Kristina Brockwell: I suggest studying Abroad during the summer time! So it wont conflict with your schooling! Also learn some of the basics of what ever language you wish to learn! Some Programs I suggest Is Semester At Sea (ussually for undergrads)! I actually went to a boarding school out of the States! Also scholarships are also available
Wally Gower: It depends on whether you want to go in high school or college.I highly recommend it in HS because it will be easier for you to learn a language -- the younger the better! An exchange year will immerse you in both culture and language. As to whether you must know the language first or not depends upon the country and the program you choose.A program will run anywhere from $6,000 - $8,000 plus about $200 monthly expenses. For that you get travel, insurance, placement in a host family and school, plus support for you and your family while you are overseas. However, there are scholarship opportunities available, espec! ially for Japan.You can find a list of organizations that are certified to operate in the US at www.csiet.org You should also check with your high school guidance counselor for the organizations that work in your area.Although semester programs are available, I would not consider less than a year. I've hosted 11 students now and know that it takes that first semester just to get grounded and a grasp of the language -- that would be much harder with an Asian language!Most students go in their junior or senior year, I recommend junior then you can return and share your experiences, you have more flexibility in your American requirements AND you get the fun of your senior year.If you are very serious about doing this, find an exchange organization soon. You should apply as soon as you can, because if you don't get a scholarship the first time (your junior year), you are a very high priority if you apply a second time. In addition, if you have already begun some sort of languag! e training, it will help for scholarships as well.GOOD LUCK!..! .Show more
Frank Crummell: Well, the first thing you should consider is how you plan on fitting in study abroad with school work. Do you wanna study for a couple weeks, a summer, a semester, or a full year? Deciding how much you want to do is the first step, because you will have to inform your guidance counselor so he/she can organize your schedule accordingly. If you gof or a year, you may have to double-up on classes, take some at communtiy college, or delay graduation by a year. If you go abroad for a year, a fifth year is usuall the norm.Second is where you want to go. EF is an organization that sends people abroad to the "usuals" - France, Spain, Germany, etc. AFS (the organization I went with) has programs all over, including programs in Asia (I went to Japan). For the "unusuals", you need not know any of the language, but for Japan you must have at least 1 year. It depends on the country program requirements. Another good organization is Youth for Understandin! g, but I don't know much about them. Usually, prior language experience is not necessary. However, you must be mindful of the time and cost. Using the AFS Japan program, it starts in March because that's when school starts there. It is also almost $6000. The program to Australia starts in the fall and is a little cheaper. It all depends on where you wanna go.Talk with your guidance counselor. At the very least he/she will have flyers which will spark your interest in a program. Studying abroad is one of the best things you can you for your future. Go for it!...Show more
Will Camus: Studying abroad is very good because if you got to a good college they will teach you a ton. However, Asian schools will have high standards, much higher than the US. It will be tough, but it will be worth it. You'll have to work harder than ever to survive in an Asian college.
Nona Lentini: It is a good idea if it doesn't conflict with any of your requirements for college. Since you'! re still in highschool, maybe you can learn the language before you stu! dy abroad in college. And if you're going to a place, you want to know how to get around, so about 4 years would be best to know about the culture and speaking in general. So NOW you wanna learn about your culture, huhh? well, everything takes time -- you don't have to go all the way to Vietnam just to learn vietnamese.. there's some institutions that offer it in the states too, so the cost would be less. Anyways, good luck in learning vietnamese!...Show more
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