Foreign Exchange in HIgh School?

Question

I am a freshmen in high school, and I would like to participate in a foreign exchange to Japan.

I've always wanted to go to Japan, to experience the culture. I would like to go for an entire school year, but i dont know when to go.

I was looking into going Junior year, but i realized that i have Act that year, i dont know if i could take the test in Japan, or if i should go sophmore year, but i dont know if my parents will let me go that early.

I have heard many people say to go Junior year, but none mentioned the test. Any help will be appreciated. I choose best answer.

Any tips, suggestions, would be highly appreciated.

PS: I am looking into the program AFS, but i would also like a program that offers some scolorships...Help me.

Answer 1

I suggest EF or education first. Check the site oue, its pretty cool. The price is resonable like 9000 for a full year. I wish I could go, my parents would never let me. if you get to go, tell me about your experience.  

Answer 2

My college partners with AFS for study abroad, and I've heard it's a really good program.  There are also outside scholarships you could apply for.  Check out Fastweb.com.  It's a great place to start, and you can also check on scholarships for college.  You can always take your ACT when you get back from Japan.  You just won't have as much time to retake it, if you decide you aren't happy with your score.  Depending on when you get back though, you should have time to retake it at least once.  I would suggest going, if you can pull it off.  It would look great on a college application, and the experience would be amazing!

Answer 3

I suggest asking your school counselor about your test.

For good programs log onto www.CSIET.org

In addition to AFS I recommend

www.pieusa.org

www.rotary.org

Just an FYI the school year in Japan starts in early April.

Contact the Japanese consulate in Washington for scholarships.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I would suggest going your Junior year. I'm sure that you can make the test when you get back, you should talk to your guidance councilor about it as well as how to get credit or classes that you take in Japan.

AFS is definitely the best choice for a High School exchange and they do offer scholarships.

If you know for sure that you want to go to Japan I would recommend you apply now, that way you'll have the best chance of getting into the program. Be as honest as you can on your application since the host families are choosing you based on what you put on it.

Get a head start and research Japan a little bit and talk with your local AFS office to see if they can get in contact with an AFS returnee who has been to Japan and knows what's it's like.

Here are some sites to take a look at:

http://www.afsusa.org/usa_en/home

http://www.afsusa.org/usa_en/focus_on/hi...

http://www.afsusa.org/usa_en/view/5137

http://afsfundraising.wetpaint.com/?t=an...

http://www.afsdiscussion.org/

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gi...

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gi...

http://www.exchangestudentworld.com/

http://www.cultures-shocked.org/forum/

Good Luck!

Answer 5

You can make up the ACT when you get home. Your junior year is the best time to go.

YFU offers a lot of great scholarships but I think they only offer semester programs now. You would have to check. I went through YFU 8 years ago and it was great. The only thing I didn't like is all the group activities they make you do through YFU. They were a waste of time and I wasn't paying to be in Japan so I could chat with Americans. I think all exchange student programs are like that though.