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How to choose which country to go on exchange to?
I can't decide between Japan and Mexico. Please don't recommend other countries. I've wanted to go to Japan since I was eleven. I love the mix between traditional asian architecture and modern appeal. I love their fashion, media, culture, and language. I think going to Japan would be an adventure. The problem? I don't know much Japanese at all. Reasons to go to Mexico? I know a LOT of Spanish. I also think it would be cool to know the native language while going on vacation to Spanish-speaking Caribbean areas. So all in all, I want to go to Japan more. I'm just worried about the language barrier. Also, how much Japanese do you estimate I'd know by the end of the exchange?
Public Comments
- Definately go to Japan. It will be a much more different and interesting experience, and i'm pretty sure exchanges are to explore different cultures and languages, so if you already know spanish then what the hell is the point
- I lived in Japan a year. My Japanese wasn't good but I had no problems. I knew others who knew 0 Japanese and had no problems. If you want to go to Japan go there.
- Japan is obviously your first choice, so aim for Japan. 1. How long before you go? If you have a year or several months, then really push to learn Japanese. Does your school offer it? If not, would the school let you do it as an independent study class? Even if you can't do it at school, you may be able to find a class or study group in your community, hire a tutor or get some language immersion software like Rosetta Stone. 2. How long will you be there? If just for a few weeks, then you may be able to get by without knowing much Japanese. If for longer, you probably should make the effort to learn more of it. 3. Will you be staying with a Japanese family? Request one that is fluent in English, so you can make yourself understood if you need to. If you'll be staying with your exchange group and under guidance of English-speaking teachers, again, it will be less important. If you really can't ramp up on Japanese and need to, and decide on Mexico, that seems to be a fine choice to me. But Mexico is not a Caribbean island. Realize that some Caribbean islands speak French, not Spanish (though I think English is also spoken at all of them).
