Creation of new self
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 […]