Why is school life in Japanese anime so different from reality?

After watching so many school anime, I finally went to Japan for a two-week exchange program. Conclusion: Reality is very different from anime😂<br><br>In anime: After-school club activities are super rich, and school festivals are incredibly lively.<br>In reality: Most people leave right after school, and school festivals aren't as exaggerated as they are in anime.<br><br>However, Japanese schools do indeed have many clubs, which is similar to anime. And the manners of Japanese students are truly excellent. But that sense of youth... is really a romanticization unique to anime. Does anyone else have experience with exchange programs at Japanese schools?