MHPI MEETS RusNU

It’s no wonder few people have any idea where Myanmar is. This small country is surrounded by such large countries like India, China and a number of small countries like Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. A lot of students arrive in Moscow from Myanmar to study. The students of teacher training institute (MHPI) took the opportunity to learn more about this country yesterday. They were invited to the public holiday of Russian and Myanmar friendship, which was held in Russian New University. A great many students study in this university. They gave a performance for the honor of the holiday. Myanmar students dressed in traditional clothing sang several national songs about their country. They showed their national dance, music instruments. They told us about the climate, the animals of Myanmar. We learnt a lot of interesting things about Myanmar and its people:

• There are about 135 nations that live and communicate together in this small country.
• Myanmar people don’t have surnames; they have only names. A name of a man begins with the same letter the day he was born on.
• There are about 400 ancient temples in Bagman town and there is not a single residential building.
• The native people of this country catch fish by means of their legs in villages.

The most foreign students can speak Russian fluently. Their accent was marked but not tiresome. Of course it was neither quick nor easy for them to pick it up, the deans assured us. The management of the university often arranges excursions round Moscow and other towns of Russia for its foreign students. A great number of sport competitions and scientific conferences are held in the university. Moscow students are always very kind and Myanmar students are very content with their student life.

At the end of the performance we were offered to try the traditional Myanmar food. I’ll never forget the crunch of shellfish in those small pies.

Barbara,1501