I was on a short-term exchange program at Kanazawa University for a week and here is what I learned during it.

Although Russian and Japanese cultures have a lot in common, still they have a lot of differences. One of the peculiarities of Japan is its gardens. They can tell you what was happening in Japan after the house and its garden were created. They also unite people and nature, make people appreciate its plants and insects, etc.

We learned Japanese culture through its gardens and traditional houses, visiting them, watching them and cleaning them.

We also had Japanese language classes which enabled me to remember the basic skills in Japanese. During them we also learned about culture and history, in particular about Kenrokuen garden and Kanazawa castle.

Furthermore, we had excursions around the Kanazawa University itself.

As to impressions, I was deeply excited by Sinrensya garden. It gave me the feeling of unity with my Russian friends and Japanese people who worked together to make a little spot in the world cleaner and better. Although we had some people in a group who didn't speak Japanese they were OK in a country due to the fact that Japanese people were always ready to help.

I must say this program changed me positively. I am now a person with a broader mind than before. Thanks Kanazawa University.