Hello everyone!
The last semester went by incredibly quickly, and it involved a whole host of events to kick off the post-pandemic season. Through these events, we aimed to bring back a vibrant energy to GraSPP and an opportunity for our community to mix together. To recap, these events included a student picnic at Yoyogi Park, where we welcomed the new students, which was followed by a sizzling Halloween-themed BBQ (one of our favourites) and a night filled with fun and laughter! Next, we had Alumni and student day, where we had the incredible opportunity to reconnect with past GraSPP students and have meaningful discussions centred around their career development.
We have also had some Nomikai Nights that we’ve enjoyed while being out and about in Tokyo, offering a casual space for many students to unwind and connect over drinks and stories. These gatherings were a way for us to socialise in a post-pandemic setting where meeting each other online was no longer the enforced norm.
Of course, not every celebration had to be outside the campus because Culture Nights were hosted at the student lounge! Given the sheer diversity of our student community, it was a great opportunity to be a tourist among different cultures by trying out different cuisines in the comfort of our lounge. It was a practical and delicious show-and-tell for students from different corners of the world.
All of the above events culminated in our End-of-Year Party, which was a grand affair where we enjoyed seeing so many of the students come along, let loose and have a groovy time. We hope it provided a memorable way to celebrate the efforts of all the students in their academics and professional lives. It was a night filled with music, dance, games, and all sorts that left us with a smile on our faces as we ended 2023 on a high note.
Amplifying Students Voices
Taking a detour from social events, we also wanted to highlight an important step in creating an open and safe space in the GraSPP community. Communication, in general, is quite open and frank within the GraSPP community and Student Council, but we also understand that some people would prefer to communicate through indirect means or under anonymity for various reasons. That’s why we introduced the Student Council Suggestion Box, which is always available in the student lounge itself. You may simply write down your ideas, concerns, or feedback and drop it in the box. The box is checked regularly by the Student Council, and we discuss each submission thoroughly in our weekly meetings to ensure that your voice is heard. We’ve also tried to revamp the lounge with free amenities, homey plants and seasonal decorations to improve QoL.
With that being said, we hope you have all enjoyed the 2023 Autumn semester as much as we have. In the 2024 Spring season, we hope to take on more challenges and bring you even more exciting events! Thanks for reading this far and see you all soon.
Love,
GraSPP Student Council