FROM STUDENTS
Step out with Courage and Passion!
Here are some messages from ‟Senpai” who have come to Sapporo International University from all over the world. We are sure ‟Senpai” who are studying hard in a foreign culture will ease your anxiety.
STUDENTS
L.
Freshman, Faculty of Tourism - Department of Tourism Business
Life at SIU
When I first entered the university, I was very anxious because I was the only Vietnamese freshman in the Department of Tourism Business. However, I got to know many friends and gradually began to enjoy life at the university. What I like most here is the beautiful scenery around the university. I often go around the campus with my friends and take pictures. I think the campus is very beautiful because of the rich natural surroundings.
Support from SIU
The university has all the facilities that students need. The student support center is very attentive and answers all questions to international students with enthusiasm and detail. There is also a department called the International Affairs Division that assists international students with all aspects of their lives. If you have any problems, the staff will consult with you and work with you to find a solution.
Message to prospective students
It was a good decision to choose Sapporo International University. I enjoy going to school every day now. To those who are thinking about taking the entrance examination, let's spend a wonderful international student life together at Sapporo International University.
Y.
Freshman, Junior College - Department of Human Development and Career Studies
Life at SIU
I entered Sapporo International University Junior College in 2022. Since I am the only international student in the Junior College, I naturally have more opportunities to get in touch with my Japanese classmates around me, and we have become very close. Outside of class, we eat lunch together in the cafeteria and talk during breaks, which is a great way to study active Japanese. I have also been able to learn about Japanese customs and culture through working on assignments. In addition, there are many university festivals and seasonal events. I was able to get to know students from other departments by actively participating in events. I will graduate from the junior college in two years, so I would like to enjoy my time as a university student, studying and socializing with friends so that I do not have any regrets.
Support from SIU
First of all, the teachers are kind and very enthusiastic. They will explain the content to me until I understand them well. In addition, the staff of the International Affairs Division, who are multilingual, provide detailed support for daily life. Furthermore, the Career Support Center on campus will help you find a job after graduation. They provide detailed guidance on everything from how to write a resume to how to use Japanese during interviews. There is also a student support room, and if you have any problems or difficulties, you can consult with the staff, so there is no need to worry.
Recommendations
The campus is stylish and clean. There are many facilities available for students and the study environment is excellent. Also, Sapporo International University has international students from many different countries, so you can learn about the culture and life in different countries. You can make friends from many different nationalities and enjoy your life as a foreign student even more!
Message to prospective students
I am enjoying my campus life at Sapporo International University. Good luck with your entrance examinations and I look forward to seeing you at the university.
E.
Junior, Faculty of Tourism - Department of International Tourism
Life at SIU
It has been two and a half years since I came to Japan. In my university life, I am always trying new things. It is the first time for me to live on my own, and I have been working more than one part-time job at the same time to support my living here. I have learned how difficult it is to make a living in a situation where I have to do everything by myself. Apart from my studies, I am also involved in club activities and international exchange program. I am in a seminar where we study "intercultural understanding," "multiculturalism," and "international cooperation," which are necessary for the field of international tourism, and I participate in a variety of fieldworks. For example, through practical training in green tourism and volunteer activities, I was able to deepen my understanding of the working environment and work of agricultural workers, Hokkaido's main industry, directly from the field. I was also able to broaden my perspective by comparing the current situation in my home country, Malaysia, with that in Japan, and discussing it with seminar students and the professor. It was a useful time for me to learn diverse perspectives and values by introducing things from my own country from a foreigner's perspective and comparing them with Japan, which provided me with an opportunity to broaden my values.
Support from SIU
There is a lot of support from the university. First of all, international students generally visit the International Affairs Division. They provide support from orientation for international students to Japanese language instruction by level and even advices on student life. Then, the Student Support Room is a place where students with disabilities, problems, or concerns can consult about various issues related to daily life, classes, grades, money, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and relationships with friends, partners, family, teachers, and so on. In addition, the Career Support Center supports international students who wish to find a job in Japan. What kind of work they want to do, what career path they are suited for, and various other aspects of employment and higher education activities, considering each student's dreams and aptitudes.
Recommendations
Sapporo International University offers many events such as presentation contests, the Seirei Festival (University Festival), sports festivals, and snow festivals. In addition, Sapporo International University offers many classes, one of which is an internship class. Even if you are in a different faculty or department, you can experience a job you like or would like to do through short or long term internships. I am in the Tourism Department, but I went on a 2-week internship at a design production company and was able to study digital illustration, graphic design, and web planning and production with professional artists. Furthermore, you can also study for qualifications. I recommend that you should challenge the qualifications that can be helpful for job-hunting in Japan after graduating.
Message to prospective students
Studying in Japan is not an easy task. You may feel homesick, have to speak a different language, live in a different culture and customs, and have many hardships to enumerate, but you will gradually get used to it. Above all, enjoy your longed-for study abroad experience in Japan! Stepping out of my comfort zone was an experience that forever changed my life.