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In Spring 2006, APU welcomed 1,057 new students from Oita and across Japan, as well as new students from over 38 different countries and regions. For many students this will be their first time at University, living away from home, and experiencing Beppu City and Japan. As new students naturally feel a little anxious at first, current students went to great efforts to put on various events to welcome them and to make their adjustment to University life a little easier.
The following are reports by some of the current students who enthusiastically took part in these events, along with 3 reports from current students on how to make the most of your time at APU. |
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ERA Hitomi
(APM 2, Japan) |
On Saturday, May 13, as a finale to the welcome month for new students to APU, the student circle "Base Events" organized the "2006 PicaPica Welcome Festival." Approximately, 2000 current and new students took part in the festival to welcome their new peers from 38 different countries and regions. It was a huge success with stage performances organized by a range of student circles and groups, food stalls, a flea market and performances by amateur dancers hailing from throughout Kyushu.
New to this year's festival was a welcome committee comprising of four separate APU circles (the Committee for Welcoming Freshmen (CWF), the Academic Union, the APU Sports Circle Association (ASCA) and University Festival Base Event) who joined forces under the shared purpose of welcoming new freshmen and encouraging their active participation in the variety of circles offered at APU.
The theme for this year's festival was a message from APU: "APU (up) to you" this being "APU: A place where everyone can shine." All of the projects were planned to deepen exchange thorough interaction among participants. As new students naturally feel a little anxious when they first commence their studies, current students used the festival as an opportunity to encourage their juniors to take their time to adjust to university life and to discover the right paths for themselves.
"It wasn't easy putting together a successful event with many of our senpai (seniors) away doing job-hunting, but we wanted to repay the kindness we received when first coming to APU and I feel all team members took the responsibility seriously and put on a great festival. We'd like to express our thanks to everyone who lent their support." |
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TAMMOJA Tuuli (far right in photo)
(APS 3, Estonia) |
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My friends from Estonia and I decided to participate in the flea-market to raise funds for our club's dance circle. Our sale went surprisingly well. |
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CHEN Chien Hung (left in photo)
(APM 3, Taiwan) |
It was great that my friend's band really rocked the cafeteria where they played. |
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HIRAIZUMI Taku
(APS 3, Japan) |
The Final Presentation for the Academic Camp for the 2006 Academic Year was held at APU on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7.Academic Camps are organized by senior students specifically targeting new students and have been held every year since the 2001 Academic Year. The camp is held over one month in order for new students to make a smooth transition to their studies and campus life at APU. New students have the opportunity to listen to advice from their seniors and lecturers during the variety of sessions. Sessions are held by each of the Colleges on effective methods for giving presentations and reading texts. This year, 100 students including 60 freshmen participated in the Academic Camp.
A total of 7 presentations were held over the 2 days. Lecturers, students currently pursuing graduate studies and an alumnus currently working for a Non-Profit Organization took part in the activities on May 7 - the last day of the camp. Among other topics, participants listened to talks by current students, lectures on current activities and a panel discussion about the merits of learning.
"I feel that on the day of the presentations, the participants drew on their one month of preparations and came to understand the different ways of thinking among the students through the exchange of opinions. I hope this camp helped students to realize the meaning of studying at APU and to motivate them to set the goals they want to achieve during their college lives. I hope that next year's camp will be even better, drawing on the benefits of students teaching one another." |
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WELCOME TO APU! |
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