|
|
High School Year
Youth
For Understanding International Exchange
High School Year Program Exchange
|
YFU Japan |
|
| |
Industry and family. Hospitality and privacy. Living
in Japan, you will discover a land of contrasts. While
some things will seem startlingly familiar, you will also
be immersed in a culture that grew up in a way totally
different from the West. Your stay in this fabled country
will change you forever.
|
|
Isolated
from the Western world for 240 years beginning in the
17th century, Japan created a unique culture, influenced
by China. But its presence on the world stage has also
brought new influences from Western countries. As a student
living in Japan, you will notice the meshing of Japan's
history with its present-day influences: one night, you
and your friends may enjoy singing at a karaoke bar or
going to the movies; another evening, you may attend a
performance of traditional theatre like noh or kabuki.
The Japanese enjoy newer sports like basketball, skiing,
and baseball as well as traditional sports like sumo wrestling,
kendo (fencing), and karate. Whatever you do in this fascinating
country, you will be learning what it's like to be part
of this unique culture from the inside out.
|
|
The
emphasis in Japanese family life is still on tradition,
whether you live in a city apartment or a house in the
countryside. The Japanese are fabled for their work ethic.
While things are changing, you will still find that your
host father-otosan devotes his time to his company and
work. Though more women are working outside the home,
your host mother-okasan-is likely to devote her time to
her children, their education, household affairs, and
finances. You may notice, first with your host family
and then in other places, that the Japanese place a high
value on etiquette and express affection less with physical
demonstrativeness than with words, bows, and in attitude.
Expression of gratitude is extremely important so you
should remember to say "Arigato" or "Arigato
Gozaimasu!" (thank you) whenever your host family
does something for you.
|
 |
Beginning
at age six, Japanese students must attend school for nine
years, from elementary school through junior high. After
that, 95 percent of the students go on to senior high
schools, where seniors spend much of their time studying
for the tough university entrance exams. Half of the students
pass and go to university. When you go to school or visit
there with one of your host siblings, 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. 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, with activities that range from calligraphy to
karate.
|
|
|
|
