From CampusConnect to center stage: how one connection became a dance partnership
Moving to a new country can be daunting, but for Maho, a single message on CampusConnect led to a new friendship and a shared passion for dance.
Japan to Canterbury…
“I’m from Japan, and I’ve always loved dance! I did gymnastics as a kid, then joined a dance society in high school, and kept dancing through university. When I first came to the UK as an exchange student, I fell in love with Canterbury. The people here are so friendly - age doesn’t matter in friendships, and you can connect with anyone. That’s something I really appreciated.
When I came back to Canterbury after graduating in Japan, I started working with international students, mostly helping face-to-face. Then Laura introduced me to CampusConnect, and I loved the idea of supporting new students online. I know how it feels to arrive in a new country alone, so I wanted to help others feel welcome. The best part is when I meet someone in person after chatting on CampusConnect. If I work hard on the app, I just get to know more and more people!”
Messages to meet-ups…
“There’s a dance and music group on CCCU CampusConnect, and I usually post about different dance opportunities. One day, I heard about a dance session at a local church, so I shared it in the group. That’s when a student from Iran messaged me - she was looking for a place to dance and teach dance. I told her I’d love to join her!
When we finally met in person, it was so funny. We were both like, ‘Are you X? Are you X?’ It was amazing to finally see her after only messaging before. Our first performance together was in December at a Japanese graduation ceremony. It was a first for both of us, and it felt so rewarding! After that, she planned an Iranian cultural event and asked me to dance again. Now, there are three of us from different countries, and we’re hoping to grow the group. CampusConnect makes that so much easier.”
The power of community…
“If CCCU CampusConnect didn’t exist, I might never have met her. We’re in completely different courses, and I’m not even a student anymore, so it would have been so hard for our paths to cross. But now, we support each other through dance and much more. CampusConnect works so well alongside face-to-face interactions. Online, you can reach so many people, and then when you meet, you already have that connection. It makes everything feel more natural.
When I first arrived in the UK, I didn’t have anything like CampusConnect. I came here alone, with no friends, and I knew nothing about the food, the culture, or everyday life. It was overwhelming. If I’d had a space like this to ask questions and find people with the same interests, it would have made such a huge difference.”
Now, as an ambassador, Maho is committed to ensuring that no one feels alone. She believes that connecting through shared hobbies is the easiest way to build confidence and start meaningful conversations. After all, a simple message could even lead to a future dance partner!
Want to connect with Maho? Find her on LinkedIn!
