Exchange student to Japan?

Im going to be an exchange student going to Japan for about a year. I have a lot of questions so please bare with me..


I was wondering how is it like in the school when your an exchange student? How do the students treat you? and since im a girl...Do the girls join a sports club? considering that i like to play softball. Are there any other sports that girls play other than volleyball?


What other clubs do they offer to girls?


how is it like at home, with your host family?


What kind of japanese food do they usually eat?


What are some things that Ishould and shouldnt do? ( i already know taking off the shoes when entering, chopticks w/rice) any other different ones?


When talking to a japanese person do you use "Anata" or do you use the 3rd person, using their name??





If you have any experiences in being an exchange student in Japan or you live in Japan. Please give me advice or information that i need. It'll help a lot! Thanks^^

Exchange student to Japan?
I'm sure you can play softball there, the japanese love it. Also girls.


How it is like at home and the food will depend very much on your host family, so you should ask them. However I can tell you that japanese are very kind, very disciplined and like to follow rules a bit more than other peoples.


Also hierarchies are taken a little bit more seriously, at least I got this impression when I was there. I think if you treat older ones with respect and follow the rules that are given to you, you will have a wonderful stay.


(But don't loose your individuality and be a little rebel once in a while, you got the gaijin (foreigner) bonus for that ;-)


I've been in Nagoya for 6 months recently. Write me if you want to hear more. No worries, everyone will gladly help you there!
Reply:When I was in their school, that was a very big private school. There are clinic(for emergency), swimming pool, room for learning to cook, hostel and etc in that school. Their school look quite similar like the school in anime. I have to take off my shoes and walked with sandal in some places when my host told me to.





At home it was very warm. We played games and watched the television together. In Japan, guest is always served at first. At home, I was the first to shower followed by father and so on. They are always very punctual. They eat rice and beef often. Rice is served with miso soup. They drink green tea. However the youngster may prefer soft drink.





When addressing someone, add 'san' after his name. When presenting your name card or receiving a name card from someone, make sure the card is not reverse, don't cover the name with fingers, hold with two hand and read it after you received it. Put the card in pocket is impolite to that person. You should instead put it in a case.


Speak 'tata ima' if you back home, 'itadakimasu' before you eat and 'gochisosama deshita' after eat.





Anata, kimi and omae are used rather little in Japanese. Using such words sometimes sounds disrespectful, and people will commonly address each other by name, title and honorific even in face-to-face conversations
Reply:as an exchange student you should know that it is like being a new kid so be polite (i mean alot more polite than what you would be here saying hello, offer to help with anything, RETURNING kiddness,)you can join sports if you want but look for clubs with your interests oh and you might im not sure but alot of the time the students clean the school(just a warring)


try and be invollved with your host family so DONT just act like snoby (not saying you would but coving bases here)treat them with respect help out


also fish is a big part of the diet along with veggies and rice
Reply:Alright I'm kinda thinking do u speak or understand japanease? but you probably do since your going there. Don't worry about how they think about you but it might be hard. And as for school its a lot harder than the usa they actually give you homework, not the work you don't finish. Thats why japanease are so smart. As for sports they probably have those you mentioned like volleyball and softball. As for the food the most popular is sushi(raw fish but cleaned) and ramen(noodles).
Reply:If u go to a competent school, they answer these q's for u.