Anyone here go to a language school just for the life experience/fun?

Sure, tons of people do this. I solo travel often and a lot of folks I meet are students who are doing short term language schools while they're young. Only a handful have plans to stay long term. Korea, Japan, Taiwan. I'd say it's pretty normal. Most of the reasons why people do not is either because of debt / student or personal, or career growth or financial reasons.

This is an incredible opportunity! I was born in the 1980s and don't have a career I can easily return to, so my current plan is to continue working and saving until I reach a certain level of financial independence that I can do exactly what you're talking about doing (although as a possible feeler for future longterm living/immigration). As someone over 10 years older than you, the advice I'd give 25 year old me would be to absolutely and immediately follow your gut and jump right in. Your post is pretty well thought out, which to me indicates a high level of thought about this topic. Whenever I think a lot about a topic, research the practicalities, and post about it on Reddit - my gut at this point is basically just trying to finish convincing my mind. I know of people studying at language school in Japan as a bridge to future academic work there, for recreation, as a mid-career break, because of a passion for Japan or the language. You would absolutely not be out of place studying Japanese for 1-2 years before coming back to the states. Do it!

I'm 48, quit my job in Japan and looking forward to a one year intensive course in Japanese! I wanna be a student again, and do it right this time. Also. Looking forward to meeting and making new friends regardless of the age difference. Good luck. I'm sure you will love it.

Do you have a bachelor’s degree? Look into the JET program!

I did this when i was 20. Took a semester off University and went to Beijing to study Chinese for 3 months. I regretted not staying longer after being there for a month and got settled. I still stay in contact with the friends i made in school. If you can afford the time and the money, you won't regret it. I'm dreaming about being able to do that again for Japanese now but I have "responsibilities" 😭

There was an American guy in early 30s who did this. He was only in Tokyo for semesters from October until June (he couldn’t stand the summer in Japan). He was traveling a lot, within Japan and within Asia. He didn’t need to worry about money and he was surely enjoying the cheap prices in Japan. He was also having a lot of fun with the friends he made in Tokyo. I’m not too sure about the details but from what I observed (I was in the same class as him in the Japanese language school), it’s something worthwhile if you have a similar mindset.

I did this. I’m half Japanese but 4th generation from another country so I’m not really connected to my roots. My grandma barely speaks Japanese but I’m closest to my Japanese side of my family so I just wanted to go to japan to learn more about the culture and also I needed a break from work. It was a great time. I made so many friends, had an amazing time, and learned quite a lot (although I have forgotten a lot of it since moving back to my country since I don’t practice speaking). Thankfully in my country I have a really great job and when I told them I was moving to Japan for a year they told me I could come back. So that’s exactly what I did. I don’t know if I’d do the same thing if I didn’t have a job secured. But it was honestly the best decision I made and I even now consider living there again maybe longer term one day. But I also love my job in my country so for now I will stay here and just visit Japan as a tourist.

I've done this multiple times in life and I 100% think that you should do it. Let me break this down as someone that 1) doesn't know you and 2) loves rooting for people that want to enjoy life to the fullest, not just work. There are two ways to do overseas studies. Intensive and part-time. It sounds like you're going for part-time. This is good, because it gives you structure during part of the day, a network of people to form your social group, and enough free time to do whatever you want. Use those afternoons to go all over town and explore. Meet friends of classmates and you'll start meeting other students, business professionals, English teachers, and any other variety of people. You'll learn so much about the world. Your school out of school. I'll list my experiences below: Mexico, part-time. I studies Spanish for a short duration in CDMX. 4 hours of classes in the morning. Afternoons, I'd pick one thing to do and one place that I would like to eat. Each day, I met more people to hang out with and learned way more about Mexico than I would have with intensive class. Colombia, part time. Similar to my time in Mexico, but I had a friend from Bogotá, which helped change the vibes. I played El Tejo at a local spot, checked out the art scene, and enjoyed the views. The British and Brazilian classmates made the trip so much fun. China (Intensive): I had a very long stint in China (1 year). In this study period, I would do classes for 6 hours. Take 2 hours of tutoring, and then study for 2 more hours. It was extremely intense, but my goal was to be able to work in China by the end of that year. I don't recommend this for you. It was so much fun. I learned so much. I made friendships that are still going on almost 20 years later (I'm 43). But I don't recommend this because I had to miss out on some really cool stuff. New food place across town? Sorry, got a class. Rave where the Great Wall meets the ocean? Nah, I have class the next day. My experience wasn't worse than it would have been part-time, it was just different with different goals. I had another 1.5 years of study elsewhere...but they don't really apply to this scenario. I'm planning my next stint, but likely any from here on out will be part-time. For me, languages aren't for work like they used to be. They're for fun...something to make the trip better. Do the same. Enjoy Japan, do morning classes only, don't skip classes, don't spend too much, give people the benefit of the doubt, and say yes to any invitation that isn't sketchy...even when you're tired. In 10 years, you're likely gonna see that this was the only time in your life that you could have done this. You'll see that it was one of the best decisions of this decade. AMA if you're curious for more!

