As a tender 15 year old boy, I attended an all-girls high-school in Japan.
Those days in Japan were hands-down the single most empowering experience of my adolescent life, even though, sadly, at the time I had no idea how to talk to girls of any nationality.
What made my travel in Japan so empowering and memorable were the home-stay families who bid me welcome.
I’m now convinced that the single best way to gain an in-depth understanding of a local culture is to participate in a home-stay.
Whether you’re a high-school student applying for a summer program, a college student studying abroad in Italy, or a retiree volunteering at an organic farm in Vermont, it’s my sincere hope that these ten tips will help you get the most out of your home-stay.