Autumn Welcome Party

Here is a report from our recent Autumn Welcome Party! This year's Autumn Welcome Party was based on the concept of "Harry Potter" and consisted of 4 events (Escape Game, Red Light, Green Light, Balloon Game, and DJ Party). Before the party began, participants were determined which house (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin) they belonged to by the Sorting Hat. After the registration was over, the entire flow of the event was explained, and everyone moved to the venue for the first game. The Escape game, Red Light Green Light, and Balloon game were played against each other, and the house with the highest total points was crowned the overall winner!

The Escape game was at Conference Room 1 and Conference Room 2 on the 2nd floor of the Plaza building, which was decorated as the Malfoy Manor. Explaining the content briefly, the participants had to break the Horcrux stored in the vault and compete among teams to see how long it would take them to escape from the Manor. The participants could discover the password for the vault when they solve all the riddles and would be able to open the exit door when they complete the mini-games (a gesture game and a Quidditch-style ball tossing game). Staff members dressed as Lucius Malfoy, Wormtail, Bellatrix, and Kadsi (an original house-elf) had a strong presence in the room because of its eerie atmosphere similar to that of the original story. The small trick of being able to slip past the gatekeeper and move from Conference Room 1 to Conference Room 2 by wearing a transparent cloak made of plastic bags was funny.

The Red Light Green Light, as shown in the photo above, was a little different from the normal rule. Participants started from 4 directions and there were some challenges involved , such as "walking on one leg" and "walking backward". Some were able to adapt quickly, while others struggled with the conditions.

In the balloon game, teams competed against each other to see how long they could toss multiple balloons without dropping them. This game strengthened the bonds among the house members since it required a lot of teamwork.

The DJ party was held last. Two students from the dormitory and another two from Hitotsubashi University's DJ club performed as DJs. The party was a great success from the start. Some were enjoying chatting with their new friends, some were taking pictures in the photo booth, some were swaying to the rhythm, and some were dancing to the beat. When I felt an irresistible urge to dance, my body was already dancing, forgetting the fact that I was a staff member.

It was a dream-like experience as if I was under magic. Or perhaps I really was…

Of course it is happening inside your head… but why on earth should that mean that it is not real? -Albus Dumbledoreアルバス・ダンブルドア