Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan - 2026 (1/2)
First of all, welcome to our university! Is this your first time visiting Turkiye and our university? What are your very first impressions?
“This is my second visit to Turkiye. During my previous visit, I traveled by bus from Istanbul to Afyon and then to Tarsus. This time, I came to Tarsus by plane from Istanbul. Through these experiences, I once again felt that Turkiye is a very large and dynamic country. The scenery I saw from the airplane changed dramatically from place to place, and it was truly beautiful. I was strongly impressed by the richness of Turkiye's nature and landscape. I also felt that the people in Turkiye are very kind and friendly. When they realized that I was from Japan, many people kindly spoke to me, and I really enjoyed having conversations with them. My first impression is that Turkiye is a country full of warmth, energy, and hospitality.”
Compared to Japan, what surprised or interested you the most about our campus life or the city?
“What impressed me the most was seeing students and people in the city talking outside with a glass of çay in their hands. In Japan, many people tend to look at their smartphones, and communication is often done through social media. Therefore, I felt that Turkish culture places great importance on direct communication and human relationships. After greeting someone, they would naturally ask, 'Would you like çay or coffee?' I really appreciated this kind of atmosphere, where people can easily start a conversation and spend time together. It was very warm and comfortable for me. However, I think I drank about ten glasses of çay every day, so I was always full! But this was also one of the most enjoyable and memorable parts of my stay in Turkiye.”
The Erasmus+ program builds bridges with countries outside Europe. What are your thoughts on being a part of this program and the collaboration between our institutions?
“I think the Erasmus+ program is a very valuable and meaningful program. International collaboration and inter-university partnerships do not always begin with large formal research projects. Very often, they begin with human exchange. Tarsus University is a young university, and I felt that it has a very energetic atmosphere. I was also impressed by the active attitude of the students and the positive atmosphere throughout the university. For me, Erasmus+ is not only a mobility program, but also a starting point for building long-term trust, friendship, and future research collaboration.”
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hidetoshi Miyazaki