【TUFS Community Only】"Welcome Open Lunch" will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. (during the lunch break) in the TASC (4F). All TUFS students, faculty, and staff are welcome to join. If you would like to learn more about the activities of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies African Studies Center, or meet exchange students and other international students from Africa, please feel free to stop by and bring your own lunch. Report On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 11:40 a.m., ASC hosted a warm and welcoming Open Lunch at TASC. During the event, all participants introduced themselves and had the opportunity to get to know one another. Bertin also spoke passionately about making the most of his exchange-study experience and working hard in Japan. Welcome, Bertin!!

【Message for my supporters from Bertin】 2026.9.24~2027.8.4Protestant University of Rwanda　[Rwanda]Democratic Republic of Congo Arrival message for Everyone! Hello, my name is Bertin, and I am from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I am a student at the Protestant University of Rwanda, majoring in Peacebuilding and Development. At this precious moment, I would like to sincerely thank you for the warm welcome, kindness, and support you have continuously shown me. I remember the first day I arrived at TUFS, and you have always been there for me, providing guidance, support, and valuable advice. Therefore, I believe there is nothing I can give you in return for your kindness and generosity other than dedicating myself to making the most of my academic year at TUFS and contributing positively to the university community. TUFS hosts students from many different countries and cultural backgrounds. I hope to connect with people from different cultures, make new friends, and enjoy my stay here. Moreover, I look forward to experiencing Japanese culture, which has always interested me, while gaining new knowledge, skills, and perspectives that will support me in the future. I am truly grateful for your acceptance, kindness, support, and assistance. I do not know exactly how to express my joy and happiness, but please understand that your genuine and continuous support means a great deal to me. Without your support and encouragement, I would not have come this far or reached where I am today. Thank you once again for your kindness, generosity, and fruitful efforts. I sincerely appreciate everything you have done for me. （Left：Mr.Jato、Mr.Bertin、Right：Mr.Kani） （Shaking hands with Assoc Prof. Oishi in front of the monument）

Three students newly accepted for the Autumn 2025 semester completed their exchange program and returned to their home countries in August. Their stay was made possible thanks to the generous support provided through the crowdfunding campaign conducted at the end of the 2024 academic year. The students who returned after approximately ten months of exchange study were two from the Protestant University of Rwanda (Mr. Victor and Mr. Ade) and one from the University of Yaoundé I in the Republic of Cameroon (Ms. Aurélie). Ms.Suzzy, who fulfilled her dream thanks to a donation from Toyota Ghana, has also completed her one‑semester exchange program and returned home. Ms. Linda and Mr. Daniel, accepted in Spring 2025, completed a one‑semester exchange period, while the three students mentioned above stayed for two semesters. Many of our exchange students express a strong desire to study in Japan again, and some are expected to return for further studies, such as in our master's programs. We hope that they will continue to play an active role as bridges connecting Africa and Japan in the years to come.

Ms.Mpesse Messina Grace Aurelie, our former exchange student from University of Yaunde Ⅰ, who studied in Japan from September 2025 to July 2026 wrote an essay of her stay in Japan. Please check it out!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello! My name is Mpesse Messina Grace Aurelie, and I am a master's student in Development Anthropology at the University of Yaoundé 1 in Cameroon. I recently had the incredible privilege of spending ten unforgettable months as an exchange student at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), from September 2025 to August 2026. My time in Japan has been one of the most transformative chapters of my academic and personal life. I am deeply grateful to the Croud Funding Contributors who funded my round-trip airfare from Cameroon, and to JASSO for generously sponsoring my living and education expenses. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Student Exchange Division, the International Student Support Association (ISSA), and the African Studies Center for making me feel so incredibly welcome and supported throughout my stay. My Academic Journey: Culture, Identity, and Language As an anthropology student, my academic interests naturally center on how people construct identity and experience culture. My coursework at TUFS allowed me to dive deep into these themes, exploring the nuances of Japanese society and cultural expression. Of course, understanding a culture goes together with learning its language. My linguistic journey was divided into two distinct, rewarding phases: First Semester: I took Integrated 101, which gave me a solid, structured foundation in the basics of the Japanese language. Second Semester: I shifted my focus to interactive communication, taking dedicated Oral Communication and Japanese Listening classes to help me connect more naturally with the people around me. Adapting to the Japanese university style was a bit of a whirlwind at first. I wasn't quite used to the weekly cadence of tests, assignments, and constant in-class participation. However, I quickly grew to love this dynamic style of learning. Having to constantly practice sentence patterns and speak with my peers and Sensei built my confidence rapidly. The best part was stepping outside the classroom and realizing I could hold conversations with people in local shops and on the streets of Tokyo! Fors future anthropologist, being able to engage with a community in their own language was an incredibly fulfilling milestone. Life in Tokyo: Connections and Culture Beyond the classroom, my social life was filled with warmth, discovery, and laughter. I was fortunate to meet so many kind-hearted Japanese students who went out of their way to make Tokyo feel like home. Together, we explored historic treasures like the beautiful Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, and I was lucky enough to witness the breathtaking cherry blossoms painting the city pink during the early spring. Food also became a wonderful medium for friendship. Sharing my very first bites of Japanese cuisine with a diverse group of Japanese, international, and fellow African students is a memory I will always cherish. Navigating the Challenges Naturally, moving across the world came with its share of hurdles. Adjusting to the unspoken social etiquette of Tokyo--like learning the quiet, orderly ways people queue at train stations, shops, and museums took some careful observation. Navigating Japan's advanced technology, especially when the interfaces were entirely in Japanese, was a daily test of patience! And, like almost every newcomer to Tokyo, I found the massive, sprawling railway system incredibly intimidating to navigate alone at first. Yet, looking back, these challenges were exactly what helped me grow. They pushed me to think on my feet, become more independent, and find creative ways to solve problems. My admiration for Japanese culture and language has only deepened through this experience. As I return to Cameroon, I am excited to bring the unique perspectives, academic insights, and personal resilience I developed at TUFS back to my country, University of Yaoundé 1. Thank you for everything.