About Big Time Host Families

    What would you expect for host families? What if I am assigned to a "bad" host family? You can ask Questions and questions are always answered!

    Here are some of most frequently confronting situation:

• What do I need to do before I arrive there?
• Do I need to get some gifts ready for host families?
• What should I do to give them good impressions?
• What should I do if I need to change host family?

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  What do I need to do before I arrive there?
  If you've known your host family or IEC, it's generally a good idea to give them a call or send a letter(or e-mail) to let them know more about you better, because it is really difficult for them to understand what kind of person you are simply by a piece of application. Besides, you'd like to show that you're friendly(and you really are), and you care about them.

  Do I need to get some gifts ready for host families?
  You don't really HAVE TO, but it is a good idea to bring some in case you really need some. And you don't really have to "buy" some. You can learn how to make some "origami" or other stuffs, too. The only thing you need to bring for those stuffs is "paper." Because it's kind of difficult to purchase those kind pretty paper.(And it is quite spendy, too.)

  What should I do to give them good impressions?
  You'll have to show that you're friendly. Suppose your family is hosting a foreign student and you don't know him/her really well, what would you think if he/she simply does his/her own stuffs and never bothers you? Remember, it is not like the HOME back home, both sides will need much more patience and struggles to make both of you "feel at home."

         What should I do if I need to change a host family?
         You have been here for a month, and you figured that you and          your host family didn't fit. What should you do?
         Well, the first thing you should consider is "think twice," and          communicate with your host family first. Often the disputes will          be resolved by straight-forward communications. If you          cannot be that thoughtful, think of something more realistic:          you don't know what to expect in another family, and it will          start all over again.
         After knowing for sure that staying there will bring both of you          nothing but troubles, the next step is to contact your IEC          asking about his/her opinions. DO NOT feel embarassed to          ask! It is not good for both of you if you decide to stay just          because you don't want to look bad...