FAQs about Homestay

Would knowing very limited Japanese be a problem?
It doesn’t really matter if your Japanese Language is limited, what is more important is your attitude and willingness to open up to your host family and communication would never be a problem during your homestay.

I know that we are all assigned individually to stay with a family. Would it be possible to request for two of us to be assigned to stay with one same family?
Although it is possible, we would not recommend it due to the room constraints of your host family. It will also be more exciting and fun to experience the unique experience of homestay.

I notice that most of your homestay programs are planned in july - aug and in mid-dec. Is this period fixed? Would it be possible for there to be a homestay other than the prescribed period?
These two periods are the more popular periods for homestay as working adults and students alike can afford the luxury of two weeks leave from work or school. For periods outside the prescribed period, it depends on a case by case basis.

I would like to check if it is possible for us to stay for a week instead of two weeks? Will the meals be provided by the family?
We recommend at least 10 days of homestay for you to truly bond with your host families. Shorter periods are not as conducive to build up the bond as the homestay would be more like a touch and go affair.

Does the total cost also cover the food and what is the itinerary like? Would I get to go and see places of interest or I just stay with the host.
As a general guideline, the cost does not include meals for your entire homestay. Your host family is hosting you out of goodwill and they do not receive any payment. For commercial homestays, the cost could work out to approximately SGD $80 per day and this would work out to be at least SGD $1100 for a two week homestay . The itinerary is not fixed and it is dependent on host family. You host family might plan a ski vacation, fix up a visit to the local elementary school or just have a picnic in the park. It all depends on their schedule and it varies from family to family. Thus it is truly a unique homestay experience which is only applicable to you and you alone.

I would like to enquire about the completion of the application form. May I know what to fill in under the 'Host Family Request' category?
That portion is applicable to ex-participants who would like to do homestay with their host family again. For first-timers, just leave that portion blank.

Does it matter if I am not Singaporean but a foreigner or PR?
Some participants from other countries might be required to apply for a Japan VISA to enter the country.

Is there a maximum intake?
There is no maximum intake for we are more selective to pick out participants with good attitude which can be observed from the way they fill up the application form and through the orientation camps and interaction with the homestay coordinators. However we would like to keep a minimum number to enjoy group discounts for air tickets.

Would like to check if the deposit is refundable?
The deposit is a committment on the participant's part to show committment to the homestay. The deposit is refundable provided that the matchmaking process has not started or any costs have not been committed on our part. This could include courier costs, booking of camp facilities. However, we have refunded the deposit in total based on special circumstances etc. We would not want the participant to pull out on us at the last minute after all the host family allocation, air ticket etc has been completed which has happened before but we are also flexible when it comes to refund of deposit due to genuine reasons.

Any screening interview?
It depends on the response. If there is overwhelming response, we might have to conduct interviews.