..Are you feeling alright?

I'm applying for a homestay, for one year to go to school and the whole nine. When I first got this idea.. I was completely psyched.. At the mere mention of "Yeh I'm doing a homestay here in Japan" I'd be positively giddy.. Heh.. And I still am.. But something my mom mentioned (She is completely against me going.. Heh.. Doesn't think It is at all a good idea) to me made me think.. Will I be homesick? I mean.. If I get accepted I am going for a whole year without seeing any of the people I'm accustomed to seeing. Has anyone done a homestay and did it get really bad to the point you wanted to go home just to see a familiar face? Either way I'm going if possible.. And I'll be sure to have as much fun as possible all the time.. But does missing your family and friends overpower the love for Japan? Did you feel this way at one point but are happy now that you stayed in Japan? What are the pros and cons of a homestay? Just wondering what are your thoughts and answers to this.. Heh.

KﾃｮŊG

I've never done a homestay, but.... Yeah, you'll get a little homesick, but don't worry about it. The experience makes it worth it. You're tough, you can handle it. Just don't dwell on it, focus on getting the most out of your time in Japan.

Of course you miss your friends and family, but it's not like it's impossible to reach them. Phone calls, emails, care packages, even visits aren't out of the question. Plus, the idea is to make a ton of new friends there so that you'll have someone to miss when you come home. I was only there for 6 months, and when I got back, it was like I was away at war or something. It's nice to be missed, but don't let thoughts of home ruin your opportunity to really learn something about a new culture and yourself. I'm getting real cheesy here, but it really is true: you won't think about it that much.

I was a little homesick but I had the mindset of "Im in Japan, im here for a YEAR, and after that who knows if I'll ever come back again, EVER. I'm going home DEFINITLY, so I might as well make the most of what I have NOW".