Tips for new students from "returnees" who have completed their exchange:
Difficulties:
The first 2 weeks I found it really hard to communicate with my host family & felt like I wasn't supposed to be there and wanted to go home. But after that first few weeks being at school and everything, I became more confident in myself, so from then I made the most out of every day. Now I actually regret feeling that way at the beginning.
The last week in Japan was very difficult for me to say good-bye to everyone and to leave a great place that I had only just adjusted to as I was on the 3 month program.
Advice:
The first few days or even weeks with your host family might be really hard (everyone is different of course). Although it is hard to communicate, JUST TALK ANYWAY! It doesn't matter if you make mistakes it's only a process of getting better! Not worse! So talk as much as you can even it if it doesn't make sense!
Host Family Life:
You get to experience the culture and language so much more than anything else and enjoy the little things like helping them make traditional food, walking around town, going to a sports game. The biggest highlight would have to be knowing you are part of another family that taught you so much.
School Life:
My school experience was awesome!! Everyone tried to make me feel comfortable in a new environment and helped me a lot with my Japanese. I actually found most of my subjects really interesting and fun and wanted to learn more.
Don't feel bad if most students don't talk to you at first because they're actually shy! So smile a lot and start conversations.
