Welcome, New Students! Every year, Kyushu University accepts many students from various countries. The total number of foreign students topped 1,100 this year. This is a report on foreign students living in Japan, and what our International Affairs Department is doing to support them. Newcomers Foreign students are first welcomed at the airport by the professor responsible for them, university staff in charge of them, and Japanese student tutors who help them. The students are nervous just after arriving in Japan, but seem to have high expectations of the new life awaiting them. New Place Then many of the foreign students move to the International House (simply called Kaikan) in Kashiihama. They are very surprised when they first see their rooms there. Each room is very small and the beds are not large enough for them, and many students are not accustomed to having to take off their shoes before entering their rooms. Nevertheless, they gradually get used to life in the Kaikan. New Life University life starts with the Orientation for New Students. We can see them still feeling nervous at this stage. During the orientation, the university gives guidance on study and the procedure at the Immigration Bureau, as well as advice on daily life including an instruction in road safety. Also, they have to finish Alien Registration at a relevant ward office. University staff or student tutors go to the office together and help them through the registration. The International House gives them another orientation to provide them with the information necessary for everyday life, such as how to sort out garbage and the rules in using the computer rooms. In addition, it organizes a bazaar every year, where they can buy secondhand bicycles, home appliances, tableware and other necessaries at low prices. Just before the first semester starts, many foreign students take a Japanese language course placement test at the International Student Center. They study hard in this fiveweek language course. At the end of October, a big welcome party is held for new foreign students. With the participation of the President and many students on other exchange programs, they can enjoy interacting with various people. New Communication Furthermore, the International House hosts a grand “International Student House Festival” on October 31st. Not only foreign students but also many Japanese students and local people join this festival. Food and dances of various countries are served and performed, and all the participants can enjoy cross-cultural exchange. As mentioned above, new students have again this year started life at Kyushu University. We would like to ask for your generous support to them so that their life at the university will be meaningful. Kyushu University and Kyushu Institute of Design were integrated on October 1st, 2003. Following the integration, Kyushu University redesigned its administrative organization, setting up the International Affairs Department. This department handles all tasks related to international affairs. Any questions on studying abroad or international relations are welcomed. Please feel free to contact us.