JAPAN
YFU Japan website

East and West. Tradition and innovation. Industry and family. Shinkansen (bullet train) and tatami (straw mats). Hospitality and privacy. As a YFU student in Japan, you’ll discover a land of contrasts.

Japanese culture meshes Japan’s history with its present-day influences: one night, you and your friends may enjoy singing karaoke; another evening, you may attend a performance of traditional theater like noh or kabuki. You might read haiku one day and a novel by Yukio Mishima the next. The Japanese enjoy newer sports like snowboarding and baseball, as well as traditional sports like sumo wrestling and kendo (fencing).

If your interests are culture, international business, and the world, understanding the Japanese people is a definite plus. Japan is a major economic world power; the need for individuals who understand Japanese culture opens up endless opportunities for Americans who have actually lived there.
Academic Program

When you go to school, you’ll find yourself in one of the senior high schools, and two things may surprise you. One is that most schools are quite large—averaging 1,000 students—and the other is that you will probably have to wear a uniform. School uniforms are not covered by the program tuition. While the curriculum is compulsory, you will probably enjoy learning new things in subjects like Japanese classics or contemporary Japanese language. You can also attend elective classes that include subjects such as art and calligraphy. With your host siblings or new friends, you might go to club activities after school, such as karate.

Semester students have the opportunity to engage themselves in Japanese culture not only through living with a host family but also by participating in occasional special activities arranged by YFU. These special events and day-trips provide students with time to meet other YFU students while learning more about Japanese culture and life.

SOURCE: YFU USA.