File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Before I start this thread, I would like to throw in the fact that I am not a weeaboo. I do not read manga. I do not watch anime. Nor do I like it. Aside from two series that were recommended to me.(Paranoia Agent and Samurai Champloo)

That being said though. I am really interested in the culture of Japan. I want to travel there there and see what they're all about. It seems like a pretty sweet place.
So I just did some searching around the web and figured out that In my senior year of high school (junior atm), I could partake in a foreign exchange program and finally go there myself and see what it's all about. (Not anime and manga...)
So I would like you to recommend places that would be nice for me to stay for a year (or a summer) and hang out, have shit to do, etc. and/or any other piece of advice you would like to add in. (And you could recommend exchange programs that would get me from Georgia (in the u.s.) to Japan.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
quick google turned up: http://www.studyabroad.com/programs/high_school/japan

I was in the same situation as you, although my school actually took a group of us to our sister school in Osaka. Never was interested in anime but went because all of my friends were and I've taken Japanese for 3 years at school. Best experience of my life (much thanks to my host student and her family).
>> Anonymous
>>51156
gah, should have resized my pic before uploading, sorry.
>> Anonymous
Sweet. Any more personal experiences to be shared? (from anyone)

I would like to know more.
>> Anonymous
...Russians?
>> Anonymous
>>51220


What about 'em?
>> Anonymous
>>51224---> >51142

RUSSIANS!!
>> Anonymous
Culture of japan, thats like saying youre going to only visit to experience the culture of america and nothing else. Admit it dont lie we all know why you want to. You got the sushi fever.
>> Anonymous
TOKYO= GAY
OSAKA= GOOD
>> Anonymous
>>51214
Specifically what?
>> Anonymous
In b4 the obvious JET programme.
>> Anonymous
>>51252
I would like to know what it is like there. About the schools. The things you can do. Maybe where to meet people. Places to shop.

Oh, and I would also know what it is like to live with a host.
>> Anonymous
You're being invaded by the Russians! Why on earth would you want to go on a TRIP? Stay home and care for your family!

That being said I want to go basically for Shibuya's streetwear shops. DAT 'PREEEEEME. Also W-Base.
>> Anonymous
>>51302
right, so I spent 10 days with a student and her family and went to high school with her. This was a part of an exchange program my school has with its Osakan counterpart (we go every other year, they come to the USA in the gap). This was great because the teachers -- both American and Japanese -- had everything planned for us and the Japanese school planned a lot of activities for us instead of just going to class everyday (tea ceremony, cooking class, chorus class w/jpn students, etc.). I don't think you'll get this kind of special treatment if you go solo, but it should be fun at school anyways.
Many think that japanese students are really studious and bust their asses for exam etc. This is a blatant stereotype. When I went to actual classes, the front half was paying attention and the back half was busy texting, talking, or sleeping and the teacher didn't seem to care. It was great fun for me tho since I sat in the back with my host student and her friends =P.

The homestay experience. Try to get a host student of the opposite sex (gonna assume you're male for now). Seriously. Hanging out with guys all the time wouldnt necessarily be a bad thing and you'll still probably get attention from the girls. However, I got extremely lucky in that my host student had numerous cute friends who seemed to like my company and were social enough that I still hung out with plenty of guys so I wasn't drowned by Japanese girly behavior. Jeez, long post there. tl;dr homestay is good because you're with a native speaking, female of your age guide 24/7.