Letter from a reader   Mr. L. Blazjewski

   My name is Lech Blazejewski and I came to Hitachi from Poland at the beginning of October 2004. Previously I was studying at Polish-Japanese Institute of Information Technology, and this was the place where I had first serious contact with Japanese culture. The university had very special "Japanese" flavor, with many Japanese lecturers and surprises. No wonder why the idea of traveling and living in Japan occurred in my mind very quickly.
  Soon after finishing my master degree the dream came true. I still remember the day when I received a letter from Japanese embassy informing me about the scholarship. In one moment I knew my life is going to be changed, many plans revoked and new horizons approaching.

  I knew I was going to Hitachi, I have read and heard a lot of stories about living in Japan, but how many of them were true? My expectations, based mostly on stereotypes, how do those relate to the real life, real people and common situations? After six months I have a "feeling" of how it is. I feel really great and comfortable but I am really far to judge on anything.

  Everything is totally different. With every day of careful watching, listening and opening my mind wide to understand the surrounding I still have the smashing feeling it is a matter of years to get to know the culture so different to mine. This is so interesting to be in the place where the deep Japanese privacy and pure traditional lifestyle coexists with the vision of western-like look and style in the social life. Interesting how carefully Japanese people chose certain parts of western culture, leaving their privacy untouched, the inner and the outer life, one so modern and close to me and the other, exotic and in many ways untouched in it's historical origin. Few months ago I visited the Kansai region, maybe it was the best moment - the season of momiji. (scarlet maple leaves season) Nara - the garden capital left me with the impression of the most beautiful city I have seen in Japan so far, the historical origin, the heart of Japan as I was told, really makes the influence with it's 1500 years history. The bronze Buddha dating 600AD gives the best impression of Japanese achievements of those times.

  But travel and sightseeing is nothing comparing to everyday life. Everyday matters, friends, common problems, and people I meet and talk to, create a unique view and very special environment that flows directly through all my perception. Those evenings spent with new friends trying to understand, to break the highest wall of all the language. The true and sincere interest of my Japanese, Korean, Russian or Mongolian friends helping me with first sentences, teaching me kanji sometimes deep in the night. These things are never to be forgotten, those people are truly the best ambassadors of their own country, and I owe you all a gratitude and respect. It is great to be here in Japan.