 |
 |
What is GASS? |
| |
GASS, which stands for Global Admissions Student Staff, is a student-run organization that provides information and assistance to people who are interested in attending APU. Despite being formed just last year, we already boast over 200 registered members.
Once you've decided to take APU's entrance exam, or even after you've already been accepted, you have to rely on the university pamphlets or website for information about the university. That's how it was for us, and we realize how hard it is to find everything you're looking for from these sources only. You want to know more about where you'll live, about your senior classmates' lives and about the curriculum. Even after receiving in-depth explanations about your professors and your courses, it's not easy to see the big picture. No wonder new students are always so apprehensive; they can't see the “real” APU until they come here and take classes in person! If it's nerve-racking for the Japanese, imagine how much worse it must be for students coming from overseas. Just think how reassuring it would be to speak with a current APU student before coming here.
That's where GASS comes in. We are here to help with precisely these issues. |
|
|
Here to help |
| |
Upon entering APU, students often find themselves saying things like, “Oh, so this is what it's like!” or “This is way more interesting than I thought it would be!” There have been many times when we too have wished we had known something beforehand.
People want information but can't find it... Students want to provide information but can't without a means to do so... The increase in the number of people who want to help solve this problem parallels the surge in APU pride among the student body. That's the inspiration behind GASS, and we're working hard to turn student commitment into action. |
|
|
Q & A system |
| |
We've been operating a system in which we answer, by email, questions sent to us by future APU students. Most of these questions come from overseas. We find the GASS members appropriate for each question and have them correspond directly with the sender of the question.
Since its inception, this system has handled some 80 inquiries about life in Japan, including questions about the Beppu climate, the monthly rent, and part time jobs. We have been responding to questions from domestic students in the Q and A section on www.apumate.net. As our membership grows, our answers will come to incorporate a more diverse range of views. That's why we need the help of not only students but people from all walks of life for GASS to be a success!
apumate.net
http://www.apumate.net/ |
|
|
Open campus |
| |
One of our most important activities is Open Campus, when high school students visit APU to see for themselves what the university is all about. We want our visitors to come away with a clear picture of what life at APU is like and we hope that the visit will help them, in some small way, make an informed decision about their university applications. Our visitors get a chance to observe a lecture; attend an intensive English language course; learn all about our student clubs and organizations; and of course, take the ever popular campus tour.
For the tour, we divide the visitors into smaller groups so that APU students can easily show them around the grounds. And don't forget, lunch is part of the tour, too!
Sure, open campus provides an opportunity to ask questions to APU students, but it also gives our visitors a chance to talk among themselves about the university application process. In addition, we have consultation booths for learning more about applications and campus life. We even organize an orientation session for parents. Open Campus is one event you don't want to miss! |
|
|
Providing guidance to 300 Korean high school students |
| |
Last June, some 300 students from Anyang Foreign Language High School visited APU during Open Campus as part of a school trip to Japan. The objective of their visit was to experience Japanese culture first-hand through meeting and interacting with Japanese students. By extension, they were to learn something about Asian societies and world issues. We were delighted to learn that APU was included in their itinerary. “We wanted to broaden our worldview by meeting students who study on APU's international campus,” they told us.
GASS developed a plan to accommodate the students, who came in two groups of 150, on alternate days of the two-day affair. We even called upon non-GASS members for help, ensuring that interpreters were available and helping our visitors have the best possible experience in the limited time available. Both the organizers and the participants found the event to be a wonderful educational experience. It was cultural exchange at its best.
After their visit, we were encouraged when the Korean students told us that they were very impressed with APU's multicultural environment and they were delighted to have had such a valuable experience in meeting university students from around the world. They also wanted to thank the students at APU for their warm support.
|
|
|
 |
YOO Chul Sung
(APM 1, Korea) |
|
|
A high school teacher first told me about APU last July. I saw how close APU was to my “ideal university”, and I wanted to know more. Since I was busy with school, my parents visited APU in my place to see what it was like. Several GASS members helped my parents during their visit, providing interpreters—since my parents don't speak Japanese—guiding them around the campus, finding accommodation, and giving them road directions. A number of students and university staff kindly provided information about life at APU. My parents found the visit to be very productive.
I decided to apply to APU after talking it over with my parents, and I think that the generous assistance provided by GASS was a big factor leading to my decision. Even now, my parents occasionally send questions to the students who helped them during their visit.
I'm still a first year student, so there are many things I want to study. I'll do my best in my academics and my extracurricular activities, and will work hard to realize my dreams for the future.
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
| |
Ever since GASS was established last year. I've been getting more and more involved with English interpretation and project planning—and starting this year, I'll be in a leadership position. I really enjoyed answering questions about APU last June when the Korean high school students visited our campus. Being the sole international student of the core members, I was very nervous when first joined, but now I see that we are all working toward the same goal. I want to harness all this wonderful energy and direct it toward the creation of helpful and relevant GASS events. |
Lee Hyeon soon |
| |
As a GASS member, I hope to organize more events that promote interaction between international students and Japanese high school students. I'm actually planning a special camp now that will allow international students to visit various high schools. Though talking with current APU students, high schoolers should get a better idea of what our university is like. It'll take some time to get this project off the ground, but I'll do my best! |
IIDA Mika |
| |
I'm looking forward to developing more interesting projects and ideas that facilitate interaction among applicants and APU students. I want as many people as possible to learn about our university. |
NISHIMURA Setsuko |
| |
I'm happy to have this opportunity, through GASS, to show others how great APU is. I truly hope that we as members of GASS—and as students of APU—can play a part in making our university a better place. |
YAMAO Satoko |
| |
I'm working now to make the upcoming Open Campus a success. I want this year's event to be even better than last year's! Open Campus should be more than just a tour of APU; visitors should get firsthand knowledge of what international exchange is all about. I want it to be a real eye-opener for each and every participant. |
MAEKAWA Tetsuya |
| |
After spending a year here, I am convinced that APU must be one of the best universities in Japan when it comes to student enthusiasm and educational environment. I became a core member of GASS because I wanted to do whatever I could to help applicants see what a great place this is. I'll keep working with my GASS friends to help improve the APU experience! |
SAKAGUCHI Hiroki |
|
 |
 |
|
