High School in Japan (Ages 16-18)

A high school program in Japan is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore a fascinating culture that is very different from your own. While studying in Japan, you will be exposed to the unique artistic and cultural traditions that the country is famous for, such as the tea ceremony and Kabuki theater. Best of all, you will live the life of a Japanese teen as you attend school with your peers and live as a member of a Japanese family.

Please note: The 2010 High School in Japan program has reached full capacity and is now closed. We are currently accepting applications for programs beginning in Spring 2011.

School
Exchange students will be enrolled in a public or private school in Japan. School is of primary importance for Japanese people beginning with the first class the student enters. The high school they access will then determine the university they will be able to get into, and by extension the social position they will be able to acquire. Usually Japanese students have to take exams in order to enter a high school, so it is very competitive. The most common types of public senior high schools are regular or academic (futsu) high schools and vocational high schools, such as commercial (shogyo) and industrial (kogyo) high schools.

Locations
Exchange students are placed in safe communities all around Japan, though they are rarely placed in major cities such Tokyo. It is important to be flexible about which town you’re placed in since we are unable to take your location preferences into account. Our priority is to identify a host family and community that is the best match for you.

Accommodations and Meals
Students accepted to Greenheart Travel's High School Abroad Program in Japan have profound opportunities for cultural immersion by living with a well-screened host family while attending a local Japanese high school. For decades, the cross-cultural homestay has been considered the best educational vehicle for the development of real international understanding.

Each volunteer host family agrees to provide their international "son or daughter" with meals and his or her own bed. Just as in the U.S., every family is different. You may share a room with a host sibling or have your own room. You may have younger, older or no host siblings. Gender roles in Japanese families are still relatively traditional; the father is the breadwinner and head of the household, while the mother stays home and takes care of the children. Economic pressures are beginning to change this however, and today many women work outside the home. Divorce and single parenthood rates are still fairly low, however.

Your host family will expect you to help with household responsibilities, and family members may be more traditional in what they think are appropriate gender roles. As you can see, host families represent all walks of life. Host families do not want or expect a "boarder," but rather a new friend and family member.

Extracurricular Activities
Japanese high schools offer a lot of different extra-curricular activities. These activities are organized in clubs called “Bukatsu” sponsored by a teacher but the students themselves actually decide the daily activities. In most schools, clubs can be divided into two types: sports clubs (often including baseball, soccer, judo, kendo, track, tennis, swimming, softball, volleyball and rugby) and culture club (such as English, broadcasting, calligraphy, science, mathematics and yearbook).

Independent Travel and Visits from Family
There are very specific rules regarding travel before and after the program in Japan. Please consult Greenheart Travel before making any travel plans.

Visiting home or receiving visits from home during the course of a program like this is extremely disruptive to the program of the student. Such visits very often cause the student to feel homesickness afterward, which means going through the challenging adjustment period experienced at the beginning of the program again after the visit. These reactions to visits are hard on both exchange students and host families. Because we truly wish for all of our students and host families to have positive experiences, we seek to minimize activities that threaten to detract from the positive experience meant to take place between the student and host family such as visits to or from home.

Traveling independently outside the host community is not allowed unless it is with an adult chaperone and is approved by the host family, natural parents of the student, partner organization and Greenheart Travel. Exploring your local host community after class or on the weekends with friends or your host family is encouraged, as it is a great way to soak in the local culture or practice new language skills. Your host family will be a great resource to find out about exciting events going on in the town. We only ask that students find a balance between spending time with new friends and hanging out with their host family.

Academic Credit Transfer
Greenheart Travel will enroll you in a public high school in Japan, and documentation of school work done overseas will be provided. You are responsible for coordinating any transfer of credits from your high school abroad to your high school in the U.S. If you have questions or difficulties, Greenheart Travel’s staff may be able to assist you in this process. Please note that we can not guarantee that your American school will accept your studies abroad as credit. You should see your guidance counselor to determine what credits you might need to take outside of your studies abroad to ensure that you graduate high school on time.

Local Support
Your host family will be a wonderful source of support and advice during your time abroad. Additionally, you will have what is sometimes called a local representative or a counselor. This person will be an adult outside of your host family who will support you throughout your program. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your local representative. He or she is there for you!

Orientation
Before you depart the U.S., you will need to learn as much as possible about the customs and culture of the country where you will be living. This will enable you to settle in more easily within your host family and community. Upon acceptance to the program, Greenheart Travel will send you orientation, culture shock, and host country information, so that you can familiarize yourself with Japan. Greenheart Travel’s National Office or local staff will also provide you with a thorough orientation before your departure. You will also have an orientation upon arrival to Japan. You should also read as much as possible about Japan and practice your Japanese language skills as much as you can!

Transportation
Along with your host family information, Greenheart Travel will notify you of your arrival city, travel dates, and any travel arrangements that need to be made. Airfare to Japan is your responsibility, and you will need to send Greenheart Travel a copy of your itinerary to arrange your arrival transfer.

Depending upon the location of your host community, a representative or your host family may be able to meet you at the airport and take you directly to your new home. In other cases, you may be met at the airport and taken to the nearest train or bus station in order to arrive to your host community, where you will be picked up by your family.

Visas
A student visa is required for exchange students going to Japan. Students should be prepared to go to the embassy or consulate in person in order to apply for a student visa. Up-to-date information can be found at www.travel.state.gov. Upon acceptance to the program, Greenheart Travel will inform you of the general requirements and instructions in order to get a passport and visa. However, all passport and visa arrangements are the responsibility of the participant and need to be made according to the Embassy’s instructions, as they are the final authority on all visa matters.

Semester Program Options:
Fall Semester: August to January
Spring Semester: March to August

Academic Year:
Fall Start: August to June
Spring Start: March to January

Application Deadlines
Fall Semester or Academic Year: April 1
Early Bird Discount - $300: January 2

Spring Semester: September 1
Early Bird Discount - $300: June 1

Requirements
Applicants must have an interest in other cultures and be willing to participate as fully as possible in the host country's culture and language, in school, and in host family activities. Other desirable characteristics include: flexibility, curiosity, motivation, and a good sense of humor. When applying for Greenheart Travel’s High School Abroad Program, you should be in good academic standing and be in good mental and physical health. In addition:

• Applicants must have completed a minimum of two years of Japanese study before the program starts. They must also be able to write Hiragana and Katakana.
• Applicants for the Spring 2011 and Fall 2011 must have birthdates in this range: January 1, 1993 – March 31, 1996
• Applicants should possess a high school cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 / 4.0
• Recommendations will also assist in determining acceptance

Program Costs 

 

Included	Not Included
Lodging	Airfare/Visa fees
Full Board (3 meals/day)	Transportation to/from school
Medical/Accident Insurance	Phone cards/cell phone
Local Coordinator	Uniforms, books, materials
24 Emergency Staff	Souvenirs
Pre-departure and arrival Orientation	Incidentals

Fees may be paid by personal check, money order or credit card.