On May 17, 2016, a welcome party for international students who entered Tokyo University of the Arts in Spring 2016 was held with the aim of fostering closer relationship among them as well as with faculty and staff .

The party began with a welcome speech by President Kazuki Sawa, who took office in April, 2016. The president encouraged new international students warmly, wishing the best for their studies at TUA and life in Japan. Following the president’s speech, on behalf of the international student community on campus, a doctoral student in Japanese painting from Serbia offered warm words of welcome, referring to her own experience at TUA.
Among the attendees were guests from organizations providing assistance to international students studying in Japan, who explained their support systems for such students.

Then, international students served tea and refreshments at the booths representing the seven different tea cultures of Britain, India, China, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan. The party attendees enjoyed cross-cultural communications through tea and accompanying teatime treats, many of which are not so common in Japan.

As the party went on, the new participating international students introduced themselves with their names, citizenships, and personal goals at TUA, followed by a welcome performance by an American doctoral student in Musicology and Music Studies. Her powerful performance of songs with samisen fascinated everyone at the venue.

The faculty and staff are all committed to providing support to new international students, so that they will be able to receive the most benefit from their time at TUA.