That’s a question I often heard — and one I asked myself before coming to Japan. I imagined a quiet life filled with research, bento boxes eaten alone, and silent train rides. But after two years at Science Tokyo, I can confidently say that life in Japan is far from lonely, especially when you find the right community. In my case, it is the Thai Science Tokyo community!
My name is Gemini Praewa Chaiwoot, and I’m a second-year master’s student in the School of Life Science and Technology, majoring in Science and Technology for Health Care and Medicine at Institute of Science Tokyo. This year, I also serve as the President of Thai Science Tokyo, a student-led organization built by and for Thai students studying here. When I first joined, I never imagined how deeply it would influence my experience at Science Tokyo, supporting not just my academic journey but also helping me build lifelong friendships. Thai Science Tokyo has truly become a second family to me.
Thai Science Tokyo was established with a simple yet powerful mission: to academically, emotionally, and culturally support Thai students at Science Tokyo. Whether it’s sharing research tips, helping one another find housing, or gathering over a comforting Thai meal made with love, the goal is to make sure no Thai student has to figure things out alone in a new environment. We work closely with the Thai Students’ Association in Japan (TSAJ ), and many of our members are active in both TSAJ and Thai Science Tokyo. This strong connection means we can offer genuine help when students need it, whether that’s resolving a visa issue or addressing a last-minute question about admission documents. We’re one of the most active Thai student groups in the country, and we’re proud of the energy our members bring to both academics and community life.
In fact, Thai students make up the 4th largest international student group at Science Tokyo, with nearly 90 students currently enrolled. This is a remarkable number that highlights not only our strong presence, but also the vibrant community spirit that continues to grow year after year.
Our calendar is always full of activities. Each semester begins with a welcome party, one of our most meaningful events. New students, seniors, and alumni come together to enjoy good food, music, and conversation, creating an atmosphere that’s warm, lively, and full of connection. These parties are designed to help students build connections across all grades and campuses. Many alumni even return to support and meet the new generation of Thai Science Tokyo students, and the atmosphere is always warm and inviting. It’s our way of saying you’re not alone — you’re one of us now.
We also take pride in joining Science Tokyo’s annual Koudaisai, the university’s biggest cultural festival. In 2024, we hosted a Thai food booth serving pad thai that quickly became one of the festival’s most popular spots. It was an unforgettable experience that taught us valuable skills in planning, teamwork, budgeting, and hospitality. For many of our members, it was their first time cooking for others, especially on such a large scale, with hundreds of hungry visitors lining up! The event was such a success that we were able to use the profits to support future activities and, of course, we wrapped it all up with a well-deserved afterparty.
One of the personal projects I introduced as president was our very first Karaoke night. As someone who loves singing (and believes karaoke can solve most problems), I thought it would be a fun way to relax and bond. I expected 10 or 15 people to show up, but we had 45 attendees! The room was filled with laughter, off-key singers, and energy that made us forget all about research deadlines. Events like this help create real friendships, and remind us that having fun is also a part of student life.
Another highlight from my leadership journey was our BBQ welcome party at Suzukakedai Campus. This was the first major event I organized as president, and the first time many students visited the Suzukakedai campus. Despite the cold weather, the event brought together students from all departments, with warm grilled food, a walk rally to explore the area, and live music performed by our own members, including myself. That day, I realized that making people feel at home doesn’t take anything special — just good food, good company, and a genuine willingness to support each other.
Even before I officially joined Thai Science Tokyo, I had already felt the warmth of the Thai student community. Before arriving in Japan, I was filled with anxiety navigating the admissions process, preparing for the entrance interview, and imagining life in a foreign country. Then, out of the blue, two Thai seniors reached out to me. They walked me through the entire application process, answered every question no matter how small and helped me gain a clear picture of what was ahead. Their kindness and encouragement gave me the confidence I needed to take that leap. Another big inspiration was Nui-san in Tokyo, a Thai YouTuber whose videos have helped me and countless other students understand how to apply, adapt, and thrive in Japan. Today, he is an Assistant Professor at Science Tokyo and continues to support our community as a proud alumnus. Stories like his inspire me to keep the spirit of support alive to give back, uplift others, and grow together through Thai Science Tokyo.
What makes our group truly meaningful isn’t just the events we organize, but the deeper connections we build by supporting one another through everyday challenges. Academic stress, cultural adjustment, language barriers, job hunting, homesickness — we’ve all been there. That’s why our LINE group chat is always active. Need a roommate? Looking for secondhand furniture? Have a last-minute question before your visa appointment? Chances are someone in the group has the answer, and if not, they’ll help you find one. This kind of mutual support is what transforms a group into a family.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about our next big event: Koudaisai 2025, where we’ll run a Thai dessert booth selling kanom krok – a traditional coconut pancake that’s warm, soft, and crispy on the edges. We hope to share not just our food, but also our culture and community spirit with everyone who visits the festival.
We’re also planning a graduation celebration in September for our seniors — a moment of pride, reflection, and gratitude, filled with hugs, speeches, and heartfelt goodbyes.
If you’re a Thai student thinking about studying at Science Tokyo, or even if you’re already here and looking to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thai Science Tokyo is open to new members, collaborators, and friends from all backgrounds. Whether you need academic guidance, cultural connection, or just a fun group to hang out with, we’re here for you.
You can find us on Instagram at @thai.sciencetokyo.official or join our Facebook group, Thai Tokodai Group. For more detailed information, visit our website. And if you want to connect directly, feel free to message me at @gemini_studygram. For current Science Tokyo students, we also have a private LINE group. Please message any Thai student and we’ll happily invite you in.
At Thai Science Tokyo, we believe in building a future where academic ambition is balanced with friendship, culture, and community.
As we say in Thailand:“เพื่อนกินหาง่าย เพื่อนตายหายาก” – “It’s easy to find someone to party with, but hard to find someone who’ll stay by your side through tough times.”
Here, we’re lucky to have both.
