MMoving to Japan

Exchange trip

  • September 26, 2025

Hello! i wasn't sure what to put as the flair, since its mostly questions, but i have a few things i would like to ask people 🙂 i'm going on a semester exchange trip to Japan next year for high school, and even though i've done my own research, i would like some responses from people who have experienced these things. i've been to japan once, but as a tourist, not a student, so i'm not quite sure. everyone who i've asked had obviously exaggerated their responses like some sort of recruitment agency and over-glamorized everything, but i want honest answers. here are my questions:

1) would a highschool student get bullied for liking things such as visual kei?

2) is it more of the youth or the older generations that don't take mental health seriously, or is it both

3) would a highschool student have time in any part of their free time to go to a concert? (my fav band tours in one of the areas i may be placed in)

4) how do exchange students usually do in making friends? i'm scared of being alone or being made fun of for my interests (visual kei, jirai kei, EGL, metal music, among others- this may just be internalized however since i've experienced bullying here in America for liking these things)

by Upset_Map8302

1 comment

  1. 1. Really hard to say. Liking anything openly and intensely can lead to bullying. Japanese schools are often very conformist and kids can be cruel no matter what county you’re in.

    2. Both. Awareness of mental health issues and developmental challenges are not widely understood. It’s gradually getting better, but don’t expect anyone to understand or have empathy for what you’re going through. Again, children can be cruel in any country. 

    3. Exchange students usually aren’t treated like normal students. You could very well not have any real coursework or exams while you’re there. However, you would still be a minor in a foreign country who is probably kept on a fairly short leash. Japanese students generally lead very regulated lives.

    4. Again this is hard to say. Lots of people have specific interests, but don’t expect to magically find that lots of people share yours. You’ll likely be a novelty and people will want to get to know you though. Just be friendly and open and people will respond positively. 

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