How would someone go about getting into an exchange program?
I would like to do my senior year in high school in Japan. So im looking for an exchange program, I haven't found one yet but i know someone who is going his senior year and is doing an outside of school exchange program. I know i need to be fuelent in the lanugage, but what else would i need. And if anyone knows of any website that would help in finding an exchange program it would help. thanks
Studying Abroad - 3 Answers
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1 :
I have never been on a foreign exchange but I have researched it. There are many programs but the three most recommended are Rotary, AFS, and YFU. Rotary is the cheapest but additionally the hardest to get in to. Hope this helps!
2 :
goabroad.com =>>> http://www.highschoolprogramsabroad.com/ Just use the drop down boxes to pick your specific requirements...If you are unsure about any of them just leave that specific one on any. Hope I helped. If that doesn't work try studyabroad.com I really wish you luck. It's really really hard to do these things. You don't exactly have to be fluent either. To look for ones where you can speak English during the "excursion" just go to the Language You Would Like To Speak, and pick English. There are surprisingly quite a few options. You have tons of options that will fit almost anyone's certain requirements. I wish you luck. Tell me how it goes!!!!! Katie Mac P.S. EDIT: Dude, that Dam ENgineering huy below me is AWESOME! That changes everything right now...'Tay not everything, but I'll look into that. Even though this isn't my question, thank you cool dude with a lot of knowledge. No wonder you're a top dude. Thank you, you are great. ^You should read that dudes thing. It's a lot, but it has a lot of useful stuff. Whoa!!
3 :
YFU (Youth For Understanding), AFS, and Rotary are frequently called "the big 3" when it comes to exchanges - long histories and good reputations, although a few others are making their way up that list. Please forgive my bias towards YFU - it's the one that I have direct experience with (I am a 5-time host mom and volunteer). I am gaining indirect experience by corresponding with former students. When I have asked exchange students why they chose YFU, I get the following answers: (1) YFU gave them more bang for their buck and/or (2) someone they knew and trusted recommended YFU. 95% of the fees collected by YFU go for direct program costs (airline tickets, support in hosting country, etc.). YFU has been around for almost 60 years and has learned how to make exchanges successful. If you choose another organization, please make sure that it is listed with the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (csiet.org). They routinely audit programs for quality. While it is possible that a good organization is not listed with them, it is less likely and I would advise doing more research on anyone that is not listed with them. YFU does have summer, semester, and year programs to Japan. In a typical year, hundreds of American students go to Japan with YFU. Japan does not require any previous language study, but it certainly does help!! The general process would go something like this (assuming you use YFU - other programs will likely be similar): - Gather information, talk to your parents and other advisers, and make a decision as to which program you would like. Also talk to your school counselor to work out a plan for what you need to do to get school credit. - Apply to the program. This can be done online, by phone, by email, by fax, by 'snail mail', etc, or a combination of these methods. You will need to provide basic information, answer some questions about yourself, provide permission for the program to get transcripts, have a physical (just like you would have for sports), etc. - You can can also apply for scholarships. There are 3 types of application: program (= you're going and aren't applying for a scholarship); scholarship (= you won't be going unless you get a scholarship); or both (= you're going whether or not you get a scholarship and you would like to be considered for a scholarship). - Pay the deposit - this 'holds' your spot in the program and is refundable if you withdraw by a certain date. - Participate in an in-person interview with a program volunteer/staff member. This isn't an inquisition - the program just needs to figure out what kind of host family is best for you and determine if you'd make a good exchange student. (Believe it or not, there have been parents who pushed a student into going on exchange when the student really didn't want to go -- the interview helps 'weed out' those kind of situations.) - Pay for the program. I've put a link to a booklet of ideas that others have used in the past. - As soon as you find out who your host family is, correspond with them (mail, email, Skype, whatever you both have) once in a while. This isn't officially a requirement; it's just something that I (as a host mom) think is a very good idea. - Go on exchange; work hard; study lots; make friends from all other; and learn more about yourself and others than you ever thought was possible. - Come home and share your experience. I hope this helps. Good luck to you no matter what you choose!
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