Introduction

Since its founding Sophia University has always placed emphasis on its international character. Student dormitories at Sophia have made significant contributions to strengthening this characteristic of the University. The very first student dormitory, opened in the pre-war era, served as a place for interaction and communication among students with diverse backgrounds; it accepted not only students from Catholic families, but also students from other universities and from overseas. Having gone through a period of postwar turmoil and of student activism, Sophia’s student dormitory became a residential facility which respects students’ autonomy under the guidance of a Jesuit priest who served as the head dormitory supervisor. Starting in the 1970s, as the university decided to further strengthen its international character, the student dormitory has come to be regarded as a venue for international cultural exchange and for nurturing leaders who would go on to work on the global stage. Today, Sophia’s student dormitories continue to pursue this mission. This online exhibition has been organized to mark the centennial anniversary of the naming of the student dormitory as “St. Aloysius Hall.” That dormitory, consisting of two buildings from the founding of Sophia, was given this name in 1920. This exhibition introduces the history of Sophia student dormitories by focusing on three key terms: internationalization, Catholic education, and student self-government.