Study Abroad in Japan or Korea?

I need to make a decision soon about where I should study abroad. I’m looking for ways to make this decision. I’m considering majoring in Japanese since the language is offered at my school and I have some interest in the culture. This means the ‘smartest’ decision would be to study abroad in Japan so I can hone in on my language skills. However, it isn’t really a language or country of passion for me. Since I moved back to the U.S. my best friends were Korean American. Over nine years of being with them and experiencing the culture with their families, I feel so much more comfortable and passionate about Korean culture. I started self-studying the language because I want to talk more with their families. So, this would be a great opportunity for me to have that experience. I also want to mention, I’m studying to become an ESL teacher and I (for now) see myself living in Korea for a year or two to teach English. How can I make this decision between what I think might be smart and what, ultimately, I’m more passionate about?

To me, this is almost (but not quite) a no-brainer. Go to Korea. Your college might well have some reciprocal agreement with another nearby college and perhaps you can take Korean there.

The only thing I find confusing is that you are considering a major in Japanese. You express some interest, but is it really more interesting to you to study Japanese over another language?

I’m sure you realize that Japanese is a very difficult language, often considered one of the most difficult. FWIW, my D started Japanese as a sophomore and had no previous knowledge of it. She did study abroad in Japan and had a great time living with a host family, but she was also totally interested in the culture and really wanted to live there.

You’re only young once, so as long as you will get proper, relevant credit for your course work should you choose Korea, I see no compelling reason to go to Japan. However, if you do decide you will indeed major in Japanese, it is true that there is no substitute for studying in that country, and ideally living with a host family to have the best chance of being fluent.

It’s probably a good idea for you to spend some time thinking about how deep your interest is in studying Japanese. It’s a tough language, make no mistake, and living there is probably the best way to become fluent enough to make it worth majoring in.

@Lindagaf my daughter was just accepted into her first choice study abroad program in Japan - AKP. Was your daughter part of that program by any chance? She is excited to live in Kyoto and do the home stay. If you have any advice for her about the experience (even if your DD wasn’t AKP) I’d love to hear.

@LMC9902 , I’ll message you.