Student Blog

Being a freshman at an internationally diverse institution like APU can be both exciting and overwhelming. With international students comprising half the student body, adapting to such a multicultural environment is a shared challenge for both international and Japanese students.

Fortunately, APU’s senior advisory panel, FLAG, helps ease this transition by creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere during orientation.

To understand what it’s like to be part of FLAG, I spoke with Tasya, a FLAG member for Fall 2024, who shared her journey, challenges, and the rewards of working in this unique organization.

What do FLAG Members do?

As a FLAG member, Tasya participated in several orientation activities aimed at helping freshmen adjust to life at APU. These included the Campus Tour, which introduced students to key facilities; the Welcome Café, a two-day event that provided guidance on campus life, course registration, and making friends; and the Shopping Tour, which took freshmen to important shopping spots in Beppu.
FLAG organizes and manages a variety of events like this focusing on student support!

FLAG: “A Fun and Hands-On Learning Environment”

Tasya was involved in multiple projects, but even after finishing her own tasks, she actively helped other teams. “I had my own role, but whenever someone faced difficulties, we all supported each other. I always prioritized team support to ensure everything ran smoothly,” she said confidently. She added, “It’s important to become a facilitator in discussions, listening carefully and guiding the conversation constructively.” Through this kind of communication and group work, FLAG provides an environment rich in learning opportunities.

She also fondly shared, “The team’s energy made me look forward to every meeting.” Laughing, she recalled, “There was a rule: if you were late three times, you had to either dance or bring snacks for everyone. Most people chose to bring snacks!”
These small, fun moments helped strengthen team bonds and maintain a positive atmosphere.

Skills Gained from FLAG

Although FLAG’s schedule is quite demanding, it is also incredibly rewarding.
Tasya explained that the hands-on experiences as a member of FLAG helped her develop essential skills like teamwork, adaptability, and communication—skills that are valuable not only during university life but also in the future.
Additionally, overcoming language barriers was a significant growth opportunity for her.
Since the FLAG team consists of both Japanese and international students, effective communication required a mix of simple English and Japanese.
“If you want to join FLAG, try to balance both languages during the interview. It’s important to show flexibility and effective communication skills,” she advised.

In Conclusion

FLAG offers a truly unique experience.
“Being a FLAG member is not just about helping new students—it’s about growing yourself and making an impact on the lives of those you interact with. If you want to gain practical skills, boost your confidence, and make new friends, I highly recommend joining FLAG,” Tasya concluded.

Tasya Ananda Eka S
Third-year APS student majoring in International Relations, FLAG Fall 2024

Rahman Mir Mustaufiq

Hello, everyone! I'm Razin, a second year APM student. If you enjoy discussing Marxism or reading fictional novels, feel free to say hi when you see me on campus. I'm excited to promote APU through my SPA articles, especially through the perspective of all my peers!