Going To Japan!

So I was recently searching up Japanese and kanji teaching schools in america to prepare me for what news I just received. I'm going to Japan for my sophomore year! Its a Foreign Exchange student program called the GreenHeart foundation and I can't wait to go on this journey! I need advice on what differences I'll be seeing in Japan than in America, other then the language, advice?

Fantastic. I would do reading on appropriate dress for women as well as general manners and table manners. Even if you don't speak Japanese nobody will be upset with you if you are polite.

> They are heavily focused on study and work and rarely go out to enjoy themselves compared to how often we do. This is a stereotype, and not true in the least.

Well for a starter like yourself :) When you enter in a certain door in an office or someone's home, remember to bow while going in by saying "Shi-tsu-rei-shi-ma-su" [Meaning you will enter inside] and when you leave bow again and say "Shi-tsu-rei-shi-ma-shi-ta" [meaning your about to go out or to leave outside] This is the most basic and the most respectful way to show and aspire the true being and personality of meeting other Japanese citizens properly. Have a good day :)

That's sounds pretty awesome, congratulations. I am currently in Japan in Nara for a study abroad trip as of right now I am surviving off of my rations.

Watch your volume of your voice. Apparently the majority of other countries. mainly American speak too loudly for them. Also fish is everywhere, and apparently a very strong smell in japan so I hope you like fish. They do not have cheese, so you might go though some withdraws, as they will not have most foods you are use to. You will enter certain stages so you might want to look up some youtube videos of people going to japan to study. My favorite is the british guy who was looking for "god damn muffins". Like nothing is in English so unless you have a spare tardis, you might want to brush up on kanji. Everything is expensive and the kitchen is almost non-existing so make sure to budget well. But be glad, it is one of the safest places to ever be as crime is almost non-existing.

Many people in my group are rather but its okay I keep them at a good level. Actually maybe in a smaller town that would be the case. There are many western style foods where I am staying so I can live pretty decent. Actually many things are in english it just depends on where you go. I tend to hang out with people who can read japanese better than me so I am okay.