Good evening, everyone!

This is real pleasure to speak before so special audience.

My name is Kinga Gomola, I come from Poland, I was making my PhD research at Warsaw University. Just after the defense of my PhD thesis I was invited by Prof. Takezoe to continue and develop my work and deepen my knowledge in his laboratory. Since a one year I’ve been working in Department of Organic and Polymeric Materials in Professor Takezoe Group. Currently, from six months, I’m JSPS fellow. Having such an opportunity, I would like to thank very warmly Prof. Takezoe for providing me excellent conditions to my work, for scientific guidance and interesting discussions.

I would like to share with you some of my expressions concerning living and working in Japan. Titech is a great place for doing research, there are advanced facilities and materials. I’ve never had better opportunity for my research, however working in Japan was a real challenge for me, because of a new environment, different culture and long distance from my home country. Let me tell you about a few differences between working at Warsaw University and at Tokodai. At Warsaw University some of the physico-chemical measurements were made by technicians and qualified personnel. Here, in Tokodai, all measurements are made by individuals. It means, that very fast I had to learn how to operate some of the analytical equipments. Fortunately, I could count on help of others members from laboratory.

I also observed difference between researchers in Europe and researchers in Japan. It concerns organization and schedule of work. I noticed that in Japan researchers usually stay at work much longer than researchers in Europe. Consequently the Japanese don’t take their work to home. In Europe researchers usually stay in the laboratory shorter than in Japan, but quite often they take their work to home.

Beside of my work other things took my attention. I was particularly impressed by the modern architecture in Japan: the huge and tall buildings and the modern transport system. When I came to Japan I clearly understood why it’s classified as developed and industrialized country. But close to very modern city I also found many historical places, beautiful traditional buildings, shrines and temples. I was impressed by Japanese nature: National Parks, mountains and waterfalls. I also should not forget about the Japanese food. Beside that is very tasty and healthy I’m really enchanted by excellent style of serving and decorating the meals in Japanese restaurants.

At the end of my short speech I would like to emphasize, that people in Japan are very kindly, helpful and hospitable.

I hope that you have similar such a pleasant experience.

Thank you for your attention.

Dr. Kinga GOMOLA