What are the best foreign exchange programs for teenagers?

Adult exchange programs for Japan?

• Hello! So, this might be a long question - I apologize! But also, thank you for your time! :) So when I was a freshman in high school I was very interested in studying, and the idea of working in Japan - a dream I've since carried for 4 years. Last year, in fact, I signed up for the summer (6-week) Japanese exchange program, hosted by YFU (Youth For Understanding). Unfortunately after the tsunami hit Japan, I was unable to go due to external reasons. This really hurt my hope of ever seeing the country, which in turn weakened my drive to pursue this dream. Well, to me at least, it's just one of those things that no matter how hard I try, I can't stop wanting it. So I'm a senior in high school, I've already been accepted into my college of choice. I'm afraid I've waited too long... YFU does not accept applicants 18 years old or more, and my college (Lipscomb University) does not offer exchange programs to Japan. So other than asking my parents to pay (which I'm grateful enough they are paying for my room and board), for me to go down there for an entire summer, alone - I don't see many options to going there. Even if I did, it would be impossible to build academic connections in the country if I'm not sponsored by my school... Are there any 3rd party exchange programs that allow college students/young adults (18+ ages) to go to the country for academic reasons? I've spent too many years learning the language to give up on going. If you have ever been in a situation comparable to this, please help me! Also email me at [email protected] I appreciate ANY advice. Thanks so much.

• Answer:

  Hi! I hope I can offer some help to you :) At my university, we have the option to apply for an exchange through our study abroad office or we can choose a different program sponsor. I'm not sure if your college would give you credits for attending with the outside sponsors, or f you even care to receive credit while abroad, but definitely check into that. The program sponsors my university also allows us to study abroad with are IES Abroad, CIEE, and AsiaLearn. Definitely Google those three program sponsors, if you've never heard of them, and contact them as well as your study abroad office once you figure out which you like, which program, etc. If you've already heard of these sponsors before, then sorry I could be of much help ^^; Good luck and I hope you get there soon!