With the kind assistance of the Student Support Division, the Tokyo Tech International Student Association (TISA) successfully held the 2023 Autumn Welcome Party on November 15 at Hisao & Hiroko Taki Plaza, the iconic landmark on Ookayama Campus. A varied mix of around 200 participants, including current and new students, staff, and volunteers from over 40 countries and regions came together for the occasion.
2023 Autumn TISA International Welcome Party participants
Three event MCs (top left and right, bottom left) and two TISA representative (bottom right)
The party started at 4:30 p.m. with a free-roaming session, where participants freely interacted and socialized as the party got underway. Various board and card games were arranged on different tables to let everyone socialize. The highlight was the innovative "Bingo" game, incorporating prompts like "can bench a 100 kg" or "has flown a plane." The participants had to find someone who satisfies the condition and get their name. These questions helped break the ice between everyone, even the shy ones, providing stimulating conversations and fun quips.
Participants learning about each other through bingo
Students truly enjoying themselves
Immersed in culture-focused board game
Trivia quiz involving all participants
Soon after, the trivia quiz, a simple but exciting game where everyone could join in, kicked off. The questions were on Tokyo Tech and the world, under two different rounds. All participants eagerly participated, as did many of the volunteers who were also tasked with ensuring fairness during the quiz.
Towards the end of the games, Tokyo Tech President Kazuya Masu and Tokyo Tech Alumni Association Secretary General Koshi Maemura delighted and entertained the crowd with their humorous and lighthearted words. Following this, all participants gathered on the main stairs for a group picture. Many participants, including the TISA members, later took additional pictures with Masu, adding unique memories for days to come.
Tokyo Tech Alumni Association Secretary General Maemura
Greeting by Tokyo Tech President Masu
Unlike in previous parties, the banquet held was towards the end. The Tokyo Tech University Co-op had very carefully prepared a variety of dishes, accounting for different tastes, allergies, and dietary restrictions, including halal and vegetarian options. Besides the drinks already provided by the University Co-op, bonus cream sodas were also on offer, and these vanished as soon as the party started.
Game winners with their presents
The welcome party ended on a great note. The event officially was to end at 8 p.m. but the participants stayed around a little longer, getting engaged in group conversations, fun games, and even karaoke and dancing.
Japanese students said that they loved the party, especially the fun games and the experience of meeting students from around the world. Some participants noted that TISA members were particularly attentive and encouraged everyone to speak up and interact.
Feedback from international students was also very positive. They said that this party made their university life better by breaking the routine with exciting games and helping them make global friends. Event volunteers felt proud to contribute to the party's success, enjoying the whole process from planning to seeing it come alive.
TISA Council members, who spent plenty of time thoroughly planning this event, also felt grateful to everyone who helped to make this party a great success, with the excitement from the behind-the-scenes efforts and the positive atmosphere that became valuable memories for all those involved. The enthusiasm from over 200 attendees exceeded expectations, and TISA is excited about future events to foster friendships among members and among students. Cheers to TISA's future ahead!
Comments from international participants
It's very easy to fall into the monotony of a researcher's life at Tokyo Tech, but TISA provided an opportunity to break out of it by meeting up with people from all over the world and getting to know them better through fun, interactive games and activities. I enjoyed getting out of my comfort zone and would definitely recommend this experience to enhance the already vibrant life in Japan with new international friends.
It was great to see TISA and its members' efforts in organizing this event. We got the opportunity to meet new fellow students, both Japanese and international, to have fun together. Tokyo Tech should offer more events like this, as they are the base for every student to feel part of the Institute. Glad to have participated, I'm looking forward to the next one!
I'm really amazed by such a large event with around 200 international students! It was awesome:) Being able to meet a group of people and befriend them is so much fun. This is my first month in Tokyo Tech and I've already made many new friends from TISA events, marking a very cool beginning to my Tokyo Tech life.
Comments from Japanese participants
I enjoyed it very much. I applied for the party alone, so I did not know anyone at first, but as we interacted through games, we became friends in no time. I also felt that the opportunity to communicate with people of various nationalities at once is limited, so in that sense, I felt that I was able to gain valuable experience at this party. Thank you very much for this wonderful project.
It was a great party. The activity of filling the bingo sheets with people who fit the "00" category was fun, but it was also a great opportunity for everyone in the room to actively talk to each other and get to know each other through self-introductions and chit-chat. There were also quiz competitions related to various countries and regions, which helped to deepen international understanding. I really enjoyed making many international student friends at this party. Thank you very much.
Comments from the Event team (volunteers and TISA council)
I participated as a member of the event team. I enjoyed the process of preparation, from planning to shopping and rehearsals. I feel a sense of accomplishment seeing the amazing party.
It was a very enjoyable party. I'm truly grateful to all the TISA members who provided an environment where I could talk with many international students. I think it was wonderful that even those involved in organizing could enjoy the party, including the volunteers. The TISA members are all friendly, and being able to contribute to events together with everyone was a truly wonderful experience that became a great memory for me.
I'm grateful for the well-organized welcome party where everyone, both participants and volunteers, enjoyed themselves. The behind-the-scenes efforts of many volunteers all contributed to the party's success. Thank you to all who made it great! Reflecting on the first post-COVID welcome party, I never imagined 200 people would enjoy attending the party, and the enthusiasm for TISA is truly amazing. It's wonderful to know that people are gaining a lot from their involvement. TISA's supportive and friendly atmosphere makes it feel like family. I'm thankful for the positive impact TISA has had.
TISA's welcome party allowed me to meet so many new international and Japanese students at Tokyo Tech. Bingo was a fun way to easily interact with people and learn more about others. It would be great if we could do more icebreaker games in the future so new people can meet and have fun together. I enjoyed the event as an MC this time but had a great time seeing everyone talking and engaging with each other through casual conversations and playing the board games I brought. It helped me think of other possible events, both big and small, that we can host or facilitate for members to make friends.
Comments from TISA Welcome Party chief executives
Mikael Wijaya
2nd year, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
This was my third time being in charge of the welcome party and, although there were some challenges due to the short preparation schedule and it being my first welcome party as a leader, I was satisfied enough. As always, it made me feel happy to see everyone enjoying themselves. I felt like we have made at least a few people's days or nights better, and made them look forward more. Regarding my academic interests, I am interested in doing further studies and research in economics and international development, involving data science and analytics.
Ayoob Ilyas
2nd year, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
This was my third party in attendance, the second one in charge, and I have to say, seeing how we improve and adapt each time is very satisfying. We have broken our attendance record this time around and can't wait to see how we accommodate the ever-increasing numbers next spring. Right now, it is more of an intra-university event but next time around, TMDU will be one with Tokyo Tech, adding more spice to the already exciting welcome party and I'm curious as to how it will work out. Only one way to find out! As for my academic side, I hope to continue understanding more of fluid dynamics and integrating it with other fields and the aspect of business, as in Formula One racing.
Members of the Event team
