How do I become a foreign exchange student?

How to become a foreign exchange student?

• Well I'm barely going to be in 8th grade this year, but in high school I really want to be a foreign exchange student in japan. I don't know how to speak Japanese at all... So do I have to be fluent in Japanese to be able to go? And what's the best year in high school to go? I DON'T want to go in my senior year or freshman.... So what's better? Also my family isn't in a good financial state right now, so is there a way that I can get in without spending a lot of money? What's the best foreign exchange student program that is reliable? Oh... and how long does the whole process take once I apply....? Um does it help that I have good grades because I have a 4.0 and I'm in an advance math class...... Yeah so I would really appreciate your help ^^ Ah and I was born and raised here in america and I'm Mexican... Btw....

• Answer:

  Hi, you can pay lots of money for an agency and they will find a family for you and a school and help you with the formalities for a student exchange. Simply google "student exchange Japan" and you will find many agencies, but be aware, they will charge you thousands of $. Alternatively you can arrange the exchange yourself by finding a family privately. My suggestion is to use a portal like www.best-student-exchange.com (Best Exchange Student Ltd.) where you can find families from all over the world who want to exchange with you. This is especially recommended, if you are planning a shorter exchange: like 1 or 2 months or just 2 or 3 weeks, to improve your language or to visit the real Japan by living with a real Japanese family.