Concerning foriegn teams

[ProjectRebirth7]

I'm a former robotics member from the US, and I've been interested in forming a FIRST robotics team in my high school in Japan. I've already seen that many students here have great potential as a team member, but I have yet to see the tools and the workspace, among a myriad of other concerns.
I'd like to hear how the few British and South American teams have come to hear of the FIRST organization and how they managed to make the entire experience work out for them. I'm particularly interested in FIRST's policy concerning foriegn schools entering their organization, as well as how much time, money and people it took to make it happen.
I'm also interested in what FIRST's aim was in the beginning and what it is now. Specifically, Dean Kamen once stated that the FIRST organization was formed to change the culture and society of America. And although many consider this to be normal, many members here have only thought about FIRST reaching out to more high schools and organizations in the US and about reaching a larger National recognition. Not all of us have said/posted these things, and most of those that say it probably have never thought of FIRST as a truly international organization. It's been over ten years since this organization began and the number of teams that has been involved in FIRST has grown from 20 to over a thousand. Has FIRST's vision evolved into something that can be shared on a global scale? Is it possible that FIRST can become an International league of smarts? Or is it too early? Is there a cultural, social and environmental barrier between America and other major countries? Will putting things on a larger global scale discourage local teams to participate?
Please keep in mind that I have not posted an opinion but a topic.