Are there any good Summer Abroad Programs?

When do study abroad programs to Japan for the summer of 2010 stop accepting applications?

• I want to go to Japan this summer, not next summer. But I'm under 18, so there are a lot of programs that won't allow me in. The ones that have the intensive Japanese language program I need (& have it for students under 18) seem to close their applications early. Many expect you to apply 6 months in advance. It's 2 May, so there's only about a month & a half before summer. I'm afraid all the programs might be closed already, but I'm not sure. I need to know if they all close early or if there are still some that will let me in. And if there are any that are still open, I'll need to know what they are... but I need to know right away! Any help will greatly appreciated! どうか私を助けて! (Or is it just 助けてください。? I can't tell what the usage difference is... -.-; ) P.S. I'm currently looking here cuz it gives me a lot of different places to look. --> http://www.studyabroad.com/programs/summer/japan If you have a better place to look, please tell me!

• Answer:

  Basically all programs are closed now. Maybe there are a few stragglers, but when it comes to study abroad you don't want to be stuck with what everyone else decided NOT to go with. They have to do it early because it takes a lot of planning. They have to approve your application and then once they do they have to find you a place to stay. When it comes to host families, they need to know early on how many kids to expect because then they have to go out searching for families who can help out. They also need to arrange for picking you up and transporting you to your destinate once you enter Japan, and since you're a minor they take making sure you arrive safely, on time, and generally in a big group very seriously. They can't have everyone planned to be leaving on X flight from X airport and arriving at X time and then have someone come in at the last minute and do something completely different. The Japanese really don't like to function like that. Just 助けてください is all that's needed.