On March 24, orientations for international students entering Ritsumeikan University and Graduate School were held at each campus. Despite the cherry blossoms which were partially in bloom at the campus, the maximum temperature in Kyoto on that day was 12°C degrees.

At Kinugasa campus, orientations were held at Keigakukan Hall for Japanese-based regular students, English-based regular students and short-term students, separately. As General Guidance part 1, International Center provided guidance to the students on the status of residence, scholarships available and national health insurance system in Japan followed by the guidance on career planning provided by Career Center.

During lunch time, campus tour was given by TISA (Tutors for International Students Assembly), the international student support association. The new students took a tour on campus and learned the names and locations of buildings and how to use the cafeterias.

In the afternoon, important guidance for international students who live in Japan were provided by the fire department and police station (e.g. what we should do in case of the earthquake or fire, and Japanese bicycle rules and manners).
Some international students may have never experienced the earthquakes in their homeland, however Japan is subject to frequent earthquakes.
The fire department personnel offered tips, for example, you should hide yourself under the table or protect your head with something soft like cushion if an earthquake occurs while you stay indoors.

TISA members held a welcome party for international students that evening. The participants at the party enjoyed several dishes such as fried noodles (Yakisoba), Japanese-style fried chicken (Tori karaage) and stir-fried chicken in chili sauce (Ebi chili) while chatting with TISA members and other students.

In reply to a question that “what you would like to do, besides your study at Ritsumeikan,” the students answered that they would like to travel around Japan or would like to be involved in club activities such as sports, volunteer or charity.

This academic year, we welcomed about 420 international students as regular students (undergraduate and graduate) and 150 international students as short-term students.

We wish all the international students a great time at Ritsumeikan!