What will I need to know to be a foreign exchange student in Japan?

Question:

I'm 14, about to go into ninth grade, and an American. I want to go to Japan for ninth grade and I'm trying to find programs that aren't to expensive. I also need to know some things like tips and advice. Anything would help :) thanks

Answer:

Along with the first answer you need to really look into this kind of stuff. The rotary exchange program allows you to go do an exchange with another country but you don't get your first choice. How ever it is cheaper by far. If you were wanting to go this up coming school year you are far to late as most would be traveling down there right now. I would apply for the rotary this year and apply for two years so you can have a fighting chance at getting one of your top two. You also need to know enough of the language that they know. As it they would send you to a public school and they usually don't have a english course, unless you get lucky. Most do though. And they can send you anywhere is Japan. So don't set your heart on Tokyo you might get placed in a small village on top of a mountain.
Not to discourage you there are other programs that you can choose that will let you go where ever, but I find that they get more expensive, because they don't do the fund raising.
I don't know much about the more expensive ones so I can't really help you, but by far rotary is better in my opinion because for one there will be other students going with you, and you get to meet the students in the city place you'll be living, because there will be a rotary district. You can also set it up that you go for a summer, a semester or the year. And with this you can get scholarships and it helps you get into college.
I can not stress enough about money and parents. I am going to new Orleans with my school and we need to get parents permission and a written letter by them so that we can go across the border. For 5 days for us it is bordering 2000 so we have to fund raise half the money to go.
Without money your useless in the rotary club, even though you fund raise i think 1000 dollars the extra money you'll need is for your plane ticket you passport a student visa and some extra stuff.
Without parent's permission you can't get on the plane, they need a written letter signed by both parents (if you live with both) saying that yes you can go with the club to Japan.
I may sound mean at parts but I'm going through this right now so that I can hopefully study for a semester in Japan. So it is a long process and oh ya you will need to fill out a form and go through I think it was 2 or 3 interviews to see if your ready. If they seem you might have a mental break down while there they won't send you.
Also last but not least be prepared if you get it to go through culture shock. You're traveling to a place where, only about 5% of the population can speak fluent english, and they are very quiet about if they do. They aren't loud or rude, they don't eat or drink while walking. Most people bike to and from the train then take that to school so be prepared for that. There won't be much english signs so you will have to know how to read and write japanese pretty good. They take pride in their work and dress to impress.
Hope this helps, but it looks like you need to do a bit of studying on everything and look up the rotary club exchange program. It's hard to get in, but by far the least expensive and safest program to go with. Plus they introduce you to many many people from that area.