Daily Life of Residents

8：00　　Wake-up

On days when I have a class from the first period (from 8:50 to 10:00), I wake up at 7:00.

8：30 -　　Breakfast

The Dining Hall offers breakfast from 7:00 and I eat breakfast there about three days a week. Some of my friends at the dorm eat bread and yogurt at the dorm.　　　　

10：10 - 12:40　　Classes (one period is 70 minutes)

The second (from 10:10 to 11:20) and third (from 11:30 to 12:40) periods.

12：40 -　　Lunch

Lunch with friends at the Dining Hall. The dormitories are on campus and some students go back to the dorm and cook their own lunch.

13：50 - 15:00　　Class

The fourth period.

15:30 -　　Free time at the dormitory or attending a class

Chat with my friends at the dorm. Another advantage of living in the dormitory is that you can go back to the dorm in between classes and take some rest.

18:30 - 　　To the ramen noodle shop in the neighborhood with friends from the dormitory

There are many restaurants near the university. I also cook in the kitchen of the dormitory with friends once in a while. Some of my friends go to their part-time jobs at this time of the day.

19:00 - 　　Club activities

At ICU, many students have classes till the seventh period (ending at 19:00) and club activities typically start around 19:00.

22:00 - 　　Homework, preparation for the next day's classes

At the dorm, I have seniors who have taken the classes I am taking as well as friends with whom I am attending classes, so it is an advantage that I can ask things I didn't understand to the senior residents and do homework together with my friends.
The once-a-month dormitory meeting is held also around this time.

24:00 - 　　Going to bed

Dormitory Meeting

ICU dormitories are proactively managed by students. Dormitory meetings are held once a month to discuss dormitory management policies and to develop consensus among residents. Many issues are covered from announcements including reminders from the university and dormitory supervisors to matters on dormitory management. Because it is an important occasion for all residents, attendance is mandatory unless they have a reasonable excuse such as teaching practice, wakes and weddings, and job seeking. Some dormitories impose (written apologies, cleaning duties) for absence and tardiness. Students talk in English or interpret for the many international students translate the proceedings of the meeting, switching back and forth between Japanese and English.

Committee Members, Rooming

Most dormitories elect their dormitory representatives and committee members by candidacy system. Candidates are given the opportunity to declare their ideas on how they wish to run the dorm or things that only he or she can achieve. All residents vote for members to whom they entrust the responsibilities of managing their dormitory. Once or twice a year, the dormitories undergo room changes. Room assignments are determined by carefully matching students based on lifestyle, by having students answer questions like whether you are a morning person or night person, whether you sleep with lights on or off. Nationalities and years are also considered to cultivate academic and cultural exploration.

Annual Events

Many intra-dormitory and inter-dormitory events are held every year at ICU: the Okada Cup football tournament held twice a year (around June and February); the Entertainment Show at the Dormitory Festival in October; Caroling, when students visit other dorms presenting Christmas carols; barbeque; and other unique events at each dormitory. Third Women's Dormitory has a tradition of singing in front of the birthday girl's room at exactly 12 o'clock midnight. Zelkova House celebrates the dawn of a new year with a rice cake making party

Duty

As part of the responsibilities of living in a community, dormitory residents are required to share several duties including cleaning duties to keep bathrooms, kitchen and other common spaces clean, and reception duties in which you receive deliveries, check the doors after curfew, and deal with visitors. The types and amount of duties vary from dorm to dorm, but because they are considered crucial responsibilities skipping dorm duties would likely cost you additional duties.

Welcoming Event

First year students start off their dormitory life by participating in the welcoming event in which they dance and sing around campus with senior dorm students and alumni. Each dormitory has its own unique performance that is handed down for many years: one dormitory performs its Traditional Acorn Dance every year.

Study Session

Some dormitories arrange for its residents to work together during periodic exams, and many dormitories hold their own unique study sessions. Canada House welcomes non-resident students to participate in the dorm's reading club activities every Monday and Ginkgo House conducts workshops such as the English Project and the Living Learning Project (LLP), a session in which people teach or share whatever they want to with other students in the dormitory

Alumni Reunion

In addition to milestone anniversary reunions, each dormitory holds its own reunion events to strengthen bonds between current and graduated residents. Third Women's Dorm holds a biyearly reunion in February. Fourth Women's Dorm's annual reunion is hosted by senior students inviting graduates up to 3 years out of school. Students and alumni of Canada House get together for a spring football game, and Global House celebrates its reunion with dormitory managers. Alumni of newer dormitories also return to participate in events - the New Year's rice cake making party at Zelkova House, end-of-the-year party at Ginkgo House. Oak House residents and alumni enjoy a reunion trip together