Students in Japan - Living with a Host Family

Living with a host family gives you a snapshot of "real life" in Japan. It can be stressful but if you go at it with a sense of humor and adventure, you can learn so much about daily life and you can make a life-long connection with another family.

I met a young German man who was on a summer program and he was beside himself with anger because his host mother wanted to celebrate his 18th birthday with a cake at home and he wanted to go out with friends. In Germany, he would have been allowed to drink. It was a simple cultural misunderstanding about the meaning of turning 18. In Japan, you are not considered an adult until 20.

BRINGING GIFTS: As a student, you are not expected to bring fancy presents but it is a courtesy to bring some small tokens that represent your state or region, for example, lapel pins, key rings, buttons, patches, refrigerator magnets and so forth.

CHALLENGES OF HOST FAMILY LIVING:

• Communication will be the biggest - even if they speak English, they may not understand you from a cultural viewpoint.
• Be willing to ask when you don't understand. Most families are happy to explain or teach you. Younger children are eager to do so.
• Be observant. Pause and look around, watch what others are doing and take your cue from them.
• Be respectful. Make sure you understand their rules on coming and going, returning late, using the computer or phone.Just because you did it at home, doesn't mean you can do it here.
• Understand that your host family feels a great obligation to your parents to take care of you and keep you safe. They may even seem a bit overprotective. This is especially true with evenings out, boy/girlfriends, travelling. Japanese teens are still considered children and are not typically very independent.
• Do not do anything that you wouldn't do at your own home. If it would get you in trouble at home, it could be even worse here. Use common sense manners,courtesies and kindnesses.
• Every family is unique.You are unique. Allow for a little tension, it happens. Make an effort to compromise when you can. However, if the situation is unbearable, do not hesitate to talk to your program advisor. Never feel that you have to suffer or be miserable. Sometimes, the situation can be worked out and other times you need to be placed in a different home.

PACKING: You want to pack as lightly as possible. New international airline regulations limit your luggage (check your airline for the latest baggage weight limits).

Most everything you will need, you can purchase in Japan but you may want a supply of toiletries to get you through the first few weeks until you are adjusted and familiar with the products.

Clothes are not a problem unless you are large. Men can buy tall and rather large clothes but women will have a hard time finding tall (over 5'7") or large. Shoe sizes for women don't usually go above an American 8, except for work pumps. I am average build but 5'9"and wear a size 9 shoe - I have very limited choices so let's just say it's a good thing I work on the farm and not in an office!

Japan has the coolest stationery supplies in the world, I think! You can find lots of great pens and pencils, papers and desk items. The 100-yen shops (dollar stores) are quite popular now and also have a lot of supplies that should meet your needs for a temporary stay.

MEDICATIONS: If you take any prescription medications, you should have those filled at home and bring a supply with you. Customs limits you to a one-month supply. If you need an extra couple months, ask your physician to prescribe a higher dosage and then just take half a pill.
If there are certain over the counter medications that you prefer, you might bring them but be careful not to pack "cold" remedies such as Tylenol Cold, Dristan, Sudafed, Advil Cold & sinus and other sinus and cold products. They will be confiscated. For a complete list of regulations go to http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/topics/import/index.html.