On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, during 5th period, a study abroad event titled “Study Abroad Night! 2025” was held at the Ōmei Tenku Plaza (Q-Commons) in Center Building No. 2. Organized by the International Student Exchange Division’s Q-MATE, the event offered a space where participants could freely ask questions about the appeal and concerns of studying abroad.

At this event, Q-MATE began with a brief self-introduction, sharing their faculty, academic years, countries of study abroad, and the scholarships they had received. Following that, a roundtable discussion was held between Q-MATE and the participants.
The roundtable session was conducted in a format where participants could freely move to the table of any of the seven Q-MATE members they wished to speak with. Each session lasted 20 minutes and was held three times, allowing participants to interact with multiple Q-MATE members. Additionally, each table was equipped with a card listing ten pre-prepared questions related to studying abroad. At the beginning of each session, participants selected the questions they were most interested in, guiding the discussion accordingly.

Q-MATEs from different undergraduate and academic backgrounds freely exchanged their experiences while each Q-MATE talked about everything from preparation for study abroad (how to decide on a study abroad destination, scholarship applications, and time schedule) to classes and life in the host country, as well as costs incurred. It was a meaningful opportunity for participants to hear from others who have studied abroad in the same area of interest or in the same department, which helped to alleviate any concerns they may have.

In the survey conducted after the event, 69% of participants responded that they were “very satisfied,” and 31% said they were “satisfied,” indicating that the event was highly fulfilling. Additionally, many participants shared positive feedback, such as “My image of studying abroad became more concrete” and “It was a great opportunity to gain practical information from those with firsthand experience.”

With the application period for the first round of inter-university exchange programs now open and study abroad opportunities approaching, we will continue to actively host events that highlight the appeal of studying abroad and help alleviate the concerns of students who are feeling uncertain or are just beginning to consider studying abroad.