Should I Homestay with a family or go Dormitory?

[Shiroisan]

Yo. I'm studying in Japan next year at a language institution, and for accomodations they support both Dormitory life, and Homestay with a Japanese family. Which would you choose if you were in my situation?

On the one hand, Homestay would give me a very rare inside-look at what it's really like to be a part of an authentic Japanese family for a while. It would allow my language skill to probably go through the roof as well, considering it would be day AND night, all Japanese. They'd surely be there to look out for me, and would be able to answer any question I could ever possibly have about Japan, the language, or the culture. They're supposed to cook for you too!

On the other hand, the dormitories would give me the freedom to explore, study, or do whatever I want to do in the land of the rising sun at my leisure. This would surely be the less smothered-like option. Another plus would be being able to hang out with other students from the school, being able to go out together without a huge transportation hassle (same departure point), and could make new friends in the common room.

Another thing to note is that homestay programs usually only lasts 3 months out of your time there anyways, and then you'll be put in the dormitories after that time is up.


So... what would you do? The financial costs are roughly the same, except homestay is slightly more (probably for the cost of the food they'll be cooking for you).

[phreadom]

I think if you're going to end up in the dorms in the end anyway, I'd at least try the homestay option so that I could experience both.

[Jatznic]

If you are going to be there long enough I would do both. I attended an institute called Yamasa while I was living in Japan and choose the dormitory option. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. If you homestay you have be VERY respectful of the rules set forth by your host family. This can pose any number of restrictions on what you can and cannot do. The major advantage to that is the ability to have one of the best resources for study available to you all the time.

The dorm life is also a wonderful option. You have far more freedom, and if you are in a similar situation to what I was in, you will make many new friends from many nations to tool around Japan with. Most dorms still have rule sets, but they are far less stringent than you would find in a homestay situation. Once you get past the restrictions presented on either side, it really comes down to how you study. If you can learn easier from books and classes, the dorm may be the better choice. If you are a more hands on learner, I would definitely go with the homestay.

Cheers!

[ZukoT]

The homestay option gives you all the advantages you mentioned plus it gives you a better picture of what it is like to live in Japan. Tourists behave much more differently than citizens in what they eat and what they do. I would do both. I think you'll have plenty of time to explore Japan and see everything.

[Mikkabozu]

When I was getting ready to do a study abroad, the head of the Japanese Program at my university suggested that I avoid all contact with foreigners during my stay in Japan. I took his advice, lived with a Japanese family for the year, and only hung out with Japanese friends.

I can say that my Japanese progressed far beyond the level of my classmates who did dormitory stays and spent a lot of time tooling around town with other foreigners. And I really believe it was because I immersed myself while I was here.

These days, I live with my Japanese wife and my kids (who speak very little English, sadly), hanging out with Japanese friends and family, and my Japanese is well above that of my acquaintances and co-workers who are touring around Japan with other English-speaking friends (Japanese or otherwise). In fact, I've known people who have been here for years, and still cannot manage basic Japanese.

So, from my experience, if your goal is to learn Japanese, then the homestay is my suggestion.

But, if you are only looking at having fun here for a couple of months and then going back home, the dormitory is probably your best bet. Being with other foreigners can help out a lot - you have no pressure to speak Japanese and can enjoy Japan together as non-natives. You all know where the other is coming from and can create a great support network.

At the same time, that 'English Bubble' is not going to help you learn Japanese in any way, shape or form (forgive the cliche).

I think it really depends on what your true aim is in being here in Japan.

[Shiroisan]

I think it really depends on what your true aim is in being here in Japan.

I think you hit the nail on the head there, I've been questioning myself about that for some time. Just how far am I wanting to go down the rabbit hole? Do I want to make a life over there? I really can't say for certain. The only thing I do know is that I want Japan and it's culture to somehow become a part of the rest of my life.

[KyleSmith]

Homestay nowadays are getting better experience. I've tried different homestay on my travel experiences and its pretty amazing. I get to know different people from different races.