The Most Important Values in Armenia are its People

EDITOR ADMIN · 01 12 2015

Historically, the Armenians are spread all over the world and due to their work, ideal skills and intellectual potential they have contributed to the prosperity of different nations and countries by developing their culture, science and education. They have built and restored churches, kindergartens, schools and hospitals.
And few people know, how attractive Armenia is for the foreigners. It attracts not only as a country of tourism, but also as a country, where you want to live, work and create.
As it turns out, the number of foreigners in Armenia, who consider it their second home, is not few.  “4news.am” managed to meet one of them, a person, who teaches Japanese at Yerevan State University (YSU) and Yerevan State Linguistic University (YSLU), a philologist Arihiko Hasegawa.
–How long have you been in Armenia?
–I have been working in Armenia for already six years. I was in Armenia for the first time fifteen years ago, as a tourist. Your country attracted me by its ancient and viable culture, rich history and I wished to teach Japanese in Armenia, which would allow me to get better acquainted with the people. I have noticed that during recent years the Armenians are more and more interested in the Japanese culture and language. I should mention that the interest towards Armenia is also growing in Japan. And there is a considerable increase in the number of the Japanese tourists, who visit Armenia. And there is also the fact that Armenia has opened an embassy in Japan. I am glad that the relations between our countries develop year by year.
-Your wife is an Armenian, where did you meet her in Armenia or in Japan?
–We met each other in Armenia. At that time Lilit was a student and was studying Japanese. After graduation, she expressed a wish to deepen the study of the language and I started to conduct individual lessons with her. At that time, I was already 37 years old. After graduation, I took Lilit with me to Japan and my parents liked her very much, as she mastered the Japanese quite well and was familiar with our culture.  I think that the Armenian and the Japanese nations are very different but at the same time they have many things in common, especially concerning the family issues, that is why it is very easy for us together. And now we are bringing up our son Aren, who is already two years old.
–Do you like living in Armenia?
–Concerning the financial aspect, it is more difficult to live in Armenia, the salaries are very low and everything regularly becomes more expensive. But there are also many advantages. It is very quiet and safe in Armenia. Here the people are kind and hospitable.
–Do the Armenian students differ from the Japanese students? And if yes, in what do they differ?
–The Armenian students are more active and noisy and the Japanese students are discreet and shy. When I ask a lesson, the Armenian students immediately raise their hands and shout: “I know that!” “I know”. And the Japanese are more passive. Personally, I love to work with the Armenian students.
-What language does your son speak? And what language would you like to teach him besides Armenian and Japanese?
–Russian. It is the language, which is necessary to know. I myself don’t speak Russian, but I would like my son to master that language. And now Aren speaks both Japanese and Armenian. He speaks Japanese with us and speaks Armenian with my wife’s, Lilit’s relatives. For him both languages are native languages.
–Where do you see your son in the future in Armenia or in Japan?
–When he grows up, he himself will decide where to live.
–If you had a choice, where would you like to live and work, in Armenia or in Japan?
–I would definitely choose Armenia. I have visited more than 90 countries and I have seen beautiful countries with beautiful nature, diverse culture and sightseeing. Armenia attracted me with the warmth of people, their hospitality, amicability and kindness. It is very important for me. The most important values of Armenia are its people.

the material is taken from  http://goo.gl/U4wpS2
translated from Armenian into English by M.Vardanyan