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Yamasa's homestay and homevisit program began when the Aichi Center for Japanese Studies was first established. Compared to most Japanese cities, houses in Okazaki are larger, and good host families are therefore usually easier to obtain than in Tokyo or Osaka.

The homestays give you not only the opportunity to practice language skills (especially listening and speaking) and intimately experience the culture, but also provide a priceless chance to communicate across cultures and make long lasting friendships. One advantage of studying in Okazaki is that it is a city with a long history that has also kept its traditions and heritage. You can experience the true culture of Japanese family life, increasingly hard to experience in the larger metropolitan cities. Many students who have experienced the homestay program at Yamasa continue to maintain close friendships with their Japanese family.

There is one additional difference between a Yamasa homestay or homevisit and those usually on offer. At Yamasa there is a full time Housing Office with the time and resources to search for and select appropriate families. For several reasons including cultural reticence, smaller house size and the fact that there are often extended families living in the same household, host families are usually harder to find in Japan than in many countries. Only a school that is prepared to invest in full time staff just to look after the housing needs of international students is able to consistently provide appropriate homestays and homevisits.

Length of Home Stay: Usually students stay for a minimum of one month though extension is possible and not unusual, however this depends entirely on the family's schedule and commitments. After one month you may need to be prepared to either move to another homestay or move into student housing.

Requirements: You need to complete your enrolment in a Yamasa program (ie, application & photos sent, tuition fee paid). This can be completed online or via post/fax. Some applicants may be requested to fill out an additional questionnaire - some families ask for more information than others.

For a homestay you also need at least 2 snapshot photographs (not passport photographs) of yourself which will help Yamasa find a homestay. It is advisable that you send different photos. These can also be sent by email.

NOTE: APPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE! This is a popular program and Homestays are provided on a first come-first served basis. The search for a homestay does not begin until AFTER you have remitted your tuition fees. If you are enrolling in a SILAC program, or in any course where a student visa is not required, then you will be required to pay for the tuition in full. You are not required to pay for the accommodation fee in advance, only the tuition. Payment of a deposit does not start a homestay search.

(This policy exists because several times in the past, students have requested a homestay without paying and then cancelled after the families had undertaken considerable preparation. Yamasa apologises if this rule is inconvenient - but the homestays are so integral to the program that maintaining good relationships with all host families is essential. Your understanding is requested. - Declan Murphy, Director, Intl. Office)

To give yourself the maximum chance of a homestay it is best to apply early - this is especially the case during May, the summer (especially August) and the end of Year/New Year periods. Your chances of obtaining a homestay are also generally higher if you have some conversational Japanese or are fluent in a language such as English that will enable you to communicate with the family.

ADVICE FROM YAMASA HOUSING OFFICE: IF YOU WANT TO HOMESTAY THEN YOU SHOULD AIM TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION AT LEAST 2 MONTHS IN ADVANCE! We can of course search for a homestay after this date, however the later the application is the less likely a host family will be available.

The difference between a "homestay" and a "homevisit". Length: "Homestays" usually involve living with the family for an extended period - normally for 1 month, but in some cases anything from a week up to a year. A "Homevisit" is usually for an evening meal, one day or a weekend stay (1 night/2 days). Many students choose the homevisits because they can enjoy the comfort of having their own apartment as well as the opportunity to experience Japanese family life. Cost: A homestay usually requires considerable expense on the part of the family. As a result we do charge a homestay fee - which is then forwarded to the family. By comparison, homevisits are usually free, the student normally only paying for things such as movie admission tickets or other such expenses if required. Requirements: Homestays require preparation time and planning. If you wish to homestay, you will need to apply for the program well in advance. By comparison, homevisits do not require application in advance, and most students arrange their home visits by visiting the Housing Office after arrival.

Homestay fees: The homestay fee is 68,000 yen per month for student visa holders, and 17,500 yen per week for short stay students. This includes breakfast and evening meals from Monday to Friday, though not necessarily on weekends. Also, many homestays are within walking or bicycling distance of Yamasa, but if a commute is required then you will need to pay your own transportation. If the fares exceed 1,000 yen per day, Yamasa will pay the excess fare.

Notification: As soon as your home stay family is determined, you will receive a profile of the family. If you are commencing your studies with a homestay, then staff from Yamasa will meet you at Nagoya Airport or Okazaki station and you will meet your family at Yamasa. If you are moving from one of the studio apartments or from the student village then appropriate introductions and arrangements will be made. Please note that your program confirmation may be sent to you before your host family confirmation. In this case your program notification will usually list your second preference as your accommodation. This does not mean that a homestay will not be found - it is only done so that if on arrival you need to present an address to an Immigration Officer - you have paperwork available.

Basic Rules for a home stay: There are rules. A homestay is a wonderful opportunity for you to improve your Japanese and understand the culture in a way not otherwise possible. However please remember that it is not like staying in a hotel. You are a guest of a family and are required to follow the rules, as they would apply for any family member.

a.) You will need to inform your family of the time you will come back home everyday.
b.) If you would like to make an overseas or long distance call, do it collect or from a payphone.
c.) Always inform your family of your weekend's plans.
d.) Do not give the family's private address or phone number to any other people without their consent.

Enjoy your stay with a Japanese Family!