HIS Dormitory Switch

By Khant Naing; Photos by Khant Naing

A Fresh Start for the Semester

On January 19, 2025, the Hokkaido International School (HIS) dorm community experienced its mid-year tradition: the dorm switch. Every year, the boys and girls switch dorm buildings around the end of the first semester, and this year is special as they will be welcoming four new dormies into the family.

After dinner that evening, all dormies went straight into moving mode, carrying their boxes/luggage up and down between the East and West Dorm. The process was far from simple. The weekday dormies who normally go home for the weekend had to pack up all their belongings by Friday, making sure they were ready for the big move. Because countless boxes, luggage, and baskets began piling up at the genkan, dormies had to be careful not to trip over anything. Some items were so heavy that teamwork became essential; teams of three could be seen carrying 30 kg boxes up and down the stairs, across the genkan. Despite the commotion, camaraderie was ever present as everyone pitched in to help each other settle into their new spaces.

Moving was just the beginning. The real challenge came with unpacking. Some dormies who moved into unused rooms entered housekeeping mode, as their rooms were filled with dust. To make the space livable, they had to vacuum the floors, dust the shelves, and wipe down the desks. Fresh sheets were put on the beds, clothes were folded and placed neatly in the closets, and items were organized on the shelves. Finally, empty boxes and luggage were stored away to reveal a tidy, cozy new space.

By the time the move was complete, the dormies, exhausted with pumped biceps and sore hips, took their well-deserved rest in their new beds. The following morning, the community celebrated the successful transition during breakfast with brownies. It was a sweet way to mark the start of a new chapter in their dorm life. 

 

Words From Some Dormies

“I got very sweaty and hot.” - Kyle 8

“I’m looking forward to new experiences in the other dorm.” - Liam 9

“My minimalistic lifestyle was convenient at these times because I don’t have many stuff to carry” - Albert 11

“I brought my two guitars I stole from school” - Luke 11