Snippets from a Host Family Weekend!

One of the cornerstones of the Language and Culture session is the homestay experience. Rather than staying in a hotel, students are welcomed into the homes of a Japanese family for the four weeks of the program; this past weekend was a “host family weekend,” when students and families had the entire weekend free to go and do whatever they wished together. 

Rather than me writing about what they did, I’ve asked students to send me short snippets of their weekend, in their words. Here are there stories! The photos are also theirs.

“I ate with my host family’s friends and it was super good and everyone was super nice. I also got to spend time with the family and got to know everybody better when going to the zoo and actually being immersed in family activities.” -Sara 

“Me and my host family went to Osaka Castle and then got our nails done. Then I got to meet my host mom’s mother and met her dogs Mini and Nana, and they gave me a yukata. Then we went to conveyor belt sushi.” -Jay 

週末に私とテイムはホストファミリーと一緒にたくさん時間を過ごしました。嵐山に行ったりすしを作ったり映画村で遊んだりしました。すごく楽しかったです。This weekend, Tim and I spent a lot of time with our host family. We went to Arashiyama, made sushi, and had a great time at Kyoto Eiga Mura [a historical movie set village]. It was really fun! -Travis

"This weekend, I explored Shiga with my host family! We went to a museum, drove around the lake, and even went shopping! We also made takoyaki. It was so nice to explore a part of Japan full of families. It made me feel like I was really living here!" -Annabella

“Once in a lifetime experience! Very memorable and unforgettable.” -Sophia O.

“We went to Himeji Castle by train. We also went shopping and got ramen.” -Kiana

先週末、私とアレクッスくんとホストファミリーはそばを作って、それから、私達は作ったそばを食べました。料理をする前におみやげを買いました。Last weekend, Alex and I went to make soba with our host family, and then that soba was used in our dinner. Before we made food, we bought gifts. -Crow

“My host mother took me on a tour of the area by our house! We explored Maruyama Park and because my skirt matched the hydrangea colors she said I was the fairy of the hydrangeas.” -Scarlett

“We went bowling and went out for yakiniku. It was really fun, actually.” -Emma 

“We went shopping on Saturday, then me and my roommate made carne asade, guacamole, and salsa rojo for our host family. On Sunday we went to eat at conveyor belt sushi, and afterwards we went to onsen.” -Diego

“I went to karaoke, shopping, and Himeji Castle with my homestay family. It was a lot of fun, and I love my homestay family lots.” -Wonder

"My time with my host family has been truly incredible. I've had so much fun and seen and experienced so many new things." -Xander

"During my weekend with my host family, me and my roommate spent Saturday with our homestay parent's friends to learn how to make takoyaki and yakisoba. As for Sunday we went to an outing together as a family to the cup noodle museum and they also introduced us to Osaka City by letting us ride a large ferris wheel that shows a high up view of Osaka. Right after that we explored the city more by going to different shops, try out small restaurants/bakeries and trying some arcade games! It was a fun weekend with them." -Xitlaly