Daria Maeva and Alexandra Maeva, students majoring in Foreign Regional Studies told about an internship in Japan

Daria Maeva and Alexandra Maeva, the third year students majoring in Foreign Regional Studies became members of international exchange programs and studied at Toyama University of International Studies - one of the oldest partner universities VSUES, carries out exchange programs since 2005. Sisters Daria and Alexandra, students of group BFRS-17 the department of the international relations and the rights of the institute of law, they told about their studying and expressions.

 Daria Maeva: «From September 2019 to March 2020, I was exchange student at a Japanese university, in the city of Toyama. The university was far from the city. The nearest convenience store was a 40-minute walk through the forest, and along the road without any sidewalk. And before a large grocery one had to ride a bus, spending at least an hour on the trip.

Transport in Toyama turned out to be quite expensive. At least in comparison with cities popular with tourists like: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka. The bus fare in Toyama depended on the distance (number of stops) you travel, whereas, for example, in Tokyo, the bus fare is fixed. There are few large shopping centers in the city where you can find everything from equipment to products. All stores are strictly oriented, if you want to buy products, you should look for a grocery store. In small supermarkets you can find products (such as milk, eggs and some of types of cereals), but the choice is very limited and prices are higher.

 The main subjects were taught in groups of foreign students, mainly Chinese. Also carried out extra classes where I studied with Japanese students who want to improved their English and also take training abroad.

 From the beginning of the semester, all foreign students had the opportunity to choose other subjects in addition to the main program (learning Japanese). I chose Russian language as extra. subject, as this made it possible to practice Japanese, helping Japanese students learn Russian. In the middle of autumn, a two-day festival was held at the university, where university students made interesting presentations, opened small retail shops where you could try Japanese dishes, and much more. Many different contests and performances were also held.

 During my studies, I made friends with two girls from Ukraine, Alena and Yulia and two cute Korean girls. Alena and Yulia, by the time of their internship in Japan, had been learning Japanese for only a year, and the girls from Korea came to Japan specially to learn the language, and they studied it for only 4 months. Despite some difficulties in communication due to the language barrier, we spent a lot of time in the place, walking along Toyama. But traveled to the cities of Japan only with Yulia and Alena. Together we visited Osaka, Kyoto and twice visited Tokyo. I have a completely different opinion about each city.

 Kyoto showed us as a small piece of the history of Japan: narrow streets, paving stones, Japanese women and Japanese men in kimonos. And Osaka completely opposite to Kyoto. Osaka look like Chicago, as it is presented to us in modern films, but not from the criminal side, but from the architecture and atmosphere prevailing in the city.

 Tokyo has nothing in common with this cities. Arriving in Tokyo, I imagined it as a place where everyone was in a hurry somewhere, but in fact, many Japanese were kind and helpful, they always stopped and asked if we needed help, especially in the Tokyo subway. It was amazing to notice how much the city was different from district to region. The bustling, low-lying, nearby buildings of the Korean area, and the spacious, luxurious, skyscrapered area of Roppongi. Traveling in Japan and studying at a Japanese university, helped me better understand the culture of Japan, its traditions, mentality. Each of the cities in Japan is unique in its own way, and it takes a lot of time to fully explore at least one of them».

 Alexandra Maeva: “The internship took place from September 25, 2019 to February 08, 2020. On the campus of Higasi-kuromaki. It is located far enough from the city, which is quite inconvenient, since the only nearest minimarket is a 30-minute walk from the hostel. However, it is worth noting that the places are picturesque and a walk to the store and back can be enjoyable. The store is open around the clock and there you can find all the necessities, as well as drink coffee or eat o-bento, Japanese lunch. But for large purchases, you still need to go to the city.

 Public transport in Toyama is expensive. The fare system is different from ours. In Russia, the fare is fixed, no matter how many stops you go, the price will be the same, but in Toyama it varies depending on the stop. The university is at the final stop, so travel from the hostel to the city center will cost 700 yen (485 rubles). However, traveling to the city center to get to the store is not necessary, there are two large supermarkets on the way to the center, the fare to them is 460-500 yen ( 319-347 rubles). Another unpleasant moment was that the last bus to the university leaves at 16:55. If you do not have time to catch a bus at this time, you will have to return to the dormitory by taxi.

 Traditional Japanese desserts are a little specific and not everyone will like it, which cannot be said about Japanese pastries. Donuts in Japan are very tasty and you can find them in any store, as well as at the checkout you can order a cake. Unlike Russia, in Japan, cake can only be bought to order. From the moment of ordering to receiving the cake, 3-4 days may elapse.

 Another thing worth trying in Japan is Yakiniku, fried meat. Its difference is that you yourself fry the meat right at your table. Together with thinly cut meat, you are also served sauces, vegetables and various snacks.

 During an internship in Toyama, a bear was spotted nearby, so the teachers highly recommended that if you were late for the last bus, stay in the city and not go to the store on foot, since the road goes through the forest. We never saw a bear, but monkeys can become another problem that may prevent you from going to the store or returning from it.

 When you look at them you just want to stroke them. However, outwardly they are cute, but quite aggressive. Just at that time they had cubs, so walking next to the flock was dangerous. In cases where a monkey sits on the path, you must cross the other side of the road or the leader himself will overtake you on it. Once returning from a store on a forest trail to the dormitory, a whole flock gathered and had to go around for another hour.

 Toyama has nowhere to go. Of all the entertainment, this is the bowling alley, cinema and Toyama Castle, also known as Azumi Castle.

 On the inside of the castle is a small garden where you can take a walk, while on the outside it is surrounded by a river along which sakura trees grow. Spring should be very beautiful.

 All the trees are sakura, standing on the bridge in the spring you can get such photos.

 Bowling and a cinema in Japan are a very expensive form of entertainment. For the cost of one ticket to a regular room, in Russia one could buy a ticket in VIP. As for bowling, there the payment system is different from ours. In Russia, people pay for the time spent on the track, for an hour, for two, etc., while you can go at least a crowd of 10 people, while in Japan you have to pay: 1) for each person from your company; 2) for each game held (10 shots per person). It turns out that at the end of the game you can see a fabulous amount, which you can buy from the heart in the store.

 There are few entertainments in Toyama, but you don’t have to worry that there will be absolutely nothing to do. University teachers organize various activities and trips for foreign students. So we went to Kuroba.

 The place is very beautiful, but it is better to visit it in the summer. The bridge is located high in the mountains, which already indicates that it will be cool there. In addition, you have to go to it in an open trailer, so you can easily freeze. At the top there are many vending machines with drinks, including hot drinks, but you should not rely on them because there are a lot of people and probably by the time you arrive there will not be any hot drinks there (as it happened in my case).

 In addition to general events for foreign students, you can ask the teacher to take you wherever you want, and if they are free, they will certainly help you get there».

 Daria Maeva and Alexandra Maeva expressed great gratitude to the VSUES and the International Department of the University for the opportunity to study in another country, because this is an unforgettable experience.