What was your experience with Rotary Youth Exchange like?

Exchange program?

• Has anyone ever traveled with the YFU (Youth For Understanding) exchange program? If so, how was your experience and where did you go?

• Answer:

  Yes, I went to Japan for a summer while I was in high school. The program was great. It was my first time going abroad alone, and I was nervous. But YFU held a weekend orientation session (think it was in Seattle) where we learned etiquette, expectations, etc. We also got a chance to meet fellow students and make friends. We arrived in Japan and a representative from YFU took us via train to Nagoya, our host city. We were then introduced to our host family. My host mom and dad didn't speak any English. But their daughter, who was in school, left a note written in English welcoming me and giving me instructions on what we were going to do that day. My host family took me to get fitted for a uniform (required for school) and we grabbed some lunch. I met the whole family over dinner that night. A few of us were assigned to the same high school (Meiji International School). We attended classes, usually together with the foreign students, but sometimes with the Japanese students. It was so interesting to see the daily life, and contrast w/ our life in America. We didn't take tests or anything, it was more just the experience. My host sister and I toured Nagoya Castle and other sights in the city. We went shopping and tried various kinds of Japanese food. We rode bicycles around and visited her friends. All in all, I had a great experience and would definitely recommend it. I still keep in touch w/ my host family :) Have fun!!