Yeah, generalisations about weather are difficult... we have the whole "four seasons in one day" thing going on here, so you can never tell! I looked up the weather for Tokyo, but it's all averages so it's not so useful. I'm hoping it doesn't get too hot though. Excitement is definitely ramping up!

I went to Japan in 2007/2008 for five weeks, to my school's sister schools in Tokyo and Kochi - we were at school in Tokyo but only went for 2 days in Kochi as it was winter holidays most of the time. It was fun ^_^ That's mostly why I wanted to go on exchange, though it's also a gap year equivalent for me - I finished matric/college/whatever-you-call-it last year. I wanted to do something useful (but not uni, I don't think I could cope without a break) and improve my Japanese I can't actually remember why I got interested in Japan (I think I was like 5) but I like the language so I've continued with it, and I really enjoyed going last time! How about you?

Nice to meet you Lucie! I'm Morgan, but I tend to get called Mog or Morgy (^_^). (I use cherryblossommog as a user name 'cuz it's unusual enough that I can use it most everywhere, so I remember it!). I'm glad there's someone to talk to on the forums too It makes things more exciting! I'm going for 10 months, you?

I can't wait to meet everyone either! Come on everyone, it's a forum not a private discussion! I don't mind planes (which is lucky, you need them to get anywhere from here!), and yes, I'm rather sick of plane rides at this point! I'm sure you'll be ok, everyone will be really excited and if you're in Sydney it's only one flight (?).

That's cool you know about your host families! I haven't heard anything yet, but I'm hoping soon. Wow, a family of 2 and a family of 6 makes for a bit of a change! Haha, good luck stocking up on the gifts! It's nice that they're all in the same area, too.

That's ok ^_^ Slip-ons are definitely much easier in Japan... The sneakers I'm taking have laces, but I usually just leave them done up and use them like slip ons anyway. Space/weight considerations aside, I guess it depends how quick you are with laces!

I'm organised but I'm still not sure if should take everything I'm going to. I'm sad about having to leave so much stuff behind though... Good luck!

Haha, I think I wrote one too XD

Oh, wow, five weeks! That’s quite a long time! So you’d know quite a lot about Japan! Did you do your five week exchange all by yourself back then, or with your Aussie school? I actually went and did a similar thing (but for only two weeks) with a host family in Japan (and other students from my Australian school), and I also had a lot of fun, which is why I want to go back. I guess I’ll also be that inevitable person whose interest in Japan stemmed from watching anime and playing video games as a kid. That was my platform into learning about the culture and the language, and from there… well, here we are! :’D

Ah, so Morgan (Mog/Morgy! ), I’m guessing you’re about 18? Did you also just finish school/ final exams? This will also be my gap year as well! :> I’m a “ten monther” too! *high five* And yeah everyone, get on the forums! We know you’re out there! ;D

Ah, planes. @__@ I know I’ll be fine when we get on there, but… ugh. Mind lending me some of that on-plane courage of yours? 8D (No, it will be awesome to meet everyone. I'm sure the flight will be fun too). And yeah, concerning host families, I’m sure everyone will know everything soon. It seems like a lot of information is slowly leaking out as the days dwindle down. Oh Mog, when you find out your host family information, give a buzz on the forums! :>

I’m also sad leaving things behind! ;o; But I guess, depending on what you take over, you could leave some things in Japan too? Gifts will take a fair bit of space, so after giving them to our families, there might be a lot more room (here’s me, stating the obvious… again! xD). What are you planning to buy in Japan? I’m really looking forward to that shopping. Which reminds me, I need to look for a camera to take over too. ><

Another novel! 8D

Yeah, five weeks felt like a long time... I guess I have a better idea about daily life than before I went, but probably nothing compared to what we'll know come January! I went with my Aussie school, but only four of us actually went (and no teachers) so I guess it's more accurate to say it was arranged through my school (which is why we only went to the host schools and didn't travel at all). Haha, I have at admit to having watched/read far too much anime and manga too What's your favorites?

Yep, I'm 18 and had my final exams last November (so glad it's over~) *high five back*

If you don't mind my asking, what don't you like about planes? Haha, in my case it's not so much courage as boredom (having to sit for 10 hours with nothing interesting to do...), but I'll certainly lend you some It does seem to be trickling through... I think the host family stuff is handled by the schools, so I guess I'm just waiting on mine. I'll certainly let you know!

I weighed my gifts, I think they're like 2 kilos, so I should have a fair bit of extra space! Hmmm, I think I'm most excited about the cute stationery XD That's more for writing lots of letters to people while I'm there than taking back, though... And pikura! But they have lots of cute clothes too. So much stuff! Oh yes, so many photos 0_o I'm glad I ended up with an external hard drive, otherwise I suspect I'd be mostly buying memory cards! Last time I took a several hundred photos, and that was only five weeks. What are you looking forward to the most?

Haha, I think we'll just have to accept the novels - the more we each write the more the other has to reply to!

[edit] Oh yeah, what were you going to cook for your host families?

Post edited by: Cherryblossommog, at: 2010/03/03 11:44

Hey everyone steph here- I only found out today where I'm going---St.Maria girls school in Gifu. I didnt ask to be in a paticular place in Japan but I was suprised and excited when I found out it's the town where my previous Japanese exchange students are from----now I can visit them

Nice to meet you Steph, and welcome to the forums! ^_^

Wow, it took awhile for you to find out. But it's good you know now and will be able to see your friends

St Maria looks like a nice school and Gifu seems great too, with lots of interesting places. Maybe a little hot for my liking, haha.

Have you been there before? Why did you get interested in exchange to Japan?

I'm starting to get really excited, in three weeks we'll be in Japan!

Yes, three weeks now!

And hi there, Steph, and welcome to the forums! Are you the same Steph from the Sydney orientation, by any chance? St Maria looks great, and it’s pretty convenient that you can visit some of the Japanese students you know… that’s awesome! I’ve heard Gifu is a great location too!

And yeah, come next January, we’ll all be ‘experts’, won’t we? xD It’s pretty awesome that your school organised an exchange, though, Mog (mine was more of a ‘class trip’). Sounds like you had a pretty submersive experience. Ah well… we deserve a break after those horrible exams. 8D Right?!

On anime, I’m not too up to date with all the newer stuff that’s out there, but of course, there’re the obvious ones: Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist, Death Note, Samurai Champloo, Ghibli movies (totally gonna’ raid a Ghibli store if I find one!). My favourite manga are probably Fullmetal Alchemist (again!) and Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER. How about you guys? Steph, do you read/watch any anime?

Yeah, I’m writing letters too, so stationary shopping will be of the utmost importance! And clothes, of course, art books, manga, anything weird and wacky… and most definitely purikura! Man, the purikura in Sydney is so overpriced (daylight robbery!)

Thanks for the heads up about the memory cards! What kind of cameras are you guys taking? And how big in general are your suitcases?

As for cooking… I’m horrible! I’ve tried practicing a lot in the past few weeks though, and I’ve got Anzac Cookies, Banana Bread and a few pasta dishes down pat. I definitely recommend Anzac Cookies… they’re ‘Aussie’ and really, really easy to make!

And @Morgan, thanks for the lend of some of that courage! 8D I don’t know why I’m so terrible in planes. I think it’s just being up really high!