Sarker Md. Abdur Razzaque

I came to Japan on September 2, 2007. From the beginning, I was very glad to live in Japan. Day by day, the Japanese culture, lifestyle, and environment are becoming more enjoyable for me. Japanese people are very helpful and kind.

My living accommodations

Initially, I was living in the International Student Center, University of Yamanashi, for about a year and three months. Kokusai Koryu Kaikan is a very good place for international students, where they can live inexpensively and exchange their views and customs easily. Many Japanese cultural programs take place there during the year, which is a good opportunity to become familiar with Japanese people and their culture. In January 2009, I moved to an apartment named Silk Sunshine; it is very near to our research center and also near to Kokusai Koryu Kaikan. This apartment is also a good living place. Japan is colder than my country Bangladesh, but heating systems at the center and in my living room are very good. So, I have no problem living in Japan.

Food and commodities

Japanese food is very delicious, especially the fish. I like it very much. I buy food from shops or department stores like Ogino, Ichiyama, etc. Japanese commodities are good but a little bit expensive. I can buy all of my necessary commodities from the shops, though.

Language

Initially, language communication was a great problem for me because, generally, people are not good at English. I learned Japanese in a six-month language course conducted by the International Student Office at the University of Yamanashi. Then, I could communicate in Japanese everywhere I went.

Transportation and communication

In Japan, transportation and communication systems are very organized. It is very easy and takes a short time to go outside of Kofu. I prefer train to bus although the highway bus is good. The train is very fast but expensive. I can use broadband Internet in the research center. The Internet system allows me to easily search and download documents that are necessary for my research. I can also communicate very easily with my family in my country. I have no car, so I am using a bicycle for quick transport.

Healthcare

The Japanese healthcare system is very good. If I become sick, I always go to Kofu General Hospital. Every time, the doctors check by body carefully and prescribe the right medicine.

My everyday life

Every day, I wake up just after sunrise. I take a shower and eat my breakfast from 7:00 to 8:00. I enter the center around 8:30 a.m. I work in the laboratory from 8:30 to 12:00. Then, I take my lunch break. I start my work again at 1:00 p.m. I usually go back home around 8:00 p.m. Sometimes, I do experiments all night. After returning to my room, I have my dinner and then rest. About 10:00 p.m., I usually go to bed. I am passing the time very nicely in Japan.

My research work

Initially, I started with larger diameter single crystals. Then, I tried to grow large size crystals for optical applications. Now, I am trying to grow larger diameter crystals for electrical applications.