(財)新潟県国際交流協会 - NIA ( Niigata International Association ) -

My name is Zhang Meng.

Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.

I am majoring in economics at Niigata University.

Actually, my parents studied at Niigata University with support from the prefectural government. Because of that, I have heard many things about Japan since I was a child. After hearing those things, I came to want to see Japan for myself and expand my horizons. Therefore, I naturally became interested in Japan and thought if I was going to study abroad in ought to be in Japan.

In my province, Niigata University is very well known. There are many graduates that are very active in the area. I believe that because of our active exchanges, the people of both our countries have a deep mutual understanding and sense of friendship with each other, and are able to pursue a greater cooperative relationship.   As a student supported by the Niigata Prefectural Government, this is important to me. I would like to study more about Japan, so that I can make a positive contribution to Japan-China relations.

Harbin is the capital of China’s Heilongjiang Province, and is divided into 8 districts, 4 county-level cities, and 7 counties. It is also considered a sub-provincial city. Harbin is located in the south-central region of Heilongjiang Province, on the banks of the Songhua River, a tributary of the Amur River.

Harbin is also called the “Ice Castle”, as winter temperatures drop below -30 ℃. It is so cold that in winter one can walk across the frozen Songhua River.

Places to see in the city of Harbin include the exciting historic quarter, Sun Island Confucious gardens, Jile-si Temple, and Sofia’s Cathedral. Outside the city, you can enjoy nature at the Yuquan Gameland, Yabuli Ski Resort, Mt. Erlong, and Dongbei Tiger Park. There are many historical sites and palaces. The biggest event is the ice festival, which takes place every year in January. Ice lanterns and sculptures are carved all over the city using ice taken from the Songhua River.

Harbin and Niigata are sister cities. Since the restoration of diplomatic ties between Japan and China, the governments of Heilongjiang Province and Niigata Prefecture have worked especially hard to develop and maintain exchange projects related to science and technology.

（2008.1）

My name is Bok-hee Kim.

Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, South Korea

I am in the faculty of Humanities at Niigata University.

I wanted to have a chance to experience more Japanese culture, and I heard about the program for scholarships from Niigata Prefecture. Niigata University has not just engineering and medical schools, but humanities as well, so I decided to come to Niigata right away.

My hometown is called Gangneung, about 200km to the east of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Gangneung is surrounded by a beautiful ocean, and we get much snowfall in the winter, so there are many similarities with Niigata. Imagine a Niigata with more sunny days and less wind. Since the ocean is close, sashimi is very delicious, and many tourists come in summer. The areas near Gangneung are used as the backdrop for many Korean TV dramas such as Winter Sonata.

Gangneung is also known for its UNESCO-registered Boys’ Festival and as the
home of the scholar from the Joseon Dynasty who appears on the modern Korean
5000 won bill.　There are still many homes and schools left from the Joseon
Dynasty, making Gangneung a place to experience traditional Korea.

（2008.1）

My name is Tiyomi Kamimura.

I'm from Brazil, São Paulo.

I'm studying at Niigata University and my major is architecture.

I choose Niigata because my grandparents are from Niigata.

The land area of Brazil extends over 8.5 million square kilometers, occupying just under half (47%) of the area of Latin America. Ranking fifth among the world’s most populated countries, the population of Brazil amounts to approximately 191 million inhabitants (2007), the majority - 81% - in urban areas.

The national language is Portuguese; however, the accent and the intonation are very different from Portuguese spoken in Portugal and other former Portuguese colonies. There are also many Brazilians who are descendants of immigrants and who speak their original country's language, like German and Italian.

Today, around 55% of the population is European descendent (mostly Portuguese, Italian, German and Spanish); 38% are mulattos (mixed European and African); 6% are African and the final 1% is made up of Japanese, Arabs and Amerindians.

All these different people came and created a unique population, that speaks the same language, live in the same neighborhood, at the same time that have many particular characteristics.

The mix of races has made Brazil a culturally rich and at the same time unique country. This miscegenation began with the Indian, the African and the Portuguese, but in a short time, immigrants from around the world began to arrive: Europeans, Asians, Jews and Arabs. Because of this tremendous diversity, Brazil enchant the tourists with the mixture of colors, races and cultures of the people as well.

Brazilian culture is the reflex of its history and the diversification of its population. It is a vast country, populated with many people of varied origins, whose art and culture have blended throughout the centuries to form a unique character.

It is a mix of the European values, the African rhythm, the Indian naturalism, Japanese discipline and more.

Brazil's natural beauty, samba, carnival and soccer rendered it international fame.

The country possesses 20% of all the world’s biodiversity. Brazil’s unparalleled natural treasures include not only the dense tropical rainforests of the Amazon, that accounts for almost 42% of the area of the country, but also the extensive grasslands of the Cerrado, the unique arid scrublands of the Caatinga, the Atlantic Forest, and the seemingly infinite wetlands of the Pantanal.

