Tips for Host Parents by Christina Chaves Shelton

1.  Remember that your student is excited to be here.  Share the excitement!

2.  Don't underestimate the intelligence of your student.

3.  Your student is vulnerable now.  Try to be interested in his / her culture and family.  Be interested!

4.  Discourage frequent phone calls to the home country at least in the first three months.  Instead of being helpful, they can actually keep the student from adjusting to the culture he / she is in now. 

5.  Try to answer your student's questions about the new things he / she is experiencing and seeing.  Feed his / her curiosity.

6.  Include the student in the household routine, such as chores, and family meetings.  This will make him / her feel more as a part of your family.

7.  Try to explain to your student the different activities offered at school, and the clubs also, so that he / she will feel more inclined to join in.  Don't push them too hard but guide them. 

8.  Your student may seem depressed at times and that's not unusual.  It is part of the experience.  Imagine to have to re-do your whole world as it is now in just one year in Japan.  That's how your student will fee like sometimes.

9.  Encourage your student to participate in sports at school.  This will usually get rid of some tension for him / her and help him / her make friends. 

10.  The key word is COMMUNICATION.  Talk about things as soon as they come up; problems, as well as good feelings and emotions.