First of all, if you like video games or have a Nintendo DS, I suggest you bring it if you go on an exchange (though really it depends). A number of people (mostly Americans) who I saw at the language school everyday enjoyed playing Pokemon games and had fun going to the Pokemon Center and stuff. One day, before school started, I had at least five people playing on their DS's around me.
That brings me to another point: bring things to occupy yourself with. On weekends I usually had hours upon hours to myself, which got very boring very quickly. I had only brought books, and I often wasn't in the mood for reading. Well, save yourself hours of staring at the wall by bringing something fun to do! I only use my Nintendo DS occasionally, but it sure would have been nice if I had brought it to Japan. I even started to wish I had brought my iPod with me, although I rarely use it. I know AFS discourages students from bringing laptops, and with good reason, but it can do a good job of keeping you busy if there's really nothing else to do. Better yet, take a walk! I considered doing this several times, but I never did. I'd honestly rather stay in my air conditioned room than walk around under the hot sun. Or, make plans with someone from school! Don't make the mistake I made. Get phone numbers from people! Meet up with them. First make sure you know about your host family's plans for the weekend.
Now, about the weather in Japan. Overall, it get's very hot. In Nagoya it was very, very hot. Nobody could help but sweat. So carrying around a fan or a small moist towel is not a bad idea.
Also, it's not always easy living with a host family. I suppose it could make or break your experience, but many things depend on that. If there's difficulty, don't let it ruin your experience. Try to resolve things. There should be a lot of available resources, too.
Also, as it was in my case, sometimes you see fellow exchange students everyday (on a large scale that's limited to some of the summer programs though). The point is, you can hear all about what some of the other people are doing with their host families. Don't dwell on hearing about all the cool trips and interesting things someone else has done with their host families. Everyone has a different experience with their host families. Focus on the good things, not on things someone else has done that you wish you could do.
Give yourself time to adjust. Here's an example. One person said that in the beginning he got very homesick, and that he missed his real family. He had some trouble getting used to his host family, and he struggled. Well, things improved a whole lot, and I think he's one of the many people who got the most out of this exchange. He had an absolutely wonderful time in Japan and was fairly devastated about having to leave. He seemed to have made the most friends during this exchange, and he's having a hard time adjusting back to his life in the U.S. The thing is, you can't judge you're time abroad by the first couple of weeks. You never know what can happen.
There was a girl from the U.S. who went home after two and a half weeks because she was homesick. She won't know what she missed. She'll never get those remaining three and a half weeks back.
I thought I had more to write but I can't think of anything now.
Maybe I'll add things later if I think of them.
I added some new pictures to some of my old entries. If you look back you can see them :)
I'll add some pictures here now!
This is a picture that I took from the airplane when I came to Japan.
This is the Nagoya TV tower
This was the view from my bedroom window
This is a traditional Japanese toilet. You're supposed to squat over it. Since you don't come into contact with it, it is considered more sanitary than western toilets by some people. Don't worry, most Japanese homes have western toilets, and many public places have western toilets as well as the Japanese-style one.
A Pikachu car! I saw this near Nagoya station over a week ago.
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