What should I know to be about being an exchange student in Japan? -

I am going to be a high school exchange student going to Japan in several months. Any suggestions on how to prepare, best ways to learn the language(any book suggestions), specific things that would be beneficial to bring and not to bring, etc.? Also any info on what to expect at school. Thanks!!

I ve never been to Japan so I can t tell you many specifics, but I m doing an exchange this year as well (for 10 months) in Belgium. I use this website - www.cultures-shocked.org - all the time and it s really great. It s a forum for anyone going on or interested in youth exchange and it s super helpful. There s tons of people on there who ve been on exchange, are on exchange now, and are going on exchange soon. There is threads for each country and there s a really good one for Japan, so I hope that helps. ^_^ Have fun on exchange! Just out of curiosity, what program are you going with? I m with AFS. I m leaving in a month! It s so exciting!