Student Exchange In JAPAN

[PatsGirl]

Oh vey! DD14 just got the call from her school that she was chosen to be part of the foreign exchange program Homestay Japan that her school and a Japanese school take part in. She applied in 6th grade as well but wasn't picked and it is an every other year program with alternative country visits. The application process began before the earthquake/tsunami and I encouraged her to apply. She took the time to write a four page essay on why she'd like to learn the culture and visit the country. It is not just the visit, it is an intense Japanese seminar program that takes place over the next 10 weeks (4 hours/week) at her own school before actual trip. Acceptance is very competitive (or was until now I guess).

I talked to her instructor when he called this afternoon. He assured me that they are in constant contact with the program administrator in Japan and that, although we have to commit within five days, the school is continuing on with the process but will make pertinent decisions as time evolves, including cancelling the trip.

I am inclined to commit and put my trust in the school administration. At the very least she will gain considerable insight into the culture whether the trip takes place or not and if it does, great, if it doesn't, well...again, trust that the administration is doing the right thing. No money on my end will be lost. In fact, the entire 10 day trip costs each family only $500 plus spending money anyways.

Just curious...would you nix the opportunity now and let someone else take the spot or continue along the process and see what happens and essentially trust the school adminstration's judgment in the end? Why?

As a sidenote, DS was stationed very close to where the tsunami hit but was deployed to Iraq just two weeks before. Timing is everything I guess and I found it ironic that I could be happy he was deployed He will be going back to has base in Misawa after his deployment. Just another reason why DD wants to learn and see the country (although he won't be there at the same time, her trip is scheduled for the end of July and he won't get back until the fall).

 

[Acklander]

While I'd trust the school to make the right decision based on the information available, I wouldn't trust the authorities in Japan to make the proper information available as far as the radiation is concerned, so I'd talk to my teen about declining.

 

[PatsGirl]

Thank you for your quick response, I do appreciate the unbiased, unemotional opinion.

 

[quasar4legs]

What part of Japan?

 

[PatsGirl]

That's the kicker, I don't have the exact information yet, but only know that it is south of Tokyo. There was no damage and all trains, etc. are fine but radiation and food sources are a concern that I keep reading about.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

My dh works for the govt. He received an unclassified memo that states all travel to Japan is strictly forbidden, even stopovers unless the person is part of the recovery process etc. That memo itself speaks volumes to me. My dh is doing work in China now anyway.

I am sure your dd would be upset, but her safety is most important right now.

 

[PatsGirl]

Thank you, that does speak volumes. DD's reaction is not part of the equation really, I would never base any decision on what my kids want if my common sense says its not safe. I'm just looking for reasons why/why not...

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OK, I asked my dh and my own 14yodd who also loves Japan and everything about it and the general consensus was YES.

It is 10 days over the summer correct? What city?

Sounds almost like couch surfing.

 

[mom2grace]

Do you have the option to commit, do the stateside learning, and then pull out before the actual trip? I would take that risk, even assuming I would lose the $500. That is dirt cheap, the airfare alone is way more than that!

 

[s____!]

If they cancelled this year, would she be able to go next year?

 

[HeatherC]

Normally, I wouldn't hesitate to go. But I have to say the whole nuclear disaster really gives me cause for concern. I think it is probably much worse than we know and the authorities are trying to keep everyone calm while dealing with a disaster that they just don't know how to control or fix.

Even another small earthquake near there could really make that whole nuclear plant totally unsalvageable and containment impossible if it isn't already.

If they think they are detecting radiation in the rainwater here in Ma, I really wonder what it is in Japan.

Unfortunately, the effects may not be fully known for years. In trying not to be an alarmist, I would have big concerns over the long term health effect it could have.

I think I personally would wind up passing on the opportunity for now.

But whatever you decide...best of luck to your daughter!

 

[PatsGirl]

We do have the option of committing and then declining but that would be taking someone else's spot and I'm not good with that, although I am quite sure there are others who are thinking the same exact thing.

DD cannot go next year, this is 8th grade and she'll be moving on to a new high school, so its now or never.

Honestly, I am concerned about more earthquakes as well but am hoping that they can assess/predict the likelihood, the trip is four months away.

 

[PatsGirl]

The more I think about this, I wonder if they will have enough kids commit and if not, would they be willing to put together a different type of trip for those that have been accepted and working towards the application for several months. That would be ideal. Would love to have them call and tell me, hey Japan is off the table but how about XXXXXXXXXXXX?

