How can you be a foreign exchange student?

How can i be a foreign exchange student if my school doesn't have the program?

• so i really wanna become a foreign exchange student and study abroad in japan my junior year (i'm a sophomore), but my school doesn't have the program. what can i do? i really really wanna go to japan! does that mean that if for some reason i do end up going to japan, my school wont give me any credit and when i come back i'll have to do my junior year all over again??

• Answer:

  First, to be technical I think what you mean is you want to study abroad. A foreign exchange student is someone who attends one school while someone from the school you attend attends your school. Study abroad is where you attend a university in a different country. Now about your question. I would meet with a study abroad advisor at your school. They should direct you to study abroad providers that offer programs in Japan for your major. These might cost more because it won't be directly through your school but I do not know for sure (all schools and providers are different). You can also try to directly enroll in a Japanese university (again, the study abroad office can help you with this). As for the credit thing, plan your schedule while abroad with your academic advisor once you find out which Japanese school you are going to. That will ensure that they approve of your schedule (your abroad classes fulfill a requirement at your school) and more importantly that you will get credit for the classes you take while abroad.