Advice Thoughts on language school for long term stay

[PointOfNoReturn]

Ive been exploring this option for a while now. 1-2 year visas are available to students learning at a language school or uni in China and Japan. China is more affordable which would give me more leeway with my savings, and it seems the most practical choice. I’ve researched schools and have begun the application process(don’t have to pay a dime unless I’m accepted) but wondering about a few things incase anyone here has gone that route but ig this applies to traveling in general

1. Would you recommend a more rural location or metropolis(think Shenzhen or Tokyo obv). The former would be good if I want full on exposure to the language of that country since I’d assume those locations would receive less foreigners, the girls there would likely interact with much less western males too. Plus tuition and cost of living = cheaper. As for the latter, night life gives you more shit to do, school time is like 4 hours a day 5 days a week, if that, so I’d have all the time in the world to party and hit people up. More connections to make with other foreigners too.
Language immersion vs social networking

2. What country out of these two do you think is the better option, and which city would you reside in. And for how long? 2 years is a fairly long time to spend overseas in one location, wouldn’t want to get bored.

3. I mentioned how China is more affordable, but they don’t allow part time work. Japan would allow 26~ of work a week. Not much but it would reduce my expenses, at the same time I’m not traveling to wage and school would already eat into my time. Still think it’s an option to consider if I went the Japan route.

Not that being in a rural area has any negatives since I’d be afforded the option to travel to more populated areas when I feel like it.

 

[14passport]

I wouldn't call it longterm, but as you say it's good for 1-4 years I believe.
Usually one of the easiest visas to get as long as you have money to pay for the school tuition.

 

[Orientalist]

1. Would you recommend a more rural location or metropolis(think Shenzhen or Tokyo obv). The former would be good if I want full on exposure to the language of that country since I’d assume those locations would receive less foreigners

Total overkill especially when just starting to learn the language. Muh "just live in the country and you'll pick up the language" is cope. 95% of your learning will be due to your decisions and not your environment. Countless expats live in Asia and don't speak a single damn word of the local language thanks to translation software and their wife.
The difference in immersion potential between a tier 1 and tier 2 city in China is gonna be pretty negligible, especially besides motivational factors, e.g. wanting to learn more if only 1% of people speak decent English instead of a whopping 5%. And if you're talking some Tier 3/4 village, that's kind of retarded in general to move there for 2 years - but it's your life
Anyways you can't go wrong with Tokyo. China on the other hand, if you end up in a city you've never been before you may not like it, or get FOMO about living in other cities

 

[geneblackman]

I would go for China. Chinese people seem a lot cooler in my experience. It's more of an up and coming country I think. Their culture is a lot more open, they have fun social media, the language is easier

If my personality were compatible with Japan I'd probably go there but their way of thinking and communicating makes me angry. Probably good if you're more timid though.

 

[Rance]

1. Do not stay in a rural or even semi-rural area... you will regret it... every language student who studies out in the inaka is depressed as shit and ends up hating Japan due to the chip on the shoulder it brings. Big city every time

2. You are going to LANGUAGE SCHOOL to study the LANGUAGE, your concern should be whether you want to learn Chinese or Japanese. Think about your future here and where you want to geomaxx long term. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice, but I can assure you Tokyo will blow your mind if you do choose it

3. Avoid part-time work at all costs. You will make like $5 USD per hour at konbini and it will suck. Save up as much as you can. If you have to do part-time work, do something illicit like being a bartender or a host because it pays way better and is just more interesting