Experience in Long-Term

For many European people Japan is a mystique, a mystery, a magic.

For myself, I would say, it is all of that plus much more. To visit Japan was a dream come true. And to study in Japan was a really big challenge and wonderful, once in a life time, experience. Everyone that is learning Japanese has read about how beautiful Hokkaido is. Everyone that loves winter sports knew Sapporo. Thus, being a student for a few months at Hokkaido University in Sapporo was great, terrific and eye-opening encounter with Cool Japan.

The University is green, spacious and with traditions that should be expected from one of the Imperial universities in Japan. I still have many friends from many countries, which is extremely important if you want to understand the world in XXI century – Asia is moving fast, Americas are progressing in the right direction and Africa is chasing the rest of the world. It was common to meet people that speaks 5, 6, 7 languages and discussing the world order, contemporary Japanese economy or society in depth with people from all around the world. It was very interesting and time well spent.

Tutors were friendly and helpful and the people in the University were great – in the various offices, in the library, in the canteen and in conbinis. I didn’t encounter any problem that I couldn’t solve with help of someone – a student, a tutor or anyone from the University. I spent many hours in the University’s libraries and I enjoyed the environment there, especially the way they remind you it’s time to go home – with most beautiful piano music. No pressure, just relaxing touch.

The dormitory was very well equipped with everything necessary. My colleagues were very interesting people and we spent hours together cooking, watching Japanese movies, learning the language and about each other’s countries and traditions. I enjoyed these evenings a lot. During the weekends there are so many places to go in and around Sapporo. Night views, mountain climbing, shopping or just walking in the parks – gosh, it was brilliant. Europe has all of that and it wasn’t new in any sense, but it was a quite different voyage with all the smiling faces around you, so you really feel like “sama”/”kami”.

The Nature around Sapporo and in Hokkaido is so beautiful, amazing and in the same time very accessible. Underground, bus, train, bicycle or cable car are all quite convenient and I really enjoyed travelling around. In the moments I wasn’t walking 😊 Even in the Winter with BIG SNOW like in my childhood, I enjoyed walking – it was pleasant and healthy exercise. But the most beautiful thing in Sapporo is AKI= the Autumn. Wow, never experience Autumn so gorgeous. I made hundreds of pictures of colourful trees, falling leaves in all shades of red and eventually and alley turning completely yellow.

The rest of Japan is easily accessible too. For the months I studied at Hokudai, I managed to visit all prefectures in Kanto/around Tokyo, many of the prefectures in To:hoku, Kansai and Chubu, cities like Nagoya, Tsu, Sendai and Fukushima, tourist spots like Nikko, Sekigahara, Ise shrine, lake Biwa and many castles in those areas.

Very nice experience, indeed. What was the bad point? None. Seriously. Apart from ending too soon. But I managed to get Japanese food and tea in Bulgaria, so the sweet memories goes on.

Ces’t la vie. See you in Sapporo next time. In the time of the Sakura.