Homestay Guide

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Homestay Guide
The guidelines in this brochure are to help you
enjoy and learn from your homestay. Please keep themin mind.
Try to learn Japanese culture and ways of life
through interest and questions. You must rememberthat you are an ambassador of your country and theimpression you leave will depend on your attitude andbehavior.
Enjoy your homestay!

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Introduction
When you take part in a homestay in Japan, it
is important for you to know that host families
participate in the homestay program out of their desire
to share a cross-cultural learning experience with you.
In Japan it is not common to entertain visitors – evenother Japanese – in one’s home. You should keep inmind that your host family will be making as many
adjustments as you will during the homestay period.
Your host family might treat you as a guest at first.
They may have difficulty being relaxed and casual witha visiting foreigner, so you should make and effort tobreak through this possible barrier by trying to fit into
the household routine as naturally as possible. Try tojoin in the household chores and let the family knowthat you don’t expect to be entertained every minute.
You may even find that they have made special
preparations for your visit.
Although the objective of the homestay is toenable you to live as a member of the Japanese family,
you may find your host family uncertain about whether
or not you will really be interested in following theirnormal household routine. It therefore happens that by
the time you arrive they have already scheduled
numerous activities for you and that you may have nofree time at all. In Japan it is normal to “honor theguest with a loss of privacy” You may need to ask freetime. We hope you are sensitive to the fact that yourvisit may be a source of some pride to your host family.

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Guidelines for Homestay Program
All host families will accept you with genuine
volunteer spirit. This program aims to enhancemutual understanding of different cultures. The
family would like to learn from you as much as you
hope to learn from them.
The host family will try to accept you as a memberof their family, not as a guest.
Each family has a different lifestyle. In somefamilies both parents work, and you may have tospend more time by yourself. Try to find ways tooccupy your time without waiting for your hosts tooffer something.
Please discuss house rules with you host, such as
television and computer use, curfew times, etc.
Never invite your friends or guests to your Japanesehome without the host’s permission.
When you wish to make a phone call, ask your hostfamily when it would be permissible to make andreceive calls. If you make international calls fromthe host’s house, remember to use collect calls, andyou must not talk for a long time. YOUR HOST
FAMILY CANNOT PAY FOR YOUR CALLS.
When dining out at restaurants, going on outings,
or doing other activities with you host family which
require expenses such as admission fees, you should
offer to pay for yourself although they mightsometimes wish to treat you.

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Meal times are important in most families and you
should find out what time your host family usually
has their meals. If you intend to miss a meal, Pleasetell your host family beforehand. When something
unfamiliar is served, try it first. If, however, youfind that you can’t eat it, please explain why in apolite manner. Tasting Japanese food is one of theunique cultural experiences you will have at yourhomestay.
While you are at homestay, clean up after yourself
and keep your room neat. Make your bed and doyour own laundry.
If you have any problems or troubles, please try todiscuss them first with your host family.
“EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!!” Try not to haveany
excessive
expectations
orpersonalpreconceptions. Try to adjust to all kinds ofsituations. Your host family also hopes to share ahappy time with you.
Please write a thank you letter to your host family
to express your appreciation.
If you wish to visit your host family again in thefuture, you should contact the host beforehand andask for their permission.

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