Todai Study Abraod (東大留学GoGo)

It provides information and creates vertical and horizontal links with the aim of making study abroad more accessible to Tokyo University students.

Philosophy and guiding principles

The concept is to ‘make study abroad more accessible to students at the University of Tokyo’, and the organisation carries out two main activities.

(1) Information provision
Mainly provides information on application schedules and preparation, as well as recommendations for schools, regarding ‘university-wide exchange programmes’. Although a lot of information is published by universities, the complexity of the information makes it difficult to clearly understand what needs to be done. We are building a community where everyone can overcome the complexities of applying for a university-wide exchange programme together.

(ii) Providing vertical and horizontal links.
‘Vertical’: to connect with seniors who are attending the university of their choice, and ‘horizontal’: to connect with peers who are applying together. Those who study abroad are still in the minority and find it difficult to find peers. It also functions as a place for seniors to share their experiences and hard work with younger students.

HISTORY

Started in autumn 2021 and initially communicated with a small LINE group. It gradually expanded, and around the spring of 2023, a cadre was set up and made into a group. It currently has more than 500 users.

Activities:
Information and event announcements are made through the Discord.
If you are a member of the community, you can ask questions at any time on the Discord, and other members are free to answer them.

• Number of people
  12 students

• Academic year
  Undergraduate students

• Executive Degree
  3rd year students

• Ratio of male to female students
  Around 60% female

• Time of joining
  Basically recruited in May and October.

• Attributes (e.g. what kind of personality, what kind of interests, etc.)
  ・People who have studied abroad.
  ・People who are interested in studying abroad.
  ・People who are active in various activities.
  ・Slightly more liberal arts people

How many members leave the activity in a year?
Around three members.
Not withdrawal, but they take a break from activities for the period of study abroad

How much does the amount of commitment vary among members?
Depends on what they want to do and how busy they are.

Do some members only come for fun or for launches?
No, there are not.
Members who participate in regular activities also attend launches and other events.

Regular activities
-Information provision: about one update each year.
Event planning: about 6 events per year, concentrated between admission and application period.
▪ Always open to questions

Period before and after contests/events
Recruit people who want to be involved in the operation. Members in charge will be busy.

○Pros

• ‘Thanks to GoGo, I got to go study abroad at Tokyo University!’ The joy of hearing such comments as ‘Thanks to GoGo, I was able to go to study abroad!
• The social significance of supporting students from Japan's top universities to study abroad.
• The importance of the social significance of supporting students from Japan's top universities to study abroad.

△Cons

• Running a large community requires constant and meticulous attention to avoid mistakes.
• Busy before events.