The student is to become an active member of his or her host family, assuming any duties and domestic responsibilities normally expected in that household. The student must obtain the permission of the host family for various activities as determined and must accept any curfews discipline imposed. The curfew is 9 p.m. In circumstances whereby the student will be late or activities will extend past this time, students must obtain permission from their host family. The host family will provide all meals and living conditions as enjoyed by the rest of the family. Your host family is your home in Japan. Your host mother and father act as your parents while you are here and it is hoped that your host brothers and sisters will fill the same roll as they do in your real home. Family customs, habits, traditions are different, and that is one reason you are an exchange student to learn how things are done in a foreign land through first-hand experience. Your host Club, in accordance with District policy, Determines the number of host families and when the students will move to their next home. Sometimes these moves are a bit traumatic, as attachments made during one stay are very deep, and the student may not want to move. One major consideration of the Program is to expose each student to as wide an experience as possible, and this means living in at least three or four homes. These are times when the planned host families must be changed due to personal or family reasons, and other times when the length of stay is either lengthened or shortened for these same reasons. If you are having a problem with your present host, we ask that you bring this to the attention of your Counselor or local Committeeman immediately and it will be given full and immediate attention. Your host family will try to teach you the essentials of good manners in a Japanese context. Pay close attention, for you have much to learn. Everyone realizes that you will make mistakes in the beginning; that’s no problem. We expect you to be willing learners. Learn how to use the chopsticks the right way in the beginning. This just takes a few hours. Your host mother will tell you if these is a special order in which the food should be taken; keep your eyes open and follow the leader. Learn how to squat Japanese style; watch and practice the traditional way of bowing to greet people. These are certain expressions used when beginning a meal, leaving or coming home, answering the telephone, greeting people or apologizing, expressing gratitude, etc. Your host family will introduce you, sometimes rapidly, sometimes gradually into the Japanese diet. Raw fish is not only considered a delicacy, it is. You may be a bit surprised at the types of fish served, and asking too many questions before trying some may send your gastric juices into a panic. A rule of thumb; EAT IT FIRST and ASK QUESTIONS LATER. A basic policy in Japanese cooking is to cook vegetable as little as possible, and this makes very good sense. You will be expected to eat plenty, and don’t be surprised if you are repeatedly asked to take more and more. When you are full, say so. If you are hungry, say so. If you can’t communicate these facts in the beginning, use sign language. They will get the message.
The under-mentioned are some thoughts for you to remember and understand:
- Use the telephone with the permission of the host family and try to finish the talks within three minutes or so, as long talks sometimes give much trouble to your host. Overseas phone calls are to paid for personally.
- About the use of the mobile phone
The consent of the host club and also the consent of the host family are necessary about the use of the mobile phone for you. Still more the charge for a call of the every month should be individual payment. You should do each self-administration about the use of it because the cost becomes considerably large, so we advise you to use the prepaid method. In addition, the Japanese acquisition is the most important to make exchange student life in Japan the thing which there is satisfaction for you. Therefore let’s make the environment that can talk with Japanese by yourself as much as possible. That I talk in a native language (English) with a mobile phone is subtracted by the Japanese acquisition. Therefore you please have awareness toward the use of it. - About the use of the Internet The use of the Internet needs the permission of the host family. Furthermore, after 0:00 a.m. of the Japan time and the use before 7:00 a.m. prohibit it. In addition, please do not do the family of the own country or the Internet communication with the friend frequently. The communication with the own country leads to promoting homesickness, In addition, concerning difference in time with Japan and your country, this makes that your school life and life with the host family may be out of order. Please be careful enough.
- When going out at night, you should have express permission of your host; you should have a
companion and should return by 9:00pm. - Staying out with your host is allowed and even though you should have permission of your Counselor.
- Various practices such as “Tea Ceremony” and “Flower Arranging” should be done at your own
expense. - When being absent from school, each host should obtain permission from the school and, in the case
of long absence, you should discuss it with your Counselor and local Committeeman. - Daily necessities such as clothes are to be looked after by yourself. You should you’re your clothes
yourself and when sending them to the cleaners, then it is at your own expense. - You should write to your parents, to your Sponsor Club, to your Sponsor District Committee as
often as possible. - If you have any problem, talk them over with your host parents or your Counselor without reservation. It is desirable that you will meet your Counselor regularly — at least twice a month.
- The following are strictly forbidden:
a) Driving a motor vehicle of any kind and riding a motorcycle, even as a passenger.
b) Drinking alcoholic beverages as well as smoking.
c) Drugs.
d) Romantic attachments.