The Tokyo Tech International Student Association (TISA) successfully hosted the 2023 Spring Welcome Party on May 18 at Hisao & Hiroko Taki Plaza (Taki Plaza), the flagship exchange hub on Ookayama Campus. Supported by the Student Support Division, the event brought together a diverse group of around 170 current and new students, volunteers, staff members, and alumni from over 40 countries and regions.
All smiles at 2023 TISA welcome party
Event moderators (top row) and TISA representatives
The party kicked off with an engaging free-roaming session, allowing participants to mingle and socialize. Various activity booths were set up throughout the venue, offering a wide range of options for attendees to enjoy. These included cultural games such as traditional indoor board games and interactive short games, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in rich cultural experiences. Name Bingo provided a fun and interactive way for people to get to know each other, sparking intriguing conversations and friendships between Japanese and international students. During the game, participants were given tasks such as:
- Find a Japanese student who speaks fluent English.
- Find an international student who has stayed in Japan for more than 6 years.
- Find a person who has full-time working experience.
Participants enjoying Name Bingo and board games
Learning about each other through picture-matching game
Much to the delight of all participants, Tokyo Tech President Kazuya Masu and Tokyo Tech Alumni Association President Kiyoto Ido were also present to graciously share their humorous yet inspiring words of welcome. Participants learned about the history of the alumni association and the origins of Taki Plaza. During the second half of the party, attendees were treated to a delectable banquet meal thoughtfully prepared by the Institute’s co-op. Taking into account diverse dietary needs and restrictions, including halal and vegetarian options, the menu catered to a wide range of preferences. Attendees offered plenty of positive feedback on the delicious offerings.
Tokyo Tech President Masu
Alumni Association President Ido
To wrap things up, TISA hosted an exciting trivia quiz session that included questions about Tokyo Tech, Japan, and the wider world. All participants enthusiastically joined the game and expanded their knowledge. The game winners received prizes, including a number of Tokyo Tech-themed goods.
Participants working together to answer trivia questions
Happy prize winners after trivia session
Comments from international participants
Attending the TISA welcome party provided a valuable opportunity to break out of the monotonous routine of a researcher’s life in Tokyo Tech. Through fun and interactive games and activities, I had the chance to meet people from all over the world and develop meaningful connections. It was a great experience to step out of my comfort zone and make new international friends, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their vibrant life in Japan. Thank you so much for organizing this event. I truly enjoyed it.
I had an amazing time at the party! Thank you for organizing such a wonderful event.
Thank you. I had a really good time. I have been a little homesick but this event and organization made it feel like back at home at my home university.
This was my first TISA event since I arrived in Japan last year, and it was truly amazing. I had a great time catching up with old friends and meeting new people. I would love to attend more events like this. Congratulations, TISA!
Comments from Japanese participants
I had a great time and talked with a lot of non-Japanese people! I would like to participate in such an event again someday!!
Although I lack confidence in my English skills, I thoroughly enjoyed conversing with new friends. I will continue to take advantage of opportunities like this in the future.
I joined the TISA welcome party with the intention of connecting with international students at Tokyo Tech. Initially, I didn’t know anyone, but the bingo games and other activities made the party incredibly enjoyable. I had the chance to interact with people from various countries. Thank you for hosting this party.
As a Japanese student, I had a wonderful time at the party. I applied alone and didn’t know anyone initially, but through the games, I quickly made friends. It was a valuable experience to communicate with people of different nationalities all at once. Thank you for organizing this fantastic event.
Personally, I noticed that the TISA council members were very attentive to everyone at the party. They made sure to interact with the participants and ensured that everyone enjoyed themselves throughout the event. I was particularly impressed by how they approached me when I was alone. Their proactive and inclusive attitude made the party more exciting for everyone.
Comments from TISA Welcome Party chief executives
- Jiatong Yu
2nd-year master’s student, Chemical Science and Engineering
- Jiayi Yu
2nd-year master’s student, Chemical Science and Engineering
It was a delightful day filled with fun and enjoyment for everyone involved. The participants had the opportunity to make new friends and establish valuable connections for their future networking endeavors. We are extremely grateful for the generous support received from the Student Support Division. We would also like to express our appreciation for the warm welcome words from President Masu and the Tokyo Tech Alumni Association. The smooth running of the event was made possible thanks to the dedicated efforts of our event volunteers. As chief event leaders, we were truly impressed by the proactive approach and coordination skills exhibited by everyone. Without a doubt, it was an exceptional team effort! We have full confidence that the upcoming TISA leaders will continue to build upon our achievements, and TISA will continue to grow and get better. Regarding our academic pursuits, both of us are aiming to become world-leading researchers in the field of polymer science. Our current research focuses on developing high-functional and high-performance polymer materials.
TISA’s event team members
