I'm 15 and I'd like to go to a Japanese high school in Japan for my senior year (or at least half of it). How much does it cost and how can I go about doing it? I plan to work in Japan in the future so I'd really like to go. How can I convince my parents? Anyone ever done this before? What would living there be like? Please post any useful information. Thanks. I'm homeschooled. I don't have any clubs to join or counselors to talk to.
Studying Abroad - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
In high school I was part of this club called Interact which is the high school verions of the Rotary club and because I was in it, they offered me a chance to study aboard my senior year of high school. I wound up not being able to go but my friend did go to Japan through the program. The great thing about being in Interact is that you can go to Japan and study there for free (just pay for your food, souvenirs and plane tickets)! It's actually an exchange program. You go and live with a family in Japan that has a daughter (if you're a girl) your age so that you would have someone your age to talk to. I think you would go to an international school where classes are taught in English but you would still be able to learn Japanese. To go about this, you should contact the Rotary club in your area (if you have one check :http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/SiteTools/ClubLocator/Pages/ridefault.aspx) and see if they can sponser you). My parents were really open when told them I wanted to go so I hope that your parents are the kind that are willing to let you have this really great experience. Japan is one of the safest places in the world but the problem might just be that your parents will have a very difficult time letting you go. You might want to convince them by saying that you will be going to college soon and going Japan is just for you to get experience on being very independent. I'll be going to Japan for the first time this winter break but I know it's an amazing place to live if you like city life. It's extremely clean and amazingly safe compared to most places. I missed out on this but I really hope you don't because I was so jealous of my friend that did go.
2 :
Rotary is a great option for this! It is also the cheapest, but the most competitive. The good news is there are MANY program out there. Here are some ideas to help convince your parents. 1. Maturity. You will grow up and get experiences overcoming some of the biggest challenges of your life. You will learn great people skills and gain the ability to get along with people from all walks of life. 2. Language. You will have the opportunity for language and cultural immersion, the proven best way to learn! People who speak more than one language are in high demand in the workforce and can often command a higher salary. 3. College. Colleges and university LOVE exchange students and many prestigious ones offer preferred admissions and sometime scholarship money. 4. Citizenship. While you are learning to appreciate another culture and country, you will also be getting a deeper understanding of your own. As an exchange student, you'll be finding yourself researching the U.S. political systems, history and culture -- so you can explain it to your new friends! You'll be a young ambassador for the U.S. 5. Fun! Yes, it will be fun and exciting. It will also be boring and you'll be homesick at times too -- but that's part of the experience and you should let your parents know you realize this. 6. Expenses. This is expensive! Offer to pay for part of it and apply for scholarships. Get a job so you can pay your own personal expenses. 7. Research! Before approaching your parents again, do some research. Find some good organizations. Rotary is the cheapest, but most competitive. You can find a list of all of those certified to operate in the U.S. at www.csiet.org. Contact your school counselor for a recommendation as well. An organization is only as good as the local people who represent it. 8. Have a plan. Talk to your counselor about how you could arrange your classes so you graduate on time. 9. Go to www.exchangestudentworld.com. This site was developed for exchange students around the world and it will have a lot of information for both you and your parents. If you should be lucky enough to go, it also has a diary you can keep. 10. Meet and get to know the exchange students at your school (if you have some). Invite them home to meet your parents. The best "persuasion" might come from kids already doing it! Good luck! I hope you realize your goal!
3 :
I think most of high school students are the exchange student and stay with host family. Living expenses are high in Japan, but if you go by exchange programs, I think it's not extremely expensive at least compared to universities/colleges. In my high school (1990s), there were one or two exchange students from US, Australia, New Zealand and Thai each year. http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/studyabroadprograms.htm http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj_stope.html In 2006, there were 1866 students in high schools in Japan, they came from China, US, Australia etc. http://news.goo.ne.jp/article/kyodo/life/CO2007110801000582.html
Read more discussion :
