Student Exchange!
 

Hello! I'm a sophomore and considering a student an exchange my junior year to Japan for a full school year and wondered if anyone had any advice to give!


Anything would be appreciated!


:rheart:
Teh Lilith!

I'm not sure where you go to college at, but I did an amazing program through Temple UNiversity in Philadelphia at Temple University Japan. The school is right in the heart of Tokyo, and it's an American university in Japan, so all the classes they offer are in English, and all in all it was a really stellar experience.

Temple University, Japan Campus

Feel free to ask me anything about it ^^

Well, see, that is the issue, I am not in college yet! I am just an advanced 10th grader in high school still, although my biggest worry is my credit not transferring and me not getting my junior year counted, then again it is a Japanese school structure which means they are light-years ahead of us...however my other fear is not money or anything, that is taken care of, it is just living with a family I do not know....


But, if I do change my mind and do it in college, I will consider that choice! ^_^

In short, Japanese high school is hell. I would MUCH rather do a year exchange in a Japanese college than a Japanese high school. High school means homestay, LONG days and lots of not understanding what the hell is going on.

Many colleges have English programs, so you would be learning in English, getting credits, living in the dorms, and being able to enjoy life with bit more freedom. I would encourage looking for a short stay high school program to see how you like it.

So just do a summer or a semester program then apply again once I am in college? That would be easier, I'm sure. Although they're school calendar is very, very different then ours....I guess I am just nervous is all. ahahahaha

I am saying do a three-week exchange. Do you speak Japanese fluently? What are you going to "learn" in a semester in Japan besides Japanese, and what are you not going to learn?

I have the same problem in Japanese that I have in French and German, I can read and write in it, but I cannot carry on a conversation, so, I hoped that in Japan I could learn conversational habits much more easier. Also, I want a more rigorous course, I am in the IB (if you know what that is, if not, I will explain later) program at school, and I do not find it at all any different than the simple Advanced Placement. However, I do not know what I would not learn, perhaps I will see?

Furthermore, is homestay that horrible?

Homestay can be wonderful or horrible, it just depends on what you want and what they want and if that matches up.

I see, I see. I appreciate the help so, so much! Is there anything that I should know about Japan now? I heard the crime rate is severly bad and the people hate Americans, but then against I have also heard that it is lovely and the people love Americans.


It leaves me confuzzled.

Huh? In general, the crime rate in Japan is much lower than in America, especially violent crimes. And I have never met any discrimination as an American. Hate Americans?! We are allies. American movies and music are very popular. TV shows too. I don't know where you heard that one.

I see, I see!
Danke, danke!



I owe you my life.
o.o

My mistake. When you said sophomore, I thought you meant sophomore in college X3

It's all goooood ^_^

I can just speak from what my friends in homestay have told me. I have known (and know) maybe 10 guys&girls that have either done, or are currently doing homestay.

Basically I have only had one friend that actually had real problems with his 'family'. They just did not get along _at all_ for a variety of reason (expectations and whatnot, I did not really investigate the matter). He was a good guy though, so don't think he was some asshole causing all problems himself.

Besides that the consensus have been that the families have been very friendly and helpful. Most have been doing it for quite a while (like one of my friend's family currently which has been doing it for 10-15 years something). So usually they have experience in dealing with foreign students.

Naturally also it's a very good opportunity for working on your japanese. You also get good food every day.

The negative sides (which is probably why I'm not in homestay) are:

* You are less free in a sense. Even if your family does not care if you stay out late, or whatever, they will usually have a time when they serve food. Most people will try to honor that, and thus go home at a certain time. I like to be able to eat my dinner at anywhere between 6-11 PM without feeling guilty. Also while partying all night have not been a major problem for my friends, they atleast have to tell their family what their plans are.

* Most homestay families don't live in central areas of Tokyo (Tokyo is my example since it's the only place in Japan I have lived in / currently live in). Schools however can be quite central. This means you can very likely have a commute time of 1 - 1½ hours one way to get to school. Keep in mind tho that you likely will have to commute if you live somewhere else too, just not as long (if you're not very lucky to get a place/room within walking distance).