Visit Guidelines When Gero-Kanayama Students Visit Ketchikan
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Housing Guidelines: Each exchange student is required to house a Japanese exchange student or chaperone while they are visiting. *Kanayama/Gero has asked that we NOT take the students on any flight seeing. Fishing on private boats is OK as long as the student wears a life jacket the entire time. * GIFTS: Your homestay student/chaperone may present you with a gift(s) in appreciation for your homestay. You are not obligated to reciprocate with a gift! If you do, keep initial gifts small as they will still have to get it home. If you wrap a gift, please do not use white paper; white in Japan is reserved for funerals. If your homestay wants to cook for you or help with dishes, please let them! Invite them to help with meal preparation if they ask. The most important thing is to make them feel at home and comfortable while visiting. SLEEPING: It is not necessary that your homestay student has their own room, but please make sure that privacy is available when needed. BATHING: Most Japanese bathe in the evenings, and their style of bathing is very different than in America. Be sure to explain/show how the bathroom works (i.e, shower and bath fixtures and drains). Show them where to find the light switches. |
LAUNDRY: Because of very limited laundry facilities and high humidity/temperature, most Japanese students are used to having laundry done each night. Please do not feel like you need to do laundry every day. Make sure that your homestay knows your laundry routine. Make sure they also know where to put their dirty laundry. Always check in with them and see if they have enough clean clothes for the next day. OTHER: Use your dictionary and notes; it’s a great way to learn some Japanese and get your communication across! Use your translation apps as a last resort. Play games, share family photos, include them in all activities, do fun things together, and make your homestay feel like part of your family. This should be a memorable time for them! Be aware that your homestay may not bring up problems with you, but may mention them in their group meetings. If this happens, the escorts may call you to let you know what has been discussed. Please don’t take this a personal criticism of your home life; it may only be that your homestay does not understand the American way of living. The escorts and chaperones are there to help bridge any problems that may arise between you and your homestay. Please be on time when picking up your homestay from activities. If you are detained, please call the escorts to inform them. A great rule of thumb is to care for your homestay like you would hope to be cared for while in Japan! |