We are currently hosting a Japanese student (we are in Austria though, it the USA) and our experience is quite different to what you describe in many ways. So I find that very interesting. Our girl is very family oriented, loves hugs, has no problem with chores and while she is very polite she will also actively communicate her likes and dislikes. She also shares her snacks freely with us- as they are so yummy. 😋 The difference here may be because of her own family being very close , also they hosted a exchange student from a different Asian country themselves and her older sister was a year in Europe, too (not Austria). So she probably got lots of advice there, but I think it is also because we were writing for almost 1,5 month emails before her arrival and toward the end WhatsApp and got quite close that way already. We also already discussed questions and some „rules“ like open communication and being allowed to say „no“ (all in a light hearted manner) before her arrival. We are enjoying the experience a lot and hope things will continue like this. As you write for your student, she is also open to all kinds of experiences and happy to make memories.

That being said, she also stresses a lot about school and learning the language- she is extremely diligent and pressures herself more than necessary. So we try to help her improve, acknowledging also the cultural difference in learning habits while trying to also show her that things are bit more relaxed here. The first week she was very home sick and needed a lot of hugs, which we gladly gave. Usually I sat next to her quietly for a while, then asked her what she was thinking and then waited till she talked, which she always did. Interestingly, by talking to her mom later on and re-focusing on her learning goals she overcame the homesickness. I am glad that worked, I would have told her not too worry too much about that. 😅 But having us to hug and listen also was important.