I just want to ask anybody else who's done a foreign exchange program what it's like though. How do they pick your "parents" that you'll live with, does it severly affect you and your high school credits, would you do it if you were about to become a junior in HS next year?

I really want to do this, because I need a change in my life right now, I'm so bored of doing the same thing everday and all that. I'd love to learn the Japanese language, I started to teach myself it over last summer; and their culture. Japan just seems like a cool country and from what I've seen, they're pretty advanced in technology (which I really like, I love technology/electronics and video games). I don't know, but Japan definately seems like a place I'd like to visit.

My mom supports me on this idea, I never really talked to my dad about it. I don't think he'd really support it, he really makes sure I do well in school. I don't think he'd want me to "mess up" my last years of HS.
Last summer I got up to memorizing the hiragana alphabet and basic greetings and vocab. I stopped when school started though...

My fears in doing this would be getting some extremely strict parents that don't have anything to do around their home. Other than that, it'd seem like a cool experience.

hello, I'm not sure I'm the most reliable person to ask...but I just had a visit with my guidance counselor about all this this morning. I've hosted a F.E.S (foreign exchange student) before and she absolutely loved it, however, she is very fluent in english and french so it was quite easy. But for us, who only know very basic japanese, would be a lot more stressed and confused in the hustle and bustle of japan. For most japan programs, you can choose where you'd like to stay (rural, city, little islands, etc) but i dont think you can choose the family. The family will most likely have to be english speaking, some what wealthy, and so on. Through rotary, you actually live with three different families. Speaking of the high school credits, it actually doesn't severly affect it. All the classes u take overseas will only be "electives" so I dont think ud get any history, english credits (although they take englishit isnt a literature based class) unfortunatley ( but dont take my word on that one please) Before or after ur trip, u can take high school credit courses usually in community/ independent study/ things (ask ur counselor) at my school we have running start

when i go to japan, I will need to re- do english 11, world history, etc. In Japan-land, u mite get language, science, math, gym credits, etc.
I am so looking forward to it (for all of the reasons ur stating) but my best friend absolutely hates the idea of me going to a country where id be stared at (white girl...), loose money (super spendy there), and be confused out of my mind.

If ur dad doesn't support you in it, but makes sure you do well in school? tell him that this is SUCH SUCH SUCH an educational experience! it can actually help you get into colleges, and plus all the classes in japan are pass-fail, and its super easy to pass (only like 20% compared to like our 50 %=F)...despite there super super hard sciences and maths.
Im sure u can graduate on time too! and just becuase u have to stay an extra year to finish courses doesn't mean u messed up, it just simply means you pursued an incredible chance to learn about a culture completely new to you and you discover yourself.

yep, well thats all i can think of, sry if it doesn't help, good luck