Does anyone know any cheap foreign exchange programs for high school students?

Here are some of the programs that I found. They are very expensive by the way...it costs nearly $6000 for a month stay!! http://www.usa.afs.org/index.cfm?method=gostudprogramjpnshsls http://www.ayusastudyabroad.org/japan I actually think it's better to study in a Japanese high school for a while if possible. This program offers a semester or a year program which costs the same amount as a month program that I listed above! $6000 for a year stay! http://www.cci-exchange.com/hsa_japan.htm Well check out this website. It has lots of info on the programs that you might be interested in. http://www.colorado.edu/ealld/atj/Bridging/ABRD-hs.html

Rotary International sponsors an year-long exchange program high school students at low cost to the student, called Rotary Youth Exchange. You can choose to go while you are still in high school for credit or the year after you graduate before you start college. You are responsible for your plane ticket and spending money while you are there. You are housed with a host family and you get a monthly allowance (not much, about $75). It is a wonderful experience. I was a Rotary exchange student to Spain five years ago. I know you said you only want to go for a short time, but a year abroad changes your life. I would strongly recommend it. They also offer short-term programs but I do not know much about them. See the website below. Good luck!

I know my advice will probably go against everyhing you have heard but here goes. If it is only for a month or so, I suggest you set up something yourself! It is MUCH MUCH cheaper to enter a small Japanese language school for an intensive course and rent a small apartment for a month than to go through an arrangement program. If it is only one month and you do not work, you do not need a special visa. I came to Japan just after I turned 17 and arranged everything myself. I was here for 3 months that time, and didn`t spend very much money. It is best to get a feeling for things first. If you want to know more, please email me.