Safety and Etiquette

ISA and Travel

Discussion questions:

1. When traveling, as an American what is your expectation of how you will be perceived?

2. When traveling, as an American how would you like to be perceived?

3. When traveling, as a member of the ISA community how would you like our school to be perceived?

4. As it reflects on you personal integrity. How would you like yourself perceived?

5. What behaviors elicit the anticipated and desired responses?

Travel Safety Rules

  • Stay in groups of 2 or 3 at all times.

  • Make sure that the teacher knows where you are at all times. (Get approval for trips with the host family.)

  • If separated from the group for any reason, stay where you are or move to the closet phone. There will be contact numbers for you both in the US and in Japan. Always carry your contact information (written in Japanese and in English).

Travel Concerns

  • Time- other people and businesses are counting on your timeliness. Wear a watch.

  • Money- Disperse spending over the trip.

  • Clothes- Be comfortable, but appropriate at all times. Dress is more conservative in Japan. Uniforms will be worn at school.

  • Food- Food is very safe in Japan. You can be sensitive to those serving you and still eat that which you feel comfortable. Trying new and different food is a great cultural experience.

  • Water- The water is safe to drink anywhere.

Homestay Etiquette

  • Pick up your clothes and other items. Keep them neat and out of others way.

  • Be on time – for meals, bathing, leaving for school etc. (Everyone must have and wear a watch.)

  • Help with chores.

Hotel Etiquette - Rooms

  • Put trash in trashcans.

  • Pile dirty towels in one place in the bathroom- the tub or under the sink.(so the maids can find them to wash)

  • Have personal items off of beds and in concentrated areas (so the maids can make beds)

  • Report anything that is broken or does not work to the teacher or the front desk as soon as you see it. Remember that you will be held responsible for any damages to the room or its contents.

Hotel Etiquette – Public Common Areas

  • Noise should stay within rooms... and not intrude on other guests especially after 10 PM. (guests can be below, beside, or above your room)

  • Hallways, restaurants, and stairwells are public areas. Be aware of your voices, their volume and what you are talking about.

  • Keep luggage, and bodies out of the way in areas for public passage.

Hotel Safety

  • Know where the safety exits are

  • Keep the dead bolt lock on when you are in your room

  • Never open the door to someone that you don't know

  • Don't leave jewelry or other items

Leaving a hotel room

  • Pack as much as possible the night before, leaving only your toiletries and pajamas to be packed in the morning

  • Once packed, flip the bedspread open and closed looking for stuff under the bed

  • Look in all drawers and closets

  • Look behind the door in the bathroom