AFS Intercultural Programs offers three types of study abroad programs in Japan: a summer program, a semester program and a full-year program. In the four-week summer homestay language study program participants live with a homestay family and study the Japanese language intensively (80 hours per week) as well as participating in activities organized by the language school and AFS. In the semester and full-year programs participants attend a Japanese high school, take classes, and live with a homestay family. Most schools adopt a trimester system (April to July, September to December, January to March), but some adopt a semester system (April to September, October to March). Students receive an orientation in Japanese culture and life upon arrival and then start their more challenging courses. At the end of the school day, all students take part in souji, the cleaning of the school, and there are also opportunities to become involved with school clubs and extracurricular activities including baseball, soccer, judo, kendo, swimming, volleyball, rugby, calligraphy, science, and more.

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Andeo-International Summerstays is a non-profit organization specializing in summer homestay and study programs for high school students since 1981. A two- to three-week homestay in Japan can be scheduled between July 12 and August 25. Cost: $1300 (airfare not included). Applicants should have 2 years of Japanese language study.

Six-week summer homestays or an academic-year programs are available. There is no language requirement, and students participate in intensive Japanese language program upon arrival in Japan. Tutoring services are also available in Japan.

Academic-year, semester and summer programs are available. In order to be eligible for the academic year and semester programs, students must have studied the Japanese language for at least 6 months. The summer program has no language requirements. All participants live with a homestay family. For information about AYUSA programs in Japan, see the links at http://www.ayusa.org/study_abroad/places.html

Participants spend a semester or academic year living with a host family, attending a local high school, and experiencing day-to-day life in Japan. Must have studied the Japanese language for two years to be eligible to apply. Opportunities for short-term (one to four weeks) independent homestays are available as well. For information on Independent Homestays see http://www.cci-exchange.com/homestay.htm For information on High School Abroad Programs see http://www.cci-exchange.com/hsabroad.htm

The International Credit Abroad Programs of Concordia Language Villages offers a four-week study abroad program in Japanese. Participants who successfully complete the program requirements are eligible for one year of high school language instruction credit. The Japanese Credit Abroad program provides an opportunity to study the language, culture and society of Japan while traveling to Kyoto, Fukuoka, Beppu, Hiroshima, and Tokyo. Students tour and travel with the group, spend 2 weeks of intensive language study, and enjoy a weeklong home stay with a host family while attending a local Japanese high school with the host sibling. Applicants must be 15 to 18 years old and demonstrate language proficiency comparable to two years of high school study in Japanese. Eligible applicants must have completed their freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year of high school, but not yet have entered any college or university as a fully enrolled freshman. Travel, lodging, food, all admission fees, and all in-country travel costs are included in the program cost. There is a staff-to-student ratio of 1-to-6. Concordia Language Villages is a program of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Concordia Language Villages annually serves over 11,500 young people aged 7-18 and 500 adults from all 50 of the United States, and 40 other countries. Language-centered, cultural immersion instruction is offered in 15 languages.

This four-week summer program focuses on language and culture. Participants spend a few days exploring Tokyo, followed by three weeks living with a host family and studying the Japanese language and culture. No previous language skills required. Information on Japan programs can be found at http://www.usexperiment.org/countries/japan.html

Foreign Language Study Abroad Service (FLSAS) arranges language intensive programs in Japan for students of all ages, including high school students. Periods of study range from weeks to as long as the student wishes. Transferable credit is arranged. For details see http://www.flsas.com.

NP:J is a three-phase program built around a summer study trip to Japan. In the preparation phase, students work with their teacher to investigate one of several Japanese cultural themes, using custom-designed curriculum materials. During the two-week guided study tour, students have opportunities for home stays, school visits, and customized "study days," The third phase, after students return home, again features curriculum units to help students understand and and reflect on their experiences. Teachers who recruit five or more students for the program participate at no cost. The program cost per student is $2,950. Some financial aid is available.

NorthWest Student Exchange offers a variety of international exchange opportunities for both international and American youth: academic-year, reciprocal, semester, and summer programs. Students live with host families and attend high school, while receiving supervision from local NWSE representatives. They also participate in community or NWSE-sponsored cultural and social events. NWSE provides student and host family orientations, and coordinates medical and accident insurance, travel, and visas for all exchange participants. NWSE is a nonprofit organization which has full listing with CSIET and is designated by the US Department of State.

Osaka Girls' Senior High School, a private high school in Osaka, Japan, is taking applications from international students. Girls live in the Kyoto/Osaka area and can also explore other Kansai cities. Terms are for a semester, a year or for 'gap year'-- a pre-college enrichment program. Before arrival, school staff design a program tailored to each student's needs. Teacher mentors, students, and host families immerse girls in Japanese culture. Along with intensive study of Japanese, students take courses that can help jump-start international careers. Cultural and sports clubs in anime, computer graphics, music and drama, Japanese flower arrangement, Japanese archery (Kyudo), and others are offered. A volunteer component in Kansai and nearby Asian countries provides an opportunity to contribute to people who can't always speak for themselves.

Rotary International sends high school students on summer and short-term programs, and offers scholarships through its local, regional, and state clubs. See the web site for more information.

Year-long, semester and summer programs to Japan are available. All programs include homestays. The year-long and semester programs place participants in Japanese schools, but the summer program has optional language classes. For links to information specific to programs in Japan http://www.twoworldsunited.com/hs/default.html

YFU USA offers year, semester, and summer programs. Students live with volunteer host families. Academic year, semester, and some summer program students attend Japanese high schools. Most summer program experiences are focused on cultural exchange. Previous Japanese language study is not required with the exception of some scholarship programs. Full and partial scholarships are available for year and summer programs. Information on Japan programs can be found at http://www.yfu-usa.org/countries/3_asia/japan/japan.htm