Foreign Exchange Student Questions

[Myuka]

I may(If I get accepted) be going to Japan this March for 10 months as an exchange student. Are there any Japanese school items I should make sure I buy before I go? Also are there any books anyone knows about that teaches some of the gestures(like when you hand someone your meeshi) and customs. If anyone also has any tips that would be helpful, stories about their own trips, or any information that would be beneficial please let me know now. Thank-you very much for your time.

By the way, I do not yet speak fluent japanese(which is one reason why I want to go, to get better), but it's not required for the program I am using.

[Ren]

I am also on the road to a foreign exchange student program. I think that all you really need to worry about before you get there is the school uniform. You have to send them your sizes, I think. But with the gestures and such, I'm sure you could find some on websites like this.

[Mukade]

I read the book "Culture Shock!: Japan" before going. It had some good tips about interpersonal relationships and body language, but it was geared a little more towards people looking to go and live there on their own, working a job as they are there.

A quick search for "Japan" and "Customs" on Amazon.com nets several interesting results.

Are you going as a university or high school student?

[Myuka]

Thanks a lot Mukade and Ren! ^_^ your boosting my confidence. Um, I'm going as a high school student. I'm a sophmore right now but I'll be back for the second semester of my junior year.

If anyone else has some input feel free to post it ^_^

[Christian_]

Sophmore, hmm 10th right (I hate those grade title things)? Going to Japan, thats pretty crazy, if I can speak at least level 3 JLPT by next year, then I want to go! Are you excited/worried? Post while you're there(well March 10 is far away). Can anyone who can get the funds (I live with my middle class mom, my dad is really rich though, I doubt he'd do something like go to Japan for me though), has A's and B's and is learning/intrested in Japan have a good chance of being accepted? I'll have to go read up.

[Niii-kun]

first of all the bath tubs are small, you bow to show gratitude you address them correctly (san,kun,chan) watch out for some words that sound the same but have different meanings some you need to say lower than the other for example ame in a low voice is rain and ame in a high voice is candy/lolly good luck and have fun

[Sumi]

I wanted to do the Foreign Exchange Student thing, but I don't have enough money.

[Niii-kun]

isnt the exchange student program avaiable in university instead of high school

[Mike Cash]

Niii-kun wrote:
isnt the exchange student program avaiable in university instead of high school

Depends on the university.

Do it right, and you can have your airfare paid and receive a monthly stipend to help with living expenses as well.

[Mike Cash]

How did you master 110 hiragana? That's a pretty neat trick.