What advice would you give to someone who's moving to japan for a year?

what advice would you give someone who is moving to japan as an exchange student?





any advice, big or small, will be a lot of help





thanks in advance!What advice would you give to someone who's moving to japan for a year?
One of the biggest pitfalls of exchange students to Japan is that they tend to hang out too much with one another.





I think the most helpful advice is:


1. Don't hang out with other Americans or English-speakers. Why waste time in Japan talking to Americans when you can do that in America?





2. Don't be afraid to speak Japanese, and don't let Japanese people speak to you in English. TRY to speak in Japanese. If a Japanese person speaks in English to you, explain to them that you are in Japan to learn, so you want to speak Japanese. Even if you don't know enough Japanese to communicate, you can only learn it by listening to it and trying to use it yourself. You can't learn Japanese by speaking English.





3. Just be open. It's such a general suggestion, I know, but it's unbelievable how many people go abroad, even for a year, and go back to their countries unchanged, because they are so close-minded and ignorant. Try as much as you are able, and don't be afraid to do new things, even if they seems strange. In part, that's why you're there, right? Because it's different, and you want to experience the culture, so keep that in mind. Even if you still think it's weird after you do it, at least you tried, and hopefully you at least appreciate why they do things the way they do them or believe what they believe.





Maybe you've heard all of this before, but I feel like it really is good advice.What advice would you give to someone who's moving to japan for a year?
learn japanese





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What is wrong with my answer..anyway you cannot plz everyone on there...she gotta learn japanese if she plans to come here for a year.....duhhhhhhh........
Take a picture of how you like to have your hair cut. (Picture of yourself I mean). I haven't had my hair cut by someone who speaks english for over 5 years.





Bring lots of photographs from home to show people. It breaks down language barriers.





If not learning Japanese... at least start leaning hiragana.





Try to do something outside of the circle of foreigners you'll find yourself in. There's nothing better than a martial art. imo





Blog for your friends at home; with lots of pictures.





Amazon.co.jp is really good. Someone I know had things shipped over using the American Amazon.com and paid lots of extra money for shipping for no reason.





Make sure you know where you stand with healthcare.





Buy a bike (in japan). If the police catch you using a bike that isn't yours... then things get sticky.





Get your international drivers license so you have the option of renting a car in the first 6 months of your stay.





Have a good time.





extra:





know whether you need to tell your tax people anything.
Don't think English is the world standard.





Japan is like a society of kangaroo and koala bears. Those marsupial animals are unique species and don't want to mix with other animals in the world.
i think you could face a lot of changing， the people，the weather most especially the food。 be carefull and be prepare for anything else。gudluck and thank you！
Learn to have a flow and you will glow.
This sounds like an exciting adventure for you! Enjoy! Here are my recommendations:





Don't forget to laugh - at yourself! You will make plenty of ';mistakes'; with the customs and language, but you are forgiven by locals because you are a foreigner. Of course you will not try to offend, and people will see you are making an effort. Everyone will be releaved when you see that you have a sense of humor.





You will have lots of opportunities for gift giving. Try bringing music, calandars with pictures, stickers, colorful pens and pencils, and other small gifts that you can give your friends. They will cherish these.





Bring photos of your family, pets, school, friends, vacations, home, yourself. Your language skills will be very much enhanced by these photos and they will give you something to talk about with new friends you make.





Join a club and/or sport. Japanese respect people who ';belong'; and this will help you make friends on the team or club.





Try new foods, and remember the names of dishes you enjoy so you can request them at restaurants. Some people will ask you ';Do you eat sushi?';. Depending on how close to the city you are living, people may have different questions for you and your life back home.





Be mindful of those around you - you don't have to completely change who you are, but think about what you wear and how loudly you are talking in public.
learn as much Japanease as you can

day cream