In the home stay program, you stay in an ordinary Japanese household as a member of the family, not as a guest. You spend your free time with other family members and dine, chat and go out with them. Becoming familiar with Japanese family life through firsthand experience is an effective way of increasing one's understanding of Japanese culture. This program also offers a great opportunity for host families to understand foreign cultures and to contribute to international friendship without traveling abroad. For an overview of the home stay program, please see the "Procedures for being a home stay visitor."
A survey on international students found the majority of these students to be living alone in apartments or student dormitories and traveling only between their schools and their residences. Because they are busy studying, they have little time to make Japanese friends. Also, differences in customs and language make it hard for them to become familiar with Japanese life, forcing them to endure a lonely school life. It is important for them to get away from this routine for a while. By having a pleasant time staying with ordinary Japanese families, students can refresh themselves and renew their determination to study harder.
Experiencing ordinary Japanese life as a family member is an ideal way of familiarizing oneself with Japanese culture and customs and acquiring conversational Japanese. This program also aims to provide opportunities for international students to learn about the nature and climate of various areas of Hokkaido by visiting them and staying there.
The Home Sweet Home Stay program has been established to enable international students in Hokkaido to experience Japanese family life, to appreciate the natural splendor of Hokkaido and to get the most out of their student life in Japan.
The lifestyles of international students differ by person; some students go home during their summer vacations, while others have only a few days off in between their research periods.
The Home Sweet Home Stay program allows international students to experience home stays around Hokkaido whenever they wish.
Circumstances may require that we request a change in the home stay period. For more information on Hokkaido's local areas, please see the "Information on Hokkaido Municipalities."
