Tips/advice before going to japan

The last two months are upon us and one thing there isn't enough of is time. This exchange really has been the best experience of my life and luckily for me the good times have far outweighed the bad. 
I'm not going to lie, you will feel at times (hopefully few :) ) that you are under pressure and wanting to have a moment to compose yourself, maybe even contemplating of going home, but you just have to push through. The next day will get better if you make it so. Believe me, you want everyday to be better than the last to get the most out of this marvellous time abroad.

Before you leave:

I came on scholarship so for almost half a year I was in the dark wondering if at all I was going away. From what I know from people who pay their way through, it's a lot less of a surprise but nonetheless exciting!! They do have the upperhand with preparing not just packing but also preparing mentally (I'll come to that later). 

Either way, it's completely sane to run home everyday from school and check the mail box, emails, AFS account and whatever other sources of telecommunication you own for any possible "new information" from AFS/your exchange student company. Hehe, I did this. Everyday, perhaps twice...or more.

So when you finally get the letter of approval and you finished not-keeping-still you're faced with the questions:
•what do I pack?
•what do I do about the language/cultural differences?
•can I leave my family and friends behind?
And a verity of others. 

Packing really depends on where you're placed so until you find that out there's no point worrying. Obviously the people who get placed in Hokkaido will have a different wardrobe to those living in Okinawa. You will be going in Spring however so do take something warm as their Spring is quite cool. Do pack light! A couple pairs of jeans, a weeks worth of shirts, shorts, nice pair of going out clothes, two pairs of shoes and the necessities. 

AND DONT FORGET THE SOUVIENERS!! xD you'll be giving a lot of them away to EVERYONE!! anything is good. Doesn't have to be expensive. Something that screams where ever you're from and they'll love it. 

It really is important to prepare mentally before you go away. You'll be leaving everything and everyone you know behind for a long time. Go through with your family what support you have, go to the camps organized by the exchange student organisation, read up about the culture and language and discuss money, what you would do if a family member got sick or passed away...be realistic, you don't want to be in the country and have to make a split second decision over the phone to your parents.   

Language....it does help to learn at least your greetings, pleases and thankyous before you leave. I have friends here who have come with absolutely no Japanese skills what so ever and with a bit of study they can easily communicate with friends and family by the half way mark without much difficulty. Don't let the language put you off from going, you WILL pick It up

Hmm... I think that's about it. Do make contact with your host family :) I contacted my on skype. Keep continuing to ask me questions and I'll do another one of these. 

No regrets!
Live for the moment!

K x