One of the best methods to learn about Japanese culture is to join a homestay programme and stay with a Japanese family for a period of time. Whether you’re in Japan for a short trip, a semester abroad, or a whole year to recharge your batteries, a homestay is an invaluable experience that you shouldn’t miss out on.
Hosting international travellers in their homes so they can learn about the vibrant japan tours and Japanese culture is a common practise. Japan is a great place to take a gap year because it is frequently recognised as one of the safest countries in the world.
Have you thought about travelling abroad? Are you planning to stay with a local family while you’re here? If that’s the case, I have some tips I picked up from my time living with host families that you might find helpful.
The first rule of homework is to do it
Preparing in advance for a trip abroad, especially if you intend to stay with a local family, can be quite useful. This is of paramount importance if you plan to travel independently. If you take the time to learn the language and culture of your host family and the people you encounter along the way, you will find it much easier to connect with them.
Teach others about your background
In order to better understand your host culture, why not introduce them to some aspects of your own? Because being with a host family is an educational opportunity for both you and your host family, sharing some information about your home country and culture is a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your host family.
Send Presents
Bringing gifts to your host family is a great way to show your appreciation for their hospitality and the time and money they have invested in hosting you. Bringing presents that are either one-of-a-kind or appropriate to the recipient’s culture is a good idea. In addition to showing your appreciation, this gesture will also serve as a chance to share some information about your culture with them. You can decide how things go from here on out.
Don’t close yourself off to fresh opportunities and experiences
Since you’ll be staying with a host family, you should feel free to explore new areas and participate in activities that may be outside your comfort zone. However, the most useful piece of advice I received was to immediately seize the moment and try it out. You may have a good time with your host family and have great stories to share your friends and family back home if you are prepared to try new things and be open to new experiences and chances.
Be honest and respectful in your interactions with others
You should treat your host family with the utmost respect and pay close attention to their habits and routines while staying with them. There’s a chance to learn about the background of these folks now.
In most situations, it’s best to just be yourself. Always remember that being genuine is the best policy when staying with a host family. You’ll have the chance to share with your host family a little bit about who you are and what you enjoy doing. You’ll be able to learn a lot about them, and they’ll be able to learn a lot about you.
Is a trip to Japan on your travel agenda? If so, and you plan on visiting all of Japan’s major tourist cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Sapporo, you should seriously consider purchasing a JR Rail Pass.