100% do it! I’m 30, currently in Japanese language school just because I wanted to experience more of life by living in a foreign country and learning a new language. I also felt the same about the lack of purpose thing, because surely there has to be more to life than just working forever right? So if you have the opportunity and dream to move, definitely give it a go. I still have my job back home as well so once school wraps up I’d just return back home.

I’m 37 and in 28 days I’ll be boarding a one way flight to Japan with my wife to do this exact thing. Although we plan on living in Japan after school for a while and finding jobs, we’ve both had an affinity for Japan our whole life and a year ago were like “fuck it, yolo” so we started saving money and learning the language and now the day has finally almost come. You should 100% do it.

If you lack of purpose and direction you should find what you like and create a career around it or at least start working as soon as possible to become an adult. Japan won’t help you with this, it’s ok to have fun. But I met a lot of adults in 30s regretting all their choices. This should be at least your priority IN MY OPINION. At 25 I was leading a team of 2 people and I was working for the same company for over 6 years… not saying you should do this or that it’s the right way but at least find your direction

I'm 34 and in a month time I'm heading to Japan to do almost exactly this for 2 years. I had a decade long successful career and was getting burnt out. I decided I wanted to at least _try_ this while I was "young enough". I do intend to try and integrate and fit in and look for work to stay there long term - but it's not necessarily the primary goal. I'm leaving myself open to the idea of "Yeah, that was a cool experience but I'm done with it now" attitude and simply returning to my home country afterwards. I spent my 20's and early 30's dead focused on study and then career. Bought a house, got promotions, earned good money, etc. But I wasn't fulfilled - just going through the motions. And I didn't want to end up as an older person who looked back and thought "I totally could have moved to <place> and tried it out, why didn't I?". I'm privileged to have the opportunity, so I may as well take advantage of it. It's not without its risks though.

Go for it! Have a fun, make new international friends and travel around Japan with your newly learned phrase! It will expand your mind :)

I know a lot of people replied already, but I did this in 2024! I went to Japan for a three month program at a language school. Basically took an unpaid leave from work and was able to return to my job when I came back. It was awesome and I’m so glad I did it.

I go to language school currently and I would say about 80% of westerners are doing exactly that. Just fooling around with 0 plan whatsoever or the plan to go home after 2 years. And many are terrible at improving their Japanese and keep repeating levels at school because of failing grades lol. I'd say if you are aware of the opportunity cost (which is 2 years of savings / investments back home + tuition etc) and willing to sacrifice that for fooling around here then yeah do it.

Do it! I took a 5 month break to attend a language school in Japan. Great experience!

Did this at age 25 leaving a finance career behind in NY. Saved up well my post grad years and pretty much lived off my savings the entirety of my year and 3 months. People have different reasons but a lot of my main hobbies in cosplay and photography kinda rock in Japan especially Tokyo and being able to save my favorite musicians live was also amazing. Go for it if you can afford to just be mindful that job opportunities returning to the US might be a lil tough when you take a break into a relatively young career. It’s a really once in a lifetime experience and really great talking about my time there when people ask!!

Many people do this. That was my initial plan when moving here at 29. Ended up staying. I’ll give you one advice. Do take the school serious even if it’s supposed to just be fun. You never know if you end up staying. I was in school but didn’t take it serious because I was having too much fun in my free time. Too many hangovers and missed classes. My Japanese when I left the school was crap. Had a lot of catching up to do which is way harder when you got a job. Come here, have fun but don’t forget to study.

I’m doing this. Best decision of my life. Just do it while you’re young and have no responsibilities. Tons of people in my language school come for just a year or two.

Many Japanese language schools are pretty brutal with strict attendance requirements. I would not call them "enjoyable" experiences. There is a reason for this; a large percentage of students are from China or Korea looking to enter Japanese university or trade school. Many students are laser focused (and may be working part time too) so don't have much time for social purposes. Generally, language school student housing is "not good." Some of my friends had tiny rooms with common bathrooms and 60+ minute commutes. Some of my Chinese friends were crammed in the most disgusting housing I have ever seen (they had heat and never complained). But depending on your budget you could rent something longer-term (as a foreigner on a student visa, your options will be limited from a practical perspective). You might find some language schools that are less demanding. Or consider a private tutor (that would be non-visa status). If you are really looking for a long-term break, IME, language school experience in Europe is a lot more fun. Partly because the language and cultures are closer to what you are used to. I don't know if you can transfer your nursing experience there.

I didn't, but I know lots of people who are doing that. One of my friends from the US just sold her business and she went to go to a language school in Tokyo for life experience. I did both tourist trips and language school, and personally I think taking a course in a language school will benefit you more in terms of really getting to know the culture, as besides teaching the language in class, they have staff to organize activities, show you around, and tell you things you don't know about the country yet. They also arrange for you to live with a Japanese family so you have the environment.

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