We are sure that you are going to have a wonderful stay and learn a lot about Japan and about yourself. In your own culture, you grew up learning how to behave in different situations. Now you are in a new culture where you don’t know all the rules about what is proper and acceptable.
As the way of life differs in each community and family and responses depend on the circumstances of each case, it is impossible to tell you how to behave in every situation. One of the purposes of AFS is for people from different cultures to meet and come to understand the positive things about other countries and cultures.
Many of the common sense things you do in your own country will apply to your stay in Japan. The best thing to do is to discuss any concerns you have with your host family and local AFS volunteers. But you must also be responsible for yourself. If you have any questions about the advice given here, or do not understand any of the language or words used, be sure to ask your host family or LP and find out.
One way to prevent problems is to carry your necessary documents ( Documents & Identification to Carry ) at all times. You should also carry your host family's telephone numbers, the numbers for your local AFS volunteers, and the AFS Japan national office. It is especially important to memorize your host family's telephone numbers. You never know when your phone may be out of range or battery!