I am going on a study exchange in Japan for six months from September and am really excited about it. It took seven months to know whether or not I was accepted. During these few months, it really tested my patience and trust in God.Talking about accomodation, it was indeed very confusing and frustrating. At the end of May, Waseda University opened their online housing questionnaire to all fall semester entry students. However, none of the Melbourne University applicants received any information about it. In fact, for a few months, we didn't hear anything about our application. Not until the 9th June, which was two days before the housing questionnaire deadline did we receive an email about our failure to submit one. The most confusing thing was that we didn't even know whether or not were accepted but the first email we received was about our failure to complete an application.
I emailed our exchange coordinator soon after I received the email, but unfortunately she told us she knew nothing about it either. In frustration and dismay, I had to make a quick decision for my housing arrangement in one day and that left me no time to consider about homestay as it required many documents.
The day before the deadline, I submitted the online questionnaire but realised Waseda University International Student House rooms were distributed according to the order of the application received. As a result, I was not accepted to stay at the dormitories that are only within 5-8 minutes walk from university. When I got the news I was really sad because I have always wanted to live close to university in order to participate in various clubs and activities. I felt it was unfair,too as we were only notified two days before the deadline but all the rest of the students were able to submit their application earlier to secure a room.
Even though it was disappointing and frustrating, I could do nothing but to accept the fact that there was no more place for me. So I applied for the Waseda recommended dormitories. This time I received my application early and submitted the application as soon as I made a decision. Bravo! This time I was fortunate to be accepted to stay in the dormitory of my first preference. Praise to the efficiency of Kyoritsu Maintenance Co, who managed to arrang a room for me within a few days after my submission. Of course also praise God for this smooth process.
So this is the dormitory I will be staying when I go to Japan. Unfortunately it's a ladies dormitory, but in fact I am not concerned about that, in fact quite happy. It's not as new as the Waseda International Student House and the toilets and shower rooms are shared. It takes approximately 50 minutes to get to Waseda University, so it is quite far. However, for Japanese, it is considered normal, and in fact a lot of people travel 2 hours every day one way to work or school. I grumbled a little bit initially, but I have gotten over it considering they provide two meals and it's a dormitory with a mix of local and international students. In other words, I may be able to meet not only international students but also local people as well :)
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