From Host Family to Real Community

Location:
Tokyo Japan
Latitude/Longitude:
35.676191900000, 139.650310600000
Journal Entry:

When I made the choice to study in Japan over a country that might have been more familiar to me, like England or Spain, I was thinking about which host culture would challenge me to grow and adapt to my new surroundings. So, when I had to decide between staying in a private dormitory or living with a host family, my choice was easy; a dormitory would allow me to hide away if things got tough, but only a host family could provide me with the cultural immersion that I was looking for.  

Back home in Houston, my immediate family consists of my dad, my mom, my grandma and my older sister. Maybe it was just a fortunate coincidence, but my host family in Tokyo was made up in the same way! Living under one roof was my host-father Hiroshi-san, my host-mother Kazuko-san, my host-grandma “Baba” and my host-sister Sae-chan. Because of the similarities between my host-family and my own family, I felt right at home once I stepped through their door.

In Japan, it’s customary to bring souvenirs, or omiyage, when you return from traveling.

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