Creation of new self

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University life involved a lot of drinking alcohol. Welcome parties were held at the izakaya, where students drank cheap beer that came in 1-liter pitchers or bottles. There was an […]

Barely tolerant

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My relationship with alcohol could be described as “barely tolerant.” Half a glass of beer and my face was reddened. Later, I learned that the English had terms like “Asian […]

International circle

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The circles started to withdraw their tables by the 3rd week of April, and other new students were already settling into tennis circles of their choice. I almost gave up […]

A film circle

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A guy in my math class had joined a film circle, and he agreed to take me to them. We descended narrow concrete staircases into the dimly-lit basement of the […]

Circles – part 1

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The other essential thing for new students to do was to join a “circle” or two. Circles were groups in which students engaged in sports/cultural/social events and activities. Waseda had […]

Classes

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There were two things that new students had to do the first thing in university.  Enroll in classes Join a “circle” or two Enroll in classes There were required subjects […]

Day 1

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There was the enrollment ceremony at the beginning of April. None of my family members came, so I went alone. I couldn’t get the seat because more students and their […]

Beginning of adult life

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I had about three weeks to prepare for the move. I found an apartment catering for female students in Kichijoji, an affluent and vibrant area in the North West of […]

Patriarchal narratives

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Before 2016, how easy had it been to point out the sexist/racist remarks without making the commenter defensive or downright offensive? “It’s just locker-room talk.”“He doesn’t mean it.”“Not too bad.” […]

Awakening – 2016

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The autumn I started untangling myself from D was when the country was at the crossroad to choose the new commander in chief between two candidates. Even to an observer […]