Experiences in Russia by Prep Subjects

About contents of the dispatch program

I took part in the study program in Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok from March 5th to 9th, 2016, in North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk from following 10th to 12th.

In Vladivostok, I experienced Russian culture and history, and arts through strolling the city. I visited the building of Oriental School founded in 1899, Arsenyev Memorial National Museum of Primorskiy region which exhibited such as Russian archaeological evidence, and the national art gallery. Also I experienced appreciation of the ballet. Moreover, I traced the footprints of a Japanese community that was formed in the early 20th century in Vladivostok.

In Yakutsk, I learned culture and history of Russia and Sakha Republic, and the environmental problem that the region, which was the permafrost zone of the Arctic Circle, was facing through lectures in North Eastern Federal University. In addition, I enjoyed interaction with students who majored in Japanese in North-Eastern Federal University.

About learning outcomes

During four days stay in Vladivostok, I learned culture, art, history of Russian Far East in particular through tour in museums and galleries. I did not have much opportunities to learn about Russia in high school and college, so what I saw and heard that time in the field was very fresh information for me. In particular, the history of the Primorye region was interesting; it was my first time to hear that Russia had been influenced by the culture of Asian countries, such as China, Korea and Mongolia. In addition, I was also able to learn about the ties between Japan and Vladivostok through tracing the footprints of the Japanese community.

I learned the history, culture and environment of the Arctic Siberia through the lecture in the university during the stay in Yakutsk. What I found interesting in particular was a lecture about the study of permafrost under climate change. I learned that Siberian permafrost zone was a sink of greenhouse gas, in particular methane, and the release of methane could accelerate further global warming when it melted by global warming. Although It had always been said that the Arctic region in particular was strongly affected by global warming, yet I recognized the importance of environmental monitoring in that area.

About experiences abroad

This dispatch program was my first visit to Russia. Russia was the country that I did not know very well even though it was neighbor country across the Sea of ​​Japan, accessible by about two hours flight. Therefore, I was really looking forward to visiting there.

In Vladivostok, I was able to see the European side of Russia from many of European architectures. On the other hand, I was able to experience un-European side of Russia in Yakutsk by spending time among many people with Asian appearance. I was able to experience the breadth of Russian federation and its diverse culture by visiting those two cities.

In addition in Yakutsk, I was able to acknowledge the wisdom of people who lived in cold climates by seeing a building with high raised floor that utilized pile to create a building on top of the permafrost.

Also this dispatch program was my first time to study in non-English-speaking country. I had a hard time buying things in town, or ordering food because I couldn’t speak local language. I was very glad when I was able to communicate with people by simple expression with my Russian speaking friend’s help. That experience made me feel like learning language other than English.

The impact on the future career

The positioning of this time’s dispatch program was intended to learn about the Russian culture and research contents in Russian universities as a preparation for the long-term study in Russia.

I am currently majoring regional environmental studies in Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, I mainly study the wetlands of the hydrological environment. Environmental issues of the permafrost zone that I learned in Yakutsk was something very interesting.

In addition, wetlands in the Siberian region, where there is a lot of their distribution, have been researched. I want to learn more deeply about the environment and ecosystems in Siberia, through to participate in “environmental observation training in the Arctic Circle,” which is offered as a class of graduate school.

And moreover, if there is an opportunity and a professor who can accept me, I will think about studying abroad in Russia in master course or doctor course in the future to research on the Arctic wetlands.

This short-term dispatch program was very meaningful in the sense of widen the point of view of my research and career.