April 2024 – March 2025

“Free Talking Hour”… Are You Worried? Confused? We're Here to Help!

Life in graduate school can be confusing and difficult. If you have a problem, please don't feel that you are
all alone. Stop by the monthly “Free Talking Hour.” It is scheduled at 12:15-13:15 on the following days, thestaff in charge is usually in the Conference Room on the 5th floor, just across the elevator hall. In case of achange to an online talking hour, there will be a notice.
April 3 (Wed), 2024

Prof. Aiko SAKURAI

May 8 (Wed), 2024Prof. Mika HAYASHI

June 5 (Wed), 2024

Prof. Prof. Yoshihisa SAITO

July 3 (Wed), 2024

Assoc. Prof. Koji KAWABATA

October 2 (Wed), 2024

Prof. Aiko SAKURAI

November 6 (Wed), 2024

Prof. Mika HAYASHI

December 4 (Wed), 2024

Assoc. Prof. Yoshihisa SAITOJanuary 8 (Wed), 2025

Assoc. Prof. Koji KAWABATA

You can also contact these members of the Student and Employment Affairs Committee by writing togsics-talking-hour[at]edu.kobe-u[dot]ac[dot]jp
Harassment Consultation Desk
If you feel you have been harassed in any way, we encourage you to consult a counselor at the Harassment
Consultation Desk. You may also talk to the staff at “Inclusive Campus and Health Care Centre”. Whatever
the problem is, you should not take it all on yourself. Your privacy is ensured when using the services listedabove. For Harassment Consultation Desk, please visit:https://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/info/project/harassment/index.html (in Japanese)
Harassment counselling staff within GSICS for 2024 are the three members of the GSICS Student and
Employment Affairs Committee, as well as Prof. Kan KIMURA and Prof. Jun MATSUNAMI.
Advice Service for International Students
There is an Advice Service for International students at the International Student Center (KISC,
http://www.kisc.kobe-u.ac.jp/english/). In the counseling room within the KISC, full-time teaching staff will
listen and give advice to international students with problems arising in their study at Kobe University anddaily life in Japan. Counseling covers a wide range of issues, including administrative procedures, relations
with teaching staff, scholarships, tuition fees, accommodation, immigration and residence procedures,family issues and health.
GSICS Student and Employment Affairs Committee

You are not alone!
When you feel like crying anddon’t know what to do, talk to…
 Your academic adviser
 Your tutor/former tutor
gsics-talking-hour[at]edu.kobeu[dot]ac[dot]jp Your friends & classmates Check GSICS Guidebook, HP

Feeling sick?
Try going to the Medical Center
for Student Health on the firstfloor of the administration bldg.
It‛s free!

What classes should I take? Am I doing well enough? Is
my research topic good enough? I‛m not sure about it
anymore. Everyone else is so much smarter and better
than me. I don‛t know how to do a presentation or knowhow to approach my research. My sensei doesn‛t listen.
There‛s a typhoon coming!
Most students feel this way at some point. Often it helps
to talk it over with other students or your tutor orcontact GSICS-consult. The library staff will help you
look for specific kinds of materials. And your academic
adviser will help you. It is important to try on your own,
but it is also important to ask your professor for help
when you need it. The GSICS Guidebook and GSICS
website are useful, too.
I want to be independent, but everything is in Japanese!
Do you need help reading your bills, bank statement,immigration office info, etc.? Don‛t understand the system?
Ask your tutor if you have one, or try to make a Japanesefriend. It is sometimes hard to ask, but most people will try
to help you, or suggest a place where you can get help.
Maybe there is something you can do to help your friend,too.

I need a phone or internet; I have to look for an apartment;
I need a bank account! These are all important problems,
especially at first. Your tutor or a classmate can help you. Try
the GSICS website and also this link:
http://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/campuslife/index.html
For KU internet check: http://www.istc.kobe-u.ac.jp/. (InJapanese only).
I want to go away for fieldwork; I need a scholarship; I
need money NOW! I want a leave of absence! You can finda lot of answers in the GSICS Guidebook or on the GSICS
website: http://www.gsics.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/students/index.html
Feeling sad? Worried? Can‛t sleep or eat?
You can stop by the monthly GSICS Free Talking Hour or make an
appointment with gsics-talking-hour[at]edu.kobe-u[dot]ac[dot]jp.
Counseling for international students is available from the Centerfor International Education! Or you can go to the Inclusive
Campus and Health Care Centre for help in English or Japanese.
Of course, you can talk with your academic adviser or otherfaculty. Often your classmates or senior students are happy tohelp, too.

I‛m being harassed! I‛m afraid to talk about it! Talk to Free Talking Hour,
GSICS-consult, or a faculty or staff person. Kobe University has a system to help you.
Your privacy will be respected. See:https://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/campuslife/supports/index.html
USEFUL LINKSGSICS Support Info: http://www.gsics.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/students/index.html
GSICS free talking support: gsics-talking-hour[at]edu.kobe-u[dot]ac[dot]jp
KU Center for International Education Counseling Office Hours:
http://www.kisc.kobe-u.ac.jp/english/advising/office_hour.html
KU Student Life Support:http://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/campuslife/supports/index.html
Health Care Centre: http://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/campuslife/campus_guide/health.html
Information Science Technology Center: http://www.istc.kobe-u.ac.jp/