“Welcome to Japan” is written in easy English to help people who do not speak English as a first language understand the content.
Welcome to Japan
Congratulations on being selected as an AFS participant and welcome to the AFS family. Your AFS host chapter, host family, host school and host community here in Japan are all looking forward to your arrival and to the intercultural experience which is about to begin. “Welcome to Japan” is full of important information to help you get ready for your AFS experience in Japan. Read it carefully and show it to your parents or guardian to read as well. Then, keep it handy for the adventure of your life!!
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“Things aren’t right or wrong, they’re just different.”
The AFS experience in Japan
Nobody knows exactly what kind of experience you will have because there is no typical AFS experience. This will be a unique experience that you share with your new family and friends in Japan.
Come with an open mind, one that is ready to see and experience many new things, but also one that is ready for some hard times. Almost every AFS participant has some hard times, but these are the times you learn the most about Japan, the Japanese and yourself.
Don’t worry about making mistakes, every AFS participant does, and it is these mistakes that allow you to learn more than you ever thought possible.
Always try your best to learn Japanese culture and remember that it is very different from your own. Be patient; remember that your host family is also experiencing many changes and is probably feeling the same way as you.
Comparing Japan and its culture with your own culture is interesting, but remember that neither is better than the other; they are just different.
Introducing AFS Japan, a volunteer organization
AFS JAPAN was founded in 1955, the year after the first group of eight AFS Japanese high school students went to the United States of America. More than 70 years later, about 1,600 volunteers in about 70 chapters across the country work throughout the year to help AFS students have the most enriching intercultural experience possible.
Introducing your Chapter’s volunteers Help them to help YOU.
Your host family are volunteers.
Your host family hosts you on a voluntary basis and doesn’t receive any financial aid from AFS. They open their homes to you, and pay the cost of having an extra person in the family. AFS asks your host family to provide you with a place to sleep and meals. Please keep in mind that anything they give you or do for you is out of the kindness of their hearts.
Your host school are volunteers.
Your host school allows you to attend without paying taxes or tuition. You are expected to be an active student and contribute to the school.
Your chapter members are volunteers.
AFS does not pay chapter members for the work they do. They organize many opportunities for you and are there to support you and your host family from before you arrive, during your stay, and even after you leave!