Anyone know a good Japanese Foreign exchange program for a high school student?

Question

I am currently a sophomore and I would like to go to Japan this year. I am currently learning Japanese, (I already know hiragana and katakana and about 70 kanji), but I don't have "official credits".

I was wondering if there was an international school or something with boarding? Like, I would like to go to a school that taught in English, but you take Japanese classes. I'm worried about high school credits and such though... : / Just a school with room/ board and taught exchange students. Anyone know of one?

Or even a summer program, that you go to Japan for 3 months or something.

**I'm really desperate. ^^;

Answer 1

A foreign exchange student program is not a boarding school. I could not help you with that. A foreign exchange program will place you with a host family and you will live with that family during your exchange experience (whether a year or a semester). You will attend a Japanese school and learn in Japanese.

You can find a program certified to operate in the U.S. at www.csiet.org. However, that's still a pretty long list, so I'd also advise checking with your school counselor for a recommendation. A program is only as good as its local representatives. Generally speaking, AFS, Aspect, Rotary and YFU are reliable everywhere. ASSE is reliable in some places. AYUSA (which I understand is associated with INTRAX) has lots of problems -- their students are not admitted into our schools.

Most U.S. high schools will grant credit for an exchange year if it's done through an accredited program. That would include foreign language, social studies, and independent study. Also, depending upon what classes you would take in Japan, you school might also grant English, math and science credit.

If you wish to go next year (2008-09) it may be too late to apply -- programs are already placing students -- but it's worth a try!

For more information on exchange programs, here's an on-line community you can check out!

http://www.exchangestudentworld.com/

(For those of you who would like to "violate" this for "solicitation" be aware that this is not a company selling anything, but a forum for high school and college students to exchange information on their experiences).

Good luck!