Different countries across all regions offer their own set of challenges and benefits. Choosing what’s right for you can be the trickiest, yet most rewarding, part of the process.

Let’s start with the obvious: Japan. Beaches in Okinawa, cherry blossoms in