Home Visit Family

When I got to Japan I signed up for a program called Home Visit Family. The idea was that I would visit a traditional family and get to experience Japanese life. Not as intense as a Homestay, but better suited for someone level 1, like me. When we met last semester it was always a bit awkward, the only one who spoke English was the boy, and he wasn't that great. Now that I can express myself, at least a bit, in Japanese, our relationship has gotten so much better. Now we meet to spend entire days together, instead of just going over for 1 dinner a month. They have become very important for me in Japan and definetely something I'll hate to leave behind. They're so sweet and nice!!

We have amazing Japanese dinners cooked by Okaasan.

The whole family plays wii

And my Okaasan loves me.

It was so sad, the other day I saw them for the last time. Japan is such an awkward culture and huging and showing emotions is not something you do. I didn't know how to react or what to say to any of them, because back home we would have hugged. So many people have told me how when they tried to hug their host-mothers, who they live with every day, the Japanese mom would keep away and be very awkward. When it came time to say goodbye to my Okaasan she started crying and hugged me. It's something I completely did not expect.

Goodbye Okaasan!