Themed Houses
Living Learning Community
Students with a shared interest live together in the same residential unit
Our university offers two types of on-campus housing: residence hall for first-year students, and student apartments for second-year and above students as well as short-term international exchange students. In these diverse living environments, students from various backgrounds live and learn together.
Since 2015, as part of the *Top Global University Project sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), we have introduced Themed Houses. In these houses, students engage in communal living and collaborative activities centered around specific themes.
*Although the Top Global University Project ended in fiscal year 2023, AIU has continued to operate the initiative internally.
Members of each Themed House live together in Tsubaki Village, one of our student apartments, and organize events and activities based on their theme. Through these experiences, student life becomes more than just a daily routine—it becomes an integral part of liberal arts education, helping students strengthen their skills and broaden their perspectives.
AIU allocates a dedicated budget to support the activities of Themed Houses.
Three Key Features of Themed Houses
1．All house members live together in the same unit in Tsubaki Village (up to 12 people)
Living together naturally fosters interaction among members and deepens learning around the house theme. Each house consists of up to 12 students. Every Themed House is designed to include both degree-seeking students and exchange students as members.
2．Both students and faculty can propose house themes
Every October, we call for house themes for the following academic year.Both students and faculty are eligible to propose themes they are passionate about and wish to explore in-depth.
Note: If you propose a new theme and can secure one faculty advisor and gather a sufficient number of members (up to 12), the House will be officially established.
3．Various skills are developed through activities and communal living
Students must communicate and collaborate with house members as they plan events, manage budgets, and carry out activities. In a survey conducted at the end of the Fall 2024 semester, over 80% of participants reported that they “improved their social skills” and “enhanced their communication abilities.”
Themed Houses for Academic Year 2025
The following seven houses will be active in 2025:
- Anime House
- Criminal Justice House
- Gender & Sexuality House
- Indigenous House
- Lego House (Language Learning House)
- Nihongo House (Japanese Language House)
- Well-being House
For details about each house’s activities, please refer here. (Japanese only)
Student Voices
In Nihongo House, we organize and hold various events to deepen our understanding of Japanese language and culture. The photo shows a pottery workshop held this May. We invited a potter from Yuwa as an instructor, and participants created their own works such as rice bowls, cups, and small plates. We also hold many other events related to Japan or Akita, such as cherry blossom viewing (ohanami) in spring and a kiritanpo hot pot party in winter. Furthermore, last semester, we held a “Yasashii Nihongo Workshop” where Japanese and international students collaborated to rewrite everyday Japanese expressions into simpler, more accessible language. Nihongo House would be excellent for those who love interacting with people and want to explore Japanese culture outside of class!
Mion Wakanabe (Enrolled in 2021)
I founded Lego House with classmates who were taking a Latin course together, with the goal of continuing language learning. Lego House is more than just a place to study languages; members exchange greetings, have conversations, and share daily experiences. Every moment here offers an irreplaceable and invaluable opportunity for personal growth. By leveraging AIU’s distinctive environment—where students from diverse cultural backgrounds live together on campus—we invite international students to introduce their native languages and cultures. Our events are designed not only for House members but also for students from across campus, fostering international communication at AIU. One of the greatest strengths of themed houses lies in their ability to deepen learning through close interaction and shared passion among fellows united by a common interest.
Akito Sato (Enrolled in 2021)
Student Satisfaction
students responded that they are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the Theme-based House as a learning environment.
92%
students responded that they “interact daily” with other members of their House.
90%
students responded that living in a Theme-based House has improved their communication skills.
86%
Common Space in Tsubaki Village
*Each unit includes a living room. In addition, co-working and socializing spaces are available to all Tsubaki Village residents.
*For information on room layout and facilities, please refer to the Housing page.
Annual Schedule of Themed Houses
Spring Semester
- April: Themed House Student Assembly
Each house presents its activity plan for the semester.
The coordinator and Student Affairs provide an overview of ground rules. - June: Themed House Fair
An event introducing house activities to recruit new members for the following semester. - June: Recruitment of new members for Fall semester
- July: End-of-semester Poster Presentation
Houses report their activities and achievements.
The Vice President presents the Leadership Award to outstanding student leaders.
The Leadership Award is presented to students who demonstrated exceptional leadership in their house.
Fall Semester
- September: Themed House Student Assembly
- October: Call for new themes
Students and faculty can propose themes they wish to explore the following year. - October: Themed House Fair
- October–November: Recruitment of new members for Spring semester①
- December: Recruitment of new members for Spring semester②
If each house secures at least one faculty advisor and gather a sufficient number of members (up to 12), the house is confirmed for continuation or launch from April.
If applications exceed 12 members, selection will be conducted by the faculty advisor. - December: End-of-semester Poster Presentation
Note: The above schedule outlines the overall flow of Themed Houses. Each house also organizes and implements its own unique events in addition to these inter-house activities.
