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Japan Student Exchanges Anonymous
Before you write this off as a weeaboo thread, I was wondering how many of you have gone on student exchanges to Japan? I was just in Osaka for 2 weeks on a high school exchange and I've realized that is probably the best way to see japan, especially if you do a home stay. Things like the JET program may be a good experience but there seems to be a lot of annoyances and doesn't lead much of anywhere.

For those you who have the opportunity, take it.
Where have the rest of you been in Japan?
>> Anonymous
no, the best way to see japan is by car.

also lonely planet fails and that map is shit. seriously, matsue? SEAGAIA? What?!
>> Anonymous
I've always wanted to go on a Student Exchange Trip to Japan, but I'm outside of high school now, getting ready to go into college. Is there any way I can still do this, or did my window of opportunity just close up?
>> Anonymous
>>48080

You can study abroad and do a homestay with that.
>> Anonymous
I went to college in Japan.

The country is shit. High gas prices, crowded, absolutely no nightlife in any cities outside of Tokyo, and the food is disgusting.
>> Anonymous
I went as an exchange student in high school for 10 months. Doing a home stay, you see a part of Japanese society that you wouldn't really see otherwise. I mean, you get to know your immediate host family, which is good in itself, and by participating with them in other things you do things you probably never would have if you were on your own.

That said, if I go to Japan as a JET, I won't really mind not doing the homestay thing. I think the key to getting to know (Japanese) people if you're in that sort of role is to just participate in everything you can.
>> Anonymous
i ran into college kids on exchange programs while I was there. it depends on whether your college has the program. maybe there are 3rd party programs that set you up for a semester exchange?
>> Anonymous
>>48125

OP here, even though my 2 weeks were incredible, i can't image going to school there for long duration. shit's intense culture shock
>> Anonymous
>>48118
Homestay in college sucks. Normally you get put with a family, who may be nice, but will most likely not have people in the household in your age range. Most of the time the school also enforces a curfew on you, so you don't impose on your host family. While a curfew in high school years doesn't matter much, shit fucking sucks when you're an adult.
>> Anonymous
So you would recommend doing a high school exchange to Japan for a year, /trv/ ?
>> Anonymous
My friend did one and then tried to live there for a year (fucking weeaboo) and to sum it up Japan is a rewarding holiday or short exchange (eg 3-6 months) but a major headache if you intend to live there.
>> Anonymous
I did a 4 month university exchange near Osaka. Dorm, but I spent as little time in there as possible. Had a "homestay" family that I met every now and then, but didn't actually have to live with -- which worked out pretty nicely for me. After years of living as an independent adult, the idea of living under somebody else's rules again didn't appeal to me all that much.

I found the academic standards at my host uni quite lax, so there was plenty of time to go sightseeing in Kyoto, Nara, etc. and shopping in Osaka and Kobe. ymmv

There are programs, such as ISEP, that you can take even if your college doesn't have its own direct exchange program. Assuming your college lets you go on exchange at all, that is.
>> Anonymous
Different question.

If I want to have student discounts but don't have an international student card (only my University of Munich student card), do the clerks bitch around?
>> Anonymous
>>48523
I went to a bowling place in Osaka and they accepted my crappy high school ID for the discount... then again I was with some Japanese kids who could help explain things.
>> Anonymous
>>48417
get on that high school exchange asap. even if its not for a year it will probably be better then any other touristy-fun trips you could plan.
remember, japanese high school kids love foreigners and are outgoing enough that you'll get all the attention you'll ever need (schoolgirl wat?).
>> Anonymous
>Before you write this off as a weeaboo thread, I was wondering how many of you have gone on a weeaboo weaboo weaboo?
fix'd