Peoples' views on Japan/ a good place to visit as an exchange student?

[sprogjcrisis]

I'm thinking of becoming and exchange student in Japan when I turn sixteen. I would like peoples' views on Japan and anyone who goes to school there or has been an exchange student there. I'm seriously interested in it-and any ideas for programs and stuff and what schools are like there I would seriously like to hear about peoples' views on this. Do you think it's a good idea?

[Deekle]

Unless you know the language, I wouldn't go. It'd be pretty hard to get around without even knowing the basics.

[sprogjcrisis]

I am learning...have been for a little while they say you need at least one year's experience with the language so that's why I thought I'd go when I am 16

[Deekle]

Well if you can understand commands, questions and other grammar sequences then you should be fine. Are you planning to do it through a program or your school if it has one.

[sprogjcrisis]

a program. Ha! There is no chance of my school ever getting one.

[chrisd69]

personally i wouldn't say no, even just to visit its worth the trip. and they do have people there who will can help if you ask. but for the student exchange.. definately do it

[BohrGnosis]

Your better off in the kansai region (osaka, kobe, kyoto) because the people there are a bit more upfront and accepting. Tokyo (and kanto region) is more reserved and likely to "turn a bling eye" although that is pretty consiostant with japanese culture. Also, learn your pronounciation correctly. if you say it like it is written in english or "romanji" as it is called in jappas then no one will understand you.
eg: my name is = watshi no namae wa "nani nani" desu.
pronounced wah-tah-sshi noh nah-mah-eh wah "blah blah" des.
youll also need to learn "japlish" eg: "next" = ne-ku-su-to
but dont worry too much, most signs have romanji written on them and there is a strong english speaking network.

be warned, some jappas hate foreigners. they wont do anything generally but you may get the occasional cold shoulder. I had a friend accidentally walk in on an anti-foreigner ralley not knowing what it was, cheered along. but nothing happened to her they just ignored her. but stay safe.

google "gaijin house" and you will find a bunch of guest houses, kinda like dorms, that cater to foreigners. they will also have info on work etc.

if you get into a programme they it will probable be what they call "home stay" which means you will stay with a family for 2 weeks to a month. they will pick you up for the airport, feed you and stuff while they help you to set yourself up. but if your 16 then student exchange is probably better for you.

[sym26]

Yes if you know how to speak Japanese... as stated on the posts above... Im planning to do that aswell... Im going to further my studies on Japanese and it would be great coz I have an aunt living there >.<

[sprogjcrisis]

Lucky, I only know one person who is half japanese-and he can't speak it...pity but I'm doing quite good at it except for a few mistakes in sentences and such-I can sometimes forget that the sentence sructure is different in Japanese to Latin languages

[BohrGnosis]

I dont think it is extremely important to have a large vocabulary in japanese to live in jappas. All the jappas i knew was what i had learned from my girlfriend of 2 years and she was more interesten in learning english than teaching me jappas. i knew all the bad words (chichi, opai, chikubi, manko, chinko, ketsu, ketsu no ana,) and how to make vulgar sentences (chichi dase = get your tits out) which really wasnt very useful. what was useful was my phrase book. i learned important sentences like "which platform does the "nani nani" train leave from."

1 month i travelled alone with very limited jappas language abilities. the only problem i had was loud speaker announcements eg: stand behind the yelloow line because the bullet train is coming and its not gonna slow down. you cant hear it because its faster than the speed of sound. if you stand too close you might get sucked off (the platform. lol)" i understood something about "yellow" and "bullet train" and suddenly KABOOM train in face trying to eat me and my giant backpack. then the train was gone, vanished like it was never there. YOU MUST GO TO JAPAN!

repeat: learn pronounciation, anime helps. and learn japlish, (cannot string constanents together unless it is "n". the jappas alphabet goes "ka, ki, ku, ke, ko - sa, shi, su, se, so, - ta, chi, tsu, te, to" etc.

A link to a japanese alphabet table, what a good idea!