Host Family Orientation

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Host Family Orientation

• Preparing to Host a
• Student from Japan

MIRA Manitowoc International Relations
Association 686-6980
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Be prepared to meet your student upon arrival and
make them feel as comfortable as possible. They
will be tired!
2 hour drive to Tokyo 14 hour flight 3 hour drive
from Chicago
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Japanese custom is usually to bathe in the
evening
After arrival, your guest may wish to bathe
before bed. Be sure to offer.
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• American bathrooms are quite different from
  Japanese, give your guest an orientation
• hot/cold water on off
• how to turn shower on
• how to operate drain
• towels/washcloths where are they located
  and where should they be hung to dry?
• Shampoo vs. conditioner

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Give Your Guest an Orientation of Your Home
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Teach them essentials
Using Lights How to lock/unlock doors Phones
emergency numbers Your Familys Name Address
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Nighttime Comfort

• Consider a nightlight
• Japanese homes usually dont have air
  conditioning. Offer extra blankets.
• How to get a glass of water

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Family Computer

• If you have an online family computer, perhaps
  your guest would like to send an email message to
  family back home alerting them to safe arrival

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Make yourself aware of your guests OTC /
prescription medications and adverse affects
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Omiyage The Art of Gift Giving

• the Japanese excel at a wide range of traditional
  arts and crafts, with regional gift specialties
  renowned for their quality workmanship and
  aesthetic appeal.

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Your guest will most likely bring a gift for your
family
You may wish to have something prepared in
return.
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Receive Gifts with Both Hands
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The Art of Gift Giving

• Devalue the gift you GIVE.
• Praise the gift you RECEIVE.
• Dont open unless urged to do so. Do so with
  utmost care respect.
• Wrap all gifts attractively.

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The International Language

• Smile

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Itinerary

• Manitowoc International Relations Association
  (MIRA) has prepared an itinerary for the duration
  of the students visit.
• Itineraries include free time with family.
• Your family is welcome to participate in planned
  activities.
• Your family is welcome to plan its own
  activities.

MIRA Manitowoc International Relations
Association 686-6980
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Itinerary

• If your family will plan activities other than
  the planned itinerary with your student, please
  let MIRA know.
• Costs incurred as a result of family activities
  engaged in outside the planned itinerary are the
  sole responsibility of the family.
• Remember, this student(s) is your guest child
  during their stay. Spend as much time with them
  as possible.

MIRA Manitowoc International Relations
Association 686-6980
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IMPORTANT

• Be on time! Student guest must be picked up upon
  arrival and dropped off prior to departure.
• Great care has been taken to coordinate the
  itinerary, please have students to planned events
  on time.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

• Any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to
  contact MIRA
• Wanda LeClair 860-7901
• Tina Prigge 686-6980
• Perk Foster 242-3066
• John Cress 901-6074

MIRA Manitowoc International Relations
Association 686-6980
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Most Importantly

• Have an Open Mind
• Have Fun
• Happy Journey

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Congratulations!

• Youre on your way to the adventure of a lifetime.