[Chile]

This thread is full of nay-sayers.
I dare say there's more than one route to achieving your goals. I, too, have many questions on this subject. However, I want to travel to Japan as a college student (Having graduated high school a year ago). I recognize that this is not impossible - provided I am well prepared.
Student loans will be a moderate life-saver.

For those of us who are determined to approach this subject in a way other than obtaining a bachelors and getting a job, are there any recommendations for an advisable route? I would prefer not to be referred to "exchange programs", either. Patience is a virtue - but I don't know that it's always necessary to put off our goals in favor of the most obvious responses to situations.
A challenge isn't so bad, after all.