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What are some foreign exchange programs?

What are some of the best Foreign Exchange Programs?

  • I am planning on becoming a Foreign exchange student to Japan next year, and would like to know some of the best programs. What do they offer? How much is the cost? Do they offer scholarships? Are the more expensive ones usually better? and how? And additional information is greatly appreciated. (:

  • Answer:

    Going on exchange is an experience unlike any other! It's great that you are gathering information. The best thing is to go with an organization so that you can make sure that everything is taken care of and you have support while in Japan. My biggest piece of advice is to go with a program that is listed with the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (csiet.org). They routinely audit programs for quality. I would like to cast a vote for Youth For Understanding (YFU). YFU is one of the oldest (59yrs old), largest (in typical year, 2000 students come to USA, 500 go overseas from USA), and most respected exchange programs around. When I have asked exchange students why they chose YFU, they gave one (or both) of the following answers: someone they trusted recommended YFU and/or YFU gave them more bang for their buck. 95% of the fees collected by YFU go for direct program costs (airline tickets, finding a host family, support while in the hosting country, etc.). I am a 5-time host mom and volunteer with YFU. If you would like to contact former YFU exchange students, you can go to http://yfuusa.org/american-students/more-information/alumni-referral.php . Unfortunately, of the more than dozen students listed, only one when for a year - the rest went for summers. Speaking of which, it is too late to apply for a full year program. However, you can still apply for semester or summer programs. There are quite a few scholarships for Japan. The amount of each varies and they are competitive (although I would imagine most have multiple awards). Are the more expensive organizations better? I can't speculate on that. All I can tell you is that YFU is an awesome organization! Others will have to tell you about other organizations. Good luck to you no matter what you choose. Feel free to email me.

Cami at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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You probably really don't want to hear this, but your probably WAY TOO LATE to go to Japan next year. Most of the programs had application deadlines October-ish. Thats mainly because of the time it takes to get everything sorted for students to go. But any way I suppose you could poke arround and try because you never know but you're going to have to move quickly. You should try; -Afs -Yfu -Rotary -Ef All are big well established programs with minimal negativity (ALL programs have people who have had a bad experiences). How you should go about this is to go to the above organisations websites and they'll tell you were to go from there, this will normally be a short apllication online, or one sent via the mail. The websites will usually have phone numbers and contact adresses if you have questions. The study abroad programs are usually $4000-$10,000+ depending on where your going and how long your going for. Just beware the prices the programs charge almost allways do not include airfares or spending money for the programs, but they will tell you how much is recomended to take. Once you've done the initial short application you will be sent a much longer and more indepth one, once this is completed it is usualy followed by an interveiw at home with your family. Then if you are accepted a paayment plan is usualy planed and you begin payments. You probably wont hear much from the exchange program until like a month before you depart (for Japan most programs leave in march). Shcolarships are a good thing to apply for, just because someones 'not a genius' doesn't mean they can't get a shcolarship, for exchanges most of the time there looking for someone who is outgoing, friendly and adventurous, smarts are a bonus but honestly theres very little point in sending a genius who's going to spend there whole time not doing anything. Alot of the shcolarships are means tested (how much your parants make). GOOD LUCK!!!

Chris

The easiest is to just go through your university. Other places you may look are any US State Dept grants as well as S.I.T. which is very popular amongst students that study abroad.

Matthew B

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