Peer Life Coaches

Our team of Peer Life Coaches consists of dedicated students who are integral members of the Student Support Center staff. They proactively offer peer support as fellow students in various areas, with a primary focus on assisting first-year undergraduate students in their academic and personal growth.
　　
Comprising 38 undergraduate and graduate students from different Schools, our team is organized into four specialized groups: Student Media Team, Guidance Resources Team, Study Support Team, and International Exchange Team. Collaborating closely with faculty members serving as Student Life Coaches, they undertake a wide range of diversified tasks, fostering a collaborative and multifaceted approach to student support.

We are committed to supporting Science Tokyo students in realizing the following objectives:

Our commitment lies in cultivating the spirit of “learning and creating” through comprehensive support initiatives.

Through a spectrum of diversified and multifaceted activities, we aim to:

We will engage in proactive support activities for learning, focusing on collaboration, creativity, and the development of latent potential.

We aim to grow alongside Science Tokyo students through our efforts toward a common goal.

We will challenge ourselves by growing together through the pursuit of self-directed learning and thinking.

The Student Media Team provides useful information for Science Tokyo students to take on the challenges of proactive learning and endeavors in their specialized fields. Specifically, we are in charge of planning, production, dissemination, and implementation of the following:

At Science Tokyo, each undergraduate student will join a Department in their second year, and develop research plans and pursue studies at their affiliated laboratory starting in the third or fourth year. Every year, many students become concerned about which Department and laboratory they will belong to. Similarly, students will be urged to make choices regarding their career paths — selecting a field in which to specialize or whether to advance to a doctoral program or seek employment.

Available in Japanese only. (Titles of interviewees are as of the interview dates)

The team organizes orientation sessions and student-unit based exchange opportunities for newly enrolled undergraduate students, with the aim of enabling them to think for themselves about what to achieve at Science Tokyo and to make a plan of the steps toward their goals.

Peer Life Coaches are in charge of planning, operating and facilitating the sessions, which have been held every April since 2017.
　
Based on a needs analysis, the sessions cover a comprehensive range of information that is considered especially useful at the start of Science Tokyo student life. Topics include: study planning, course registration, on-campus events, tips for a career path, and available campus facilities. After the session, the students are divided into their respective student units and relish communicating with each other in the group. The team continues to explore different formats for the sessions.

Of the basic science and technology courses, the team is in charge of tutoring in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Tutoring is offered on a one-on-one basis for undergraduate students.
Tutoring is conducted in Japanese.

We organize events and activities to promote international exchanges, cross-cultural understanding, and language learning at the Global Lounge, Taki Plaza B1 Floor, and other places inside and outside of Science Tokyo.

This program is offered in Chinese, Korean, English, and Japanese, facilitated by the fellow students with international exchange experience. You can choose one or more languages to speak in a small group. Multilingual Chat is intended to promote communication among students through free conversation.
If any of the following applies to you, you will enjoy the program:-
I want to speak English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
I want to learn about different cultures
I want to make friends and study together.　

No reservation or preparation is necessary. Just come and join us!

International Exchange Team had a walking tour on Saturday, May 18. In order to enjoy the night view, the participants gathered at 3:00 pm at Tokyo Teleport Station and the Peer Life Coaches led the tour to Odaiba and Tennozu Isle. The tour took about five hours. 16 participants from European and Asian countries had a great time strolling by the beach and alongside the canal on early summer afternoon.

International Exchange Team had a "Yukata and Maccha Experience" event on Tuesday, July 23 as part of the summer events. 13 participants from Asian and European countries enjoyed wearing yukata and networking. They also learned how to make and drink tea from a tea master. "Yukata and Maccha" were a precious opportunity to learn Japanese culture for them.

April 4, 8, 9, 12 / October 2, 4　Campus Tour in English

Campus Tour in English was held for newly enrolled international students. Accompanied by our team members, they explored Taki Plaza, the Main Building, and the library among other facilities on Ookayama Campus.

• Campus Tour in English - Spring
• Campus Tour in English - Autumn

May 20　Local walking tour to Todoroki Ravine

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Together with our coaches, the group visited Todoroki Ravine and nearby temples, shrines, and museums. Located not far from Tokyo Tech, it is the only ravine in Tokyo’s 23 special wards.

• Poster for Local walking tour to Todoroki Ravine
• Report

June 18　Kamakura walking tour: enjoying history and flowers

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Kamakura is known for beautiful hydrangeas that bloom all over the city in June. Our team guided the tour in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, visiting famous spots on foot and on local trains.
This tour is designed for those interested in traditional Japanese culture and landscapes, as well as international exchanges.

• Poster for Kamakura walking tour:
• Report

July 14　Paper sumo wrestling tournament

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Sumo wrestling is a cherished tradition in Japan and also enjoys widespread popularity overseas. Kami-zumo, which translates to “paper sumo” (with "kami" meaning paper), has emerged as a fun pastime. Players face off in lively matches with scaled-down paper-cut wrestlers and a “dohyo” wrestling ring. Participants reveled in crafting palm-sized paper wrestlers, experiencing Japanese culture through this traditional game. Prof. Hirofumi Yamamoto of the Section for Japanese Language and Culture also joined the event on the day, offering expert insights into the rich tapestry of general sumo culture, and an overview of the kami-zumo playing rules.

• Poster for Paper sumo wrestling tournament
• Report

Dec. 4　Christmas craft workshop

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Participants made Christmas tree ornaments using colorful origami and other materials.

• Poster for Christmas craft workshop
• Report

Dec. 10　Autumn leaves walking tour in Tokyo's "Yanesen" downtown area

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Our team members acted as guides for a walk through Tokyo’s downtown area on an early winter’s day. The tour included visits to Nezu Shrine and Rikugien Garden where participants could fully enjoy the autumn leaves, as well as a stroll back in time around the traditional downtown area.

• Poster for Autumn leaves walking tour
• Report

Jan 16　Japanese Comedy Workshop with the Yoshimoto Agency

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The workshop was held with the international duo "Franpone" from Yoshimoto Agency. The participants were international students, Japanese students and faculty/staff members from more than 10 countries. They learned how to make "manzai" in both Japanese and English. The workshop room was filled with laughter from beginning to end, and the three hours flew by.

• Poster for Japanese Comedy Workshop

Our help desk welcomes international students to drop by and ask questions around campus life. Our trained Peer Life Coaches provide information and help you settle down in a new environment and spend enjoyable time in Japan. The services are offered at Ookayama and Suzukakedai Campus. Please check the calendar below for the AY 2025 schedule.
Location:
Global Lounge, Taki Plaza B1F at Ookayama Campus
Lounge at Suzukake Hall 3F at Suzukakedai Campus

They have also started providing slack version International Student Help Desk. You can ask questions and receive the responses anonymously on the slack channel. Please feel free to use this new service for your campus life.

For further questions, please contact Student Life Coach Consultation Desk.