Put yourself in the picture!
 |
 |
 |
Three Month Exchanges
We have recently initiated a three month exchange starting in January. This is handy because it doesn’t take a big bite out of your NZ schooling and because you have some time out of school in Japan due their holidays. It’s possible that you’ll enjoy it so much that you’ll wish you had asked for a longer stay. Unfortunately, extensions are not possible.
Longer Exchanges
These require a high degree of commitment to learning Japanese language and an enthusiasm for Japanese culture.
Orientation
We give all students an orientation before they leave and in Japan there is a three day orientation held for exchange students from many countries. It is usually held near Narita Airport and you will spend two nights there before being transferred to your host family.
Placements
If you have applied at the correct time, you should be in contact with your host family for at least a week before you leave. Most students are in contact for a month or more.
Host families have to go through an interview and vetting process and have the same motivations for hosting as families in other countries. Placements can be anywhere in Japan but most are in the region between Tokyo and Kobe.
Unlike other countries, hosting in Japan is usually only for two months at a time. This means that you have to be prepared to change host families every two months while staying at the same school. This sounds a bit difficult but returning students invariably say that it has huge benefits as well as challenges. After ten months in Japan at one school, you could have had five completely different views of Japanese culture and Japanese family life. This requires understanding and a positive frame of mind.
We give all students an orientation before they leave and in Japan there is a three day orientation held for exchange students from many countries. It is usually held near Narita Airport and you will spend two nights there before being transferred to your host family.
Language Requirements
You need at least two years of Japanese language study before you qualify. Anything less than this puts you in front of a learning curve that is unreasonably steep for most people and restricts the value of your exchange.
Click on the Notes for Students to get comprehensive information about our exchanges to Japan, including information on the placements and the applications procedures. Like to know more about our Student Exchange programme? Click on the ‘Enquiries’ link or email ian@nziiu.co.nz
Click on the following links to find out more about Japan.
