Responsibilities of the Host Family

Pre-Arrival

1. Send Photos to your guest (Family, house, etc) along with a family profile

2. Correspond (by email or post) at least once with your guest giving interesting information, sights where you plan to take the guest and answer any queries.

3. Inform and brief your close friends and neighbours and enlist their support

4. Receive a ‘Briefing’ from Kande or her agent. The vision and values of the Homestay program will be explained and you will receive vital information on Japanese culture and etiquette, details about your guest and your responsibilities.

Upon Arrival

1. Collect guest from airport unless agreed otherwise.

2. Organize a short welcome meeting to include:

   • introducing members of family

   • touring the house and neighbourhood,

   • clarification of expectations and arrangements,

   • clear explainantion of your family’s timetable i.e., meal times,

   • use of show/shower curtain and bath, etc.

   • use of telephone, email, fax etc

During the Homestay

The basic rule is to integrate the guest into all aspects of family life.

For example if you are invited out to a dinner party, inform your friend that you will be bringing your Japanese guest with you!

1. Ensure that your guest has a well balanced diet and knows the mealtimes. If you choose to eat out it is your responsibility to pay. Food is what often gives Homestay a bad name. *Avoid greasy food *Avoid complete vegetarian meals * they like meat and fish *avoid trying to make Japanese food… they want to experience your way of eating!

2. At least once a week, plan a special outing where Local Culture can be experienced i.e., symphony, concert, restaurant or pub, club, castles, gardens, etc. (Host Family Fact File continued)

3. Your fee allows 50 pounds a week for this.

4. Be sensitive and always ask what they are enjoying and not enjoying.

5. Every three days offer to do their laundry.

6. Take lots of photos with them in it. And give them a set before they leave

7. Never assume they will just fit in, go the extra mile to include them in conversation, planning and meeting people. However, do respect their need to rest and ‘time-off’.

8. Enjoy ourselves… the Japanese are great fun to be with!

Departure

1. Arrange a goodbye meal. Include the whole family and special friends. Present them with a farewell gift. It may be appropriate to pray for their safe journey and home-going. Remember, it is extremely important to stay visible and continue waving until your guest has disappeared out of sight.

2. Phone the airport to confirm departure details and take them to the airport in plenty of time unless agreed otherwise. Again,b e sure to stay with them until they actually pass through security.
   

Post departure

1. You will be asked to email an evaluation of the ‘stay’ of your guest. Please
   Complete and send to Kande soon, while your memory is still fresh.

2. Develop photos (if you haven’t done already and given them a photo album with those pictures) and send a follow up email or letter to your guest within a couple of weeks