What are some good student exchange programs?

What are some good student exchange programs for Japan?

• Or maybe a program that lets me go live with a japanese family, and no one comes to my house? I'm home schooled so i'm not sure if i would be able to do it, and if i did change lives, the person coming to my house would have no school to go to :T I would also be interested if there were any art programs i could do in Japan for animation, illustration cartooning comics that sorta stuff (:

• Answer:

  YFU, AFS, and Rotary are frequently called "the big 3" when it comes to exchanges - long histories and good reputations, although a few others are making their way up that list. Please forgive my bias towards YFU - it's the one that I have direct experience with (I am a 5-time host mom and volunteer). I am gaining indirect experience by corresponding with former students. When I have asked exchange students why they chose YFU, I get the following answers: (1) YFU gave them more bang for their buck and/or (2) someone they knew and trusted recommended YFU. 95% of the fees collected by YFU go for direct program costs (airline tickets, support in hosting country, etc.). YFU has been around for 59 years and has learned how to make exchanges successful. Which ever program you choose, make sure they are listed with the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (csiet.org). They routinely audit programs for quality. With YFU, going on an exchange and hosting an exchange student are relatively independent -- if you want to go on exchange, you don' t have to host, but if you did host for X amount of time before going on exchange, you could get a discount. As a note, when filling out the application to go on exchange, you have to provide an educator recommendation and permission for the organization to get your transcript. YFU has had American Overseas students who were home schooled. Obviously, the educator recommendation would have to come from someone one more objective than your parent (I know not all home schools are taught strictly by the parents of the student, just something that may be a consideration in your case). With respect to art programs, there aren't any formal ones set up within YFU, but it's quite possible you might be able to take a class at the school or join a club. I hope this helps. Unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge, it's too late to apply for the 2010-2011 school year or 2010 summer. It is definitely too late to apply for a scholarship. (In a typical year, YFU sends 500 students overseas, 300 will have full or partial scholarships and 150 of those will be to Japan.) Good luck to you no matter what you choose!