I am a 29 year old American seeking to live with a Japanese family in
the Japan country-side so as to improve my Japanese. I can pay a
little money each month and help with chores, cooking, and English
tutoring. I lived in Japan for 1.5 years, but recently moved to China
for a new job. The company here in Beijing went bankrupt, so now I am
seeking to return to Japan but really need to improve my Japanese in
order to get a job in my field--information technology. I can
communicate in Japanese, but my level is only intermediate; not
advanced. I have many Japanese friends in Tokyo who can provide
character references. An ideal answer would identify a specific host
family, but I would also reward someone who identifies a free or very
lost cost web site or other service which quickly results in the
desired aim.

Hello maxhodges,

Here are some web sites below. I haven't hit a home run with this but
I'll look a bit more. Watch for further messages.

Thanks,

rapidreference-ga


1. National Assoc. of Japan-America Societies
<http://www.us-japan.org/>
Access their education site and click on "fellowships and exchanges"
The programs below apply to professionals and students. They may be
ideal for you.
To see a list of all the programs access the url below:
<http://www.us-japan.org/education.html>

Japanese Language and Culture Program
<http://www.us-japan.org/edufiles/jlacp.html>
Japan-US Community Education and Exchange
<http://www.us-japan.org/edufiles/juceae.html>
Eurocentres in Kanazawa <http://www.us-japan.org/edufiles/eik.html>

World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms
This site lists ads of families willing to host - scroll to Japan
<http://www.wwoof.org/wpother.html>

Another option to homestay? Also contains advice for non-students
seeking homestays
<http://www3.tky.3web.ne.jp/~edjacob/accomodation.html>



Google search keywords:

JAPAN AMERICA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION

The Japan-America Society

"japanese family" homestays adults site:org

japan homestay families list







 

http://www.us-japan.org/edufiles/jlacp.html

Thanks, I found a family in Osaka who offered me a place with evening
meals for less than 400 USD monthly! The organic farm site was very
interesting too, something I might consider.

Additional sites:

International Association of Chigasaki 
-arranges homestays
<http://7jp.com/iac/english/english.htm>

Sherese.com
-you can submit a homestay request online (site works best using
Internet Explorer)
<http://www.sharese.com/jap-eng-eng.htm>

Mother lode of sites
Google directory: Cultural exchange in Japan
<http://directory.google.com/Top/Regional/Asia/Japan/Society_and_Culture/Cultural_Exchange/>

If you're not having any luck submit a clarification - I'll see what
else I can do.

Good luck,

rapidreference-ga