exactly. there are plenty of places here that are just as safe as anywhere in Japan. there are pockets of places that might give Honduras or South Africa a run for their money. and there is a whole lot that lies somewhere in between.
anyway, back to OP @YallTrippin – is there a chance that, after researching everything, Japan might be the best study abroad option for you? and if it turns out Japan turns out to be your best option – what’s the point in having this conversation RIGHT NOW?
you said, “My school has a great engineering program that may allow me to go to Peru for the third year” – but you are still cool with going to Japan year 3. that’s very different from, “Peru is definitely the best study abroad option for me, much better than Japan, how I convince my mom of this?”
I get that Peru, Japan, Morocco, Spain, Taiwan, etc. all interest you – but unless I misunderstand your post, you are talking about 3rd year Study Abroad options, and although they may all sound interesting, you can only pick one. since you have been learning Japanese and presumably not learning Spanish or Arabic, Japan certainly makes sense. so unless you have a compelling reason not to go to Japan, or why one of the opportunities is so much better than Japan, i guess I don’t see the point in convincing your mom right now, during freshman year, to let you go to other countries that you very well may decide not to go to. does that make sense?
it sounds like Japan is your top choice or at least one of your top options for 3rd year. then why even create an argument with her right now about other places you could theoretically go to, unless you have researched all the possibilities and ruled out Japan in favor of Peru or somewhere else? personally I would hate to miss out on a chance to study in Japan even though the other places sound interesting.
also, Taiwan is probably just as safe as Japan.
are there other Study Abroad options you are considering in addition to Year 3 in Japan or Peru?