 

[krcit]

While I'd trust the school to make the right decision based on the information available, I wouldn't trust the authorities in Japan to make the proper information available as far as the radiation is concerned, so I'd talk to my teen about declining.

 

[golfgal]

We do have the option of committing and then declining but that would be taking someone else's spot and I'm not good with that, although I am quite sure there are others who are thinking the same exact thing.

DD cannot go next year, this is 8th grade and she'll be moving on to a new high school, so its now or never.

Honestly, I am concerned about more earthquakes as well but am hoping that they can assess/predict the likelihood, the trip is four months away.

It's a tough call but this won't be her absolute last chance to go ever-just with this program. She will have opportunities later in life to go--just not for $500. If I were in your position I would "commit" with the understanding that if things over there worsen, you are dropping out. Yes, you MAY be taking another child's spot, but maybe not. Do they have a waiting list they use in case someone does drop out?

 

[suejai]

I had almost the same dilemma. DS wanted to go on a school trip to Japan next year. The cost was $3900 and we had to commit to it this month. The school is still planning on going, so far, but we decided against sending him. If it had been just the earthquake and tsunami I would have let him go, as they were not going to the same area; however the radiation and the ongoing potential for more makes me too uncomfortable. If he feels very strongly about going, he can always make the trip as an adult.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

My DD has always wanted to go to Japan. She even wants to LIVE there when she gets older!
Honestly, I would pass on this year's opportunity. I worry about radiation. I think things are too unsettled right now over there. If something happened to your daughter, that is one heck of a LONG flight to get to her.

 

[akcire]

I would probably sign her up, explaining to her up front that she may not actually get to visit Japan. I would wait until more information is available to decide if you actually send her to Japan. Once you know the destination you can make a more informed choice. Four months is a long time.

Not to be an alarmist, but the two questions my surgeon asked me at 30 when I had thyroid cancer were: did you grow up near 3-mile island? or had I ever gone swimming near Chernobyl? No one knows why I had thyroid cancer (especially at that young age), nor do I think it is the worst thing; but I can't really recommend it either. If you do choose to send her to Japan you can take precautions to protect her thyroid to prevent it from soaking up some of the radiation.

Also if in 4 months they have not had more stabilization from a humanitarian aspect, the school will likely not want to risk sending the kids.

I know that many of the more wealthy Japanese in Tokyo are currently leaving the country. Not that they are abandoning their homeland, they are just taking a wait and see approach.

 

[Imzadi]

My dh works for the govt. He received an unclassified memo that states all travel to Japan is strictly forbidden, even stopovers unless the person is part of the recovery process etc. That memo itself speaks volumes to me. My dh is doing work in China now anyway.

I am sure your dd would be upset, but her safety is most important right now.

That's what I read, too. In fact the U.S. chartered planes, recommending people to get people OUT of the country.

Normally, I wouldn't hesitate to go. But I have to say the whole nuclear disaster really gives me cause for concern. I think it is probably much worse than we know and the authorities are trying to keep everyone calm while dealing with a disaster that they just don't know how to control or fix.

Even another small earthquake near there could really make that whole nuclear plant totally unsalvageable and containment impossible if it isn't already.

If they think they are detecting radiation in the rainwater here in Ma, I really wonder what it is in Japan.

Unfortunately, the effects may not be fully known for years. In trying not to be an alarmist, I would have big concerns over the long term health effect it could have.

I think I personally would wind up passing on the opportunity for now.

But whatever you decide...best of luck to your daughter!

Yes, you can't really undo massive radiation. And the effects won't be known for years. Early reports said that the men who stayed to try to contain the leaks at the nuclear plants were the older men, not the young men, as the older men would probably die before the effects of radiation killed them.

You can't say that about DD. Does it occur to you that the reason DD got picked is because other students declined before she was called?

Japan will be there in her future if she really needs to go someday. I don't think now is that time.

 

[kidzmom3]

the state department has issued warnings for American citizens.

"The State Department strongly urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Japan at this time and those in Japan should consider departing. "

also I wonder about this statement

"Honestly, I am concerned about more earthquakes as well but am hoping that they can assess/predict the likelihood, the trip is four months away."

they cannot predict earthquakes, this one was not forseen. They have been having hundreds of aftershocks. Japan is located on a subduction zone. The ocean floor is going under the continental and oceanic plates. There will always be danger of earthquakes there.