5 Real Tips to Get the Most Out of Studying Abroad in Japan

Your first day at a Japanese language school has finally arrived. You’ve got your textbooks, your flashcards—and probably a little anxiety too. But let’s be honest: you didn’t travel all the way to Japan just to memorize grammar rules and practice dialogues alone in your room.

Studying abroad in Japan is a rare opportunity to turn the entire country into your classroom. Here are five practical, real-world tips to help you make the most of your experience—both inside and outside school.

1. Speak. A Lot. (Even When It’s Uncomfortable)

Language schools give you daily opportunities to speak Japanese—but it’s surprisingly easy to stay quiet. Fear of mistakes can creep in fast. You might worry about saying something like

私（わたし）はトイレです instead of これはトイレです, and suddenly silence feels safer.

Here’s the truth: everyone learning Japanese makes mistakes. Even native speakers slip up. The fastest progress happens when you push past embarrassment and speak anyway.

Use class time fully. Ask questions. Volunteer answers. Make mistakes loudly. Your teacher is there to correct you, and your classmates are struggling right alongside you.

To reinforce this confidence outside class, many students use Chatty Sensei to practice speaking daily. Because it lets you train through hundreds of real-life scenarios—ordering food, job interviews, casual conversations, emergencies—you can make mistakes safely before using Japanese in the real world. Think of it as rehearsal for real life in Japan.

2. Make Friends (Especially in Japanese)

Your classmates can become one of the best parts of your study abroad experience.

Most students in a language school are around your level, which means you can actually talk to each other in Japanese without feeling completely lost. You’ll struggle together, laugh at awkward phrases, and slowly build confidence as a group.

Because classmates come from all over the world, conversations can get surprisingly deep—and strange. You might discuss Vietnamese food culture, Swedish coffee habits, or how to swear in Portuguese… all in Japanese. Yes, it’s confusing. You’re learning unfamiliar concepts through a foreign language. But that mental challenge is exactly what accelerates fluency.

Practicing these kinds of conversations on Chatty Sensei—especially its everyday and casual dialogue scenarios—can help you feel more natural and relaxed when speaking with classmates in real life.

3. Talk to Your Teachers and School Staff

Your teachers and school staff aren’t just academic resources—they’re lifelines for living in Japan.

Many students hesitate to ask for help because they don’t want to sound unprepared or awkward. That hesitation often turns into regret. Teachers are usually more than happy to help you practice conversation, clarify grammar, or explain cultural nuances.

Office staff can also help with real-life challenges: city hall registration, phone contracts, banking, or even figuring out Japan’s famously complicated garbage rules. While the internet has answers, school staff can explain things in simple Japanese, in real time—and make sure you actually understand.

Practicing these interactions beforehand with Chatty Sensei’s daily-life scenarios can make those conversations far less intimidating.

4. Join Clubs and Extracurricular Activities

If your school offers extracurricular activities, take advantage of them.

Clubs and special classes—like business Japanese, extra kanji practice, or cultural activities such as dance or calligraphy—offer a more natural way to use Japanese outside textbooks. You’ll hear casual speech, specialized vocabulary, and cultural expressions you might never encounter in a standard lesson.

These activities also help you meet people outside your usual class, expanding both your social circle and your language exposure.

To prepare, many students review related vocabulary and expressions beforehand using Chatty Sensei, choosing scenarios that match upcoming activities so they can participate with more confidence.

5. Try a Part-Time Job When You’re Ready

Once your Japanese reaches a comfortable level and your schedule allows, a part-time job can dramatically accelerate your progress.

Job interviews, resumes, customer service, workplace etiquette—none of this feels like textbook Japanese. You’ll need keigo, casual speech, and fast listening skills all at once. It’s challenging, but incredibly effective.

You’ll also learn job-specific vocabulary: restaurant slang, retail phrases, office expressions. And yes—you get paid while learning.

Many students prepare for this step by practicing job interviews, workplace conversations, and keigo scenarios on Chatty Sensei, using the app’s 7-day free trial to unlock all features before committing.

Don’t Let Learning Stop at the Classroom Door

Studying abroad in Japan is one of the most powerful ways to improve your Japanese—but only if you actively engage with the language every day.

Speak often. Ask questions. Join activities. Work part-time. And supplement your real-world experiences with tools like Chatty Sensei, where you can practice hundreds of real-life situations anytime, anywhere.

The more you live in Japanese, the faster it becomes yours.