I entered the Faculty of Oriental Studies with the purpose of mastering all four Japanese language skills and to study features of the traditional and modern culture of Japan. Therefore in the first year of studying I was really happy to know, that thanks to the cooperation of our university with Japanese universities we have also an opportunity to study abroad in Japan. It's nice to study with the thought that you will fly to the "land of the rising sun" and all your knowledge and skills will help you to make this trip unforgettable.

Studying abroad in Japan lasted for one year. I successfully passed exams and entered one of the best universities in Japan - Waseda University. At first, everything seemed unfamiliar to me and was a little bit unusual. However, due to the fact that before the trip we intensively studied the language, history and culture of the country for three years, I quickly got used to it. Japanese people, who are known by their politeness and hospitality, kindly helped me too.

The learning process was exciting in every sense of the word. The diversity of disciplines and highly qualified teachers is one of the positive aspects of the university. Sometimes it seemed to me that I was not at a lecture in Japan, but in the Cosmos. Listening to lectures and participating in group work was really very interesting. The most important thing you should know is not to be silent, but to answer every time, and the answer will be correct, I think.

In Waseda, as well as in our Faculty, many cultural events are held besides the lessons. We often went out to small towns and villages, spent the night in traditional ryokan hotels, where we slept on futons on tatami. We cooked many dishes of Kazakh and Japanese cuisine together with the Japanese, exchanging cultural experience. We even celebrated Nauryz together.

I managed to visit the beautiful and unique places of Japan. I visited the town of Tomioka, where old silk factories were remained - World heritage Tomioka Silk Mill. I went to the hot springs "Kusatsu Onsen", which are famous for their healing waters; and visited many ancient Buddhist and Shinto temples, saw a statue of a large Buddha. The trip to the "Jigokudani (snow) Monkey Park", where you feel yourself like participating in a documentary film about wild nature, also left a lot of impressions.

I also visited several majestic castles, beautiful botanical gardens and museums. Had a good time in the amusement parks Fujikyu Highland and Tokyo Disneyland with my friends. In the early spring I admired the beauty of cherry blossoming petals (sakura). In the period of blossoming in Japan, everything gets a pink tint and even sweets with the taste of sakura are sold. In each season of the year nature in Japan is unusual and beautiful in its own way. In the summer, my friends and I climbed the famous Mount Fuji and met the sunrise on its top. But that is not all.

During the studying abroad in Japan, I visited the Tanegashima Island, where for the first time in my life I did snorkeling (watched fish, corals and mollusks under water with the mask). It was an amazing experience and it's impossible to describe all my emotions in a nutshell.

It was really a wonderful year. I met many interesting people. In Japan, I did things that I didn't even imagine in Kazakhstan, and I got a diverse and useful experience. It's great that now we can go to study in other countries, implement our ideas in life and achieve our goals.  

I am very grateful to the Faculty of Oriental Studies of KazNU, because it opened to me the World of New Opportunities. Believe in yourself and your dreams will come true.