Unlike most of other exchange stududents who live in a dorm with themselves only, I am staying with a host family. When I first thought about coming to Japan, I was going to stay in a dorm just like everyone else. Luckily, my family's acquaintance wanted to have me stay in their house during my study in Japan.
My host family runs a Japanese restaurant. The host father is a cook, and the host mother helps out. They have two nice sons, who take me around places where younger people hang out, and they also want to improve their English. I stop by the restaurant whenever I am on the way to school and back home. They cook different Japanese food every meal for me, and it is awesome. I have to say that I am blessed because I do not have to worry about what to eat like other exchange students.
So far, it has been great to stay with a host family. Other students here complain that they do not have a chance to practice their Japanese as much, but I speak Japanese all the time at home and at the restaurant. Also, I get a good hot meal. Yeah!!!
I would like to recommend to stay with a host family to everyone who is planning to study abroad. I truly think it is the best way to experience a country.
Typical meal at the restaurant
Had this when we had a sushi party
My host father making sushi rice
Barbeque party (Yakiniku party)
Host family and I
My host family's restaurant
