To answer your question: France. Almost everyone I know who has been there absolutely loves it. As for Japan, the Japanese culture is so different than ours, it would be difficult to make that transformation comfortably. My friend just got back from China and hated it. He was there for 6 weeks and although he had a good time, he said he couldn’t wait to drop his Chinese and pursue his French major without distraction.

p.s. if you go to France you can take a weekend trip to Italy. DO IT! Go to Siena. Best city in the world.

Good luck.

I think you’d be wise to try France, unless you are a very resilient person and really think you could make a go of dealing with life in Japan.

Good luck!

If you want a big cultural change and are ready to face it, then go for Japan. Otherwise, France is a wise choice if you want to be sure of your food, have a relatively small cultural change, pretty easy integration.

Personally I’d choose France, but it’s really your choice you can ask other people their opinion but you are the one who has to take the final decision. Both will be interesting, very different, whatever you choose you will enjoy yourself.

Do you like sushi or baguette?

On the other hand, if you want somewhere more comfortable and familiar, I guess you should choose France.

I would also check out the quality of the specific schools you would be going to.

I would see which language/culture you are more attuned to, and which language you take to. That should point you in the right direction.

If you are majoring in Nursing, be advised that you probably won’t finish your BA in four years, if you spend a year abroad. Not to discourage you, though! It will be a great experience for you, and wonderful to gain fluency in another language!

If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me.