The story so far...

One of the main stories of this blog is to write about the time I spend in Japan. That however, is a long time away, but there is plenty to say about the preparation process. So, the story so far.

Since I started my Japanese lessons a bit under a year ago, I fantasized about a year as an exchange student in Japan. The more I thought about it, the more interested I became, and the better an idea it felt like. I think I mentioned the idea during one of our lessons. A fellow student there was a member of Youth For Understanding, a respectable, non-profit exhange organisation. I checked out the website and ordered an info packet. I read the info packet and dismissed the application forms as it was too early to apply for this year.

Time passed and I suddenly found myself in a big hurry. I had forgotten to send the application forms as soon the application became open, so for several days I worked hard to fill in the lenghty forms, and write an essay on why I should be accepted. When everything was ready I sent the forms. Several days later I was invited to an interview at the YFU headquarters in Helsinki. I was quite nervous as I had heard from many that applying to Japan is difficult, and that there are very few spaces. The interview went very well, and I left happily due to the hints from the staff there that I had a good chance to get through. Looking back on it I think the deciding factors were the fact that I had plenty previous travel experience, and that in the interview I had said that in the host country one must be adaptabile and one can't be picky, and once you're there you play by their rules, that as long as I get there I am happy.

Nevertheless, I was hardly confident as I waited for the letter from YFU. One day at school my dad texted me: "Letter from YFU, shall I open it?" I answer "No", he replies "Are you sure you don't want me to open it?" "Yes." I returned home and nervously approached the letter on the table. As I drew the envelope near I suddenly punced at it and opened it! There was a letter, I had been accepted! I danced and jumped around in joy and celebrated my success!

To my dismay only further beurocracy awaited me. The wad of paper beneath the initial letter was so thick and daunting I merely brushed it aside. Ah, the deadline isn't far. Several weeks later the initial joy was wearing off, and I began working on the forms. The deadline for the forms was the 25th, that very day! I panicked and skimmed through the various papers; transcript of grades, placement information, health certificate, dentist's signiature; there was no way I could get that all in time! I remembered I had a dentist's appointment on the 14th of the next month, a perfect excuse. I then called YFU and politely explained that I could not get the papers in time due to having to wait for the dentist's appointment. I was told it was OK, and that the papers won't be sent to the host country in a long time anyway, but I should do them as soon as possible. However, even that proved a challange as it was somehow incredibly difficult to find three measly pictures of me and my life to send. I was not very happy with the pictures I chose, and it worries me that I was not as representable as possible.

Now, with that wad of papers sen't I wait anxiously for more beurocracy, probably something to do with visas, generic travelling stuff. But, I wait enthusiastically to see who my host family will be, and I can't wait to get in touch with them via email. I also hear there will be a "preparation camp" before the trip. Usually I'm not into that kind of stuff, but I think it will be great to get to know likeminded people.

If there is anything I have learned it's that: 1. Apply early! 2. Do the dam paperwork already you lazy slouch! If you follow these guidelines, problems are minimized.