Many of Brazil’s plants and animals are found no where else on earth. As an emerging global economic powerhouse, Brazil faces the formidable challenge of encouraging rapid economic development while protecting its biological and cultural heritage.

One essential element on Brazilian culture is the music. Samba, Bossa-Nova, Lambada, Forró, Axé, Pagode are just some of the different rhythms created in the country. And many dances styles have been originated from them.

Carnival is so important and singular for the Brazilians that the year is usually divided into before and after Carnival. It is the largest event of the country, its most democratic and joyful happening. It is most awaited and celebrated by millions of people that go to the streets, avenues, clubs and parades to dance and sing.

The way people celebrate it and the musical rhythms vary with the States. In Salvador and other cities in the Northeast Region, electronic bands play on huge sound cars, known as “Trios Elétricos” (Electric Trios), and entertain millions of people. In Recife and Olinda, people dancing frevo and maracatu attract millions of people on the streets. In cities such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, samba schools make people dance all through the night with their drums and attract others for their costumes and accessories. For the Carnival revelers, these differences do not matter. Having fun is in the first place.

Of course, soccer is the national sport and wherever you go you're likely to spot a group of people kicking a soccer ball. Brazil gave the world players like Zico, Rivelino, Pelé, Romario, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká. No other country won the world cup so many times (5).

São Paulo, the city where I was born and where I live, is the world's fourth largest city and Latin America's biggest. The population amounts to approximately 11 million inhabitants and has a very racial mixing, for example has over 5 million Italian descendents living in the city at the same time it is the largest colony of Japanese outside Japan.

São Paulo is the chosen base for nearly 75% of all fairs and congresses held in the country. It is known throughout the country as the “business capital”. Although this is a well-deserved title, it does not reveal everything else this great metropolis has to offer. Here, it is fundamental to underscore its restaurants, its intense nightlife and the busy artistic calendar.  

All those who appreciate the pleasures of food can be certain: São Paulo will never let you down. From the corner bar to the most refined restaurant in the Jardins districts, from the snack served over the counter to the famous pastas in Italian cantinas, from the hot dog to the most varied international menus – gastronomy in São Paulo is varied, unbiased and completely cosmopolitan. One of the city’s landmarks is Paulista Avenue. 

For those who wish to have the feeling of visiting the whole world in one place, São Paulo is a must destination. Immigrants from every corner of Brazil and the world can be found there. You will find Jews, Italians, Japanese, Arabs, in short, people for everywhere on the planet. They live in communities that preserve the traditions of the countries of origin. And they live in perfect harmony with each other.

（2008.2）

My name is Elena Skryaga.

Khabarovsk, Russia.

I am majoring in Japanese at the Niigata University Faculty of Humanities.

My university in Russia (Far Eastern State University of the Humanities）allows Japanese teachers to study at Niigata University through a grant from Niigata Prefecture.

Relations with Japan
From 1918 to 1920 the Japanese army occupied Khabarovsk.  However, World War II many Japanese soldiers ended up dying while laboring in camps nearby. Today, there is still a Japanese cemetery that the soldiers’ relatives can visit to pay their respects. There are also tour plans for Japanese that include this cemetery.

After Japan and the Soviet Union restored ties in 1956, a regular sea route was establish between Yokohama and Nakhodka Port in 1956. This Port was designated as a place for foreign travelers entering the Soviet Union to board trains for Khabarovsk. It was necessary even for those planning to switch to trains or airplanes to travel past Khabarovsk, such as to Moscow or Europe. Because of this, Khabarovsk became a city visited by all travelers to the Soviet Union through the Far East. In 1962, the mayor of Niigata City visited Khabarovsk, leading to the signing of a sister city agreement in 1965.In the same year a Sumo Tournament was held in the city, along with Moscow, led by the head of the Dewanoumi stable.

In 1973 Aeroflot established regular flights connecting Niigata and Khaborovsk (late run by Japan Airlines), which long remaining the only route between Japan and Siberia. It was also the first international route from Niigata Airport, becoming the beginning of the expansion of Niigata’s transportation network within East Asia.  

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, ties deepened between Japan and Russia, and in 1993 Russia established consulates in Japan.  In 1996 Aomori Prefecture established friendship ties with Khabarovsk Province, and established regular flights between the two. Currently the flights are only in the summer. Flights to Khabarovsk from Aomori and Niigata are now both run by Dalavia, whose headquarters is in Khabarovsk.

In 2004, the reserve team of Pro Ice Hockey Club Amur Khabarovsk participated in the Asia Ice Hockey League, and played in games against Japanese, Korean, and Chinese teams.

（February 2008）