Orientation (Now with more detail!)

So, as stated in my last post, I had my orientation yesterday. We went over:
Rules
Punishment if rules are broken
The first few weeks
Emotions during exchange
Relationship with the host family
Money
Stuff to pack
(more or less in that order)

Rules:
This is pretty logical really. Don't to anything stupid. Be good to your host school/family.

I can take trips to other places (Such as Osaka, or Kyoto, which I plan to visit) if:
1: Host family agrees with my plans
2: My biological family agrees with my plans
3: The trip takes place during a school holiday
4: I've talked about it with my local coordinator
5: EIL authorizes the trip

Also, I think the destination has to be within 2 hours of your placement.

Punishment:
Breaking more serious rules (doing drugs, fighting etc.) will get me sent home pretty quickly.
Behaving poorly will get me a warning letter. After they send out a warning letter, I have a sort of "probation period", where I must improve my behavior. If I don't, I could get sent home.

First few weeks:
This was just kinda lessening the culture shock. It goes over the differences in family life, food and language.
It also notes that I shouldn't meet with the too often, because they think that it will hinder my integration into Japanese life.

Emotions:
They actually called it the "Student progression during the program" It goes:
Arrival - You're all excited and jet-lagged, and ready to take on this foreign country
Culture shock - "They do everything wrong!" Everything seems so (ironically) foreign
Superficial Accommodation - You try to be Japanese, but it just doesn't feel right.
Frustration - Why is everything so different!!
Genuine Adjustment - Whee~! You finally realize that what they're doing isn't wrong, but is just a different way of everyday life. This is natural for them.
Return Jitters - Things will be different when you go back home. You'll miss your new friends and family
---------
Return Culture Shock - GODDAMMIT! you've found a 'better' way of doing things, and no one seems to understand!
Resolution - You do some things the old way, and some the new way.

Relationship:
Hosts are expected to to provide food and shelter, and consider you as one of their own.
You must be well behaved and abide by the host family's rules.
You must ask your host parents before going out (staying in the general vicinity). When you go out, your host family should know who you're with, where you are, and what time you plan on coming home. If plans change at the last minute, you ask your host family for permission (That's pretty normal stuff for me. Of course, I often reply with "I don't know", because I don't often plan out a whole day)

If you use the phone, you must reimburse your host family.

You should spend minimal time on a computer, because this hinders integration, since it's time not spent with your host family or friends.

You are expected to take on chores.

You can address your host family by either their first names or as 'mom' and 'dad'. (I'm probably going to start out with the last name [typical Japanese way of speaking] and wait until I'm told not to)

Host siblings may be just like your real siblings: younger or older, like the things you like or not etc.

Spend time with your host family and bond with them.

You and your host family's cultures are very different. Some things that are common in Japanese culture may seem absurd, and vice versa. You should have open conversations about these differences with your host family. It will make understanding easier.

Money:
I will need ~$600 when I land in Japan for uniform, travel costs, entertainment etc.
As well, you will ship your luggage to your host family, as the first 3 days will be spent in the Olympic Memorial Youth Center. Shipment will cost $20-$30 per bag.After that, it is recommended to have access to $300-$400 a month for clothes, toiletries, stamps/postcards/phone calls, gifts/birthday cards, souvenirs/trips/movies/restaurants, bus/train, cell phone etc.

HOW TO RECEIVE MONEY (this question was bothering me)
Have a bank account in your home country and get a debit card. Make sure that the card is part of the PLUS network (on the back of your debit card, look for this logo). Most ATMs in 7-11s and and major post offices will work with debit cards on the PLUS network. You can then go to these ATMs and withdraw money for a small fee. I recommend taking out something like $300 at a time, just so you don't end up loosing all of your money because of this fee. Not many places take credit or debit cards directly.


So yeah, that was most of the orientation.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'll try to answer them as best as I can :3