Student Exchange!

[PockyCrack]

I see, I see!
Danke, danke!



I owe you my life.
o.o

[OsakaPapa]

My mistake. When you said sophomore, I thought you meant sophomore in college X3

[PockyCrack]

It's all goooood ^_^

[Henbaka]

Originally Posted by PockyCrack

I have the same problem in Japanese that I have in French and German, I can read and write in it, but I cannot carry on a conversation, so, I hoped that in Japan I could learn conversational habits much more easier. Also, I want a more rigorous course, I am in the IB (if you know what that is, if not, I will explain later) program at school, and I do not find it at all any different than the simple Advanced Placement. However, I do not know what I would not learn, perhaps I will see?

Furthermore, is homestay that horrible?

I can just speak from what my friends in homestay have told me. I have known (and know) maybe 10 guys&girls that have either done, or are currently doing homestay.

Basically I have only had one friend that actually had real problems with his 'family'. They just did not get along _at all_ for a variety of reason (expectations and whatnot, I did not really investigate the matter). He was a good guy though, so don't think he was some asshole causing all problems himself.

Besides that the consensus have been that the families have been very friendly and helpful. Most have been doing it for quite a while (like one of my friend's family currently which has been doing it for 10-15 years something). So usually they have experience in dealing with foreign students.

Naturally also it's a very good opportunity for working on your japanese. You also get good food every day.

The negative sides (which is probably why I'm not in homestay) are:

* You are less free in a sense. Even if your family does not care if you stay out late, or whatever, they will usually have a time when they serve food. Most people will try to honor that, and thus go home at a certain time. I like to be able to eat my dinner at anywhere between 6-11 PM without feeling guilty. Also while partying all night have not been a major problem for my friends, they atleast have to tell their family what their plans are.

* Most homestay families don't live in central areas of Tokyo (Tokyo is my example since it's the only place in Japan I have lived in / currently live in). Schools however can be quite central. This means you can very likely have a commute time of 1 - 1½ hours one way to get to school. Keep in mind tho that you likely will have to commute if you live somewhere else too, just not as long (if you're not very lucky to get a place/room within walking distance).