Foreign exchange to Japan.

Foreign exchange student for Japan...?

• I live in the U.S.A and I asked my mom if I could be a foreign exchange student in Japan when I am in high-school. My mom said yes. I have a few questions, though: How do you become a foreign exchange student? Do you have to be at a certain grade level? Do I have to learn Japanese, or do they teach it there? Can I get there? because I heard it was hard to get into Japan. If you've ever been a foreign exchange student before, please help. Also, if you can speak fluent Japanese, will you be willing to teach me via email/IM/etc.

• Answer:

  Its hard to move to Japan, not to be a student there. I went there my Junior year of high school and it was not hard. I got to live with a host family. However, they do not usually teach Japanese beyond a couple phrases. You should study before you go. Try an online school. http://www.japonin.com/ http://www.yesjapan.com/YJ6/ When I went, I went through this program: http://www.yfu-usa.org/ The more common one is Rotary: http://www.rotary.org/en/studentsandyouth/youthprograms/rotaryyouthexchange/pages/ridefault.aspx Don't expect people to speak English. I studied for one year before I went. Also, I was lucky that my host sister studied English and spoke it really well. Not everyone had that. Also, depending on where you are in High School, you might be able to take lessons at the college and get credit for it (assuming you live close to a college that has Japanese classes) Anyway, its a really great experience and its great that your mom is open to letting you do it. Good luck and feel free to message me if you have any other questions.