Considering a foreign exchange program...

[eidolon]

I am considering taking part in a foreign exchange program that would allow me to study in Japan for part of the year. I will be a junior in high school this year. I'm wondering, what are the best programs of this sort for someone my age to enroll in? Will I be able to graduate on time if I did this sort of thing, and would I be able to take some correspondance courses while in Japan to get some of the credits I need (ie... is there some sort of limit to the number of courses I can take correspondance...)? And what can I expect when I do go there, how screwed will I be because I only just started taking Japanese language classes?

I'd ask some of this to my school counselor, but I can't get in touch with them right now as school hasn't started yet. So, I figured this would be the best place to ask, since no doubt theres someone here who has gone through the experience themselves and has some pointers for a foreign exchange program n00b like myself.

[jingai]

I had friends do Rotary, and it seemed like a good experience. Parents have any Rotarian connections?

[eidolon]

None that I know of. I was looking at the Youth For Understanding organization, they seem to be pretty good. Anyone have any dealings with them before?