B Anderson wrote:

> My university has strong exchange programs with Japan also, but I missed
> out. I am extremly upset and bitter.

I wouldn't be. Exchange programs are basically set up so that Japanese
universities can attract Japanese students on the grounds that their
college will be "international". The whole KansaiGaidai caper being a
representative example.

> Being a student is the only chance to really have fun in Japan, after
> that everyone must be a "shakaijin".

Not really. No matter how long a western looking foreigner is in Japan,
we are never really expected to fit in. There is plenty of room for
fun, especially if your employment situation is flexible enough.