Are there any good Summer Abroad Programs?

What are some good study abroad programs for high school summer sessions in Japan?

• I'm a Junior in high school at the moment, and would really love to spend the summer in Japan, learning the language and culture. I'd like a host family, but wouldn't mind staying in a dorm. Any suggestions?

• Answer:

  The summer as in this summer right around the corner? It's more than likely too late to apply now for most programs. LanguBridge's summer program in Tokyo still [barely] is open: http://www.langubridge.org/tksumfee.htm but it's quite costly and does not include airfare (flying to Japan and back is about $1200USD). They also don't have the best reviews (mainly the testing was too difficult and the classrooms too cramped). Although I am almost 100% sure application is closed now because usually it ends March 31st, for next year (anyone can attend of any age) you might consider keeping an eye on the America-Japan Grassroots Summit. You and a group of others go to a city in Japan usually spending a night in a traditional inn, then homestaying for about a week, and then you go on to another city of your choice. Most of the cities they send you to are small and more rural and so the city after that is usually much bigger: like Kyoto or Tokyo or whatever you choose. During your homestay you spend a lot of time being guided around by the people in charge of the program, but on your other trip you're basically free to do as you please and you don't have a homestay family at this point in time either. You don't take any language classes in particular, but you do visit many cultural sites. I went in 2007 so if you want to know more you can ask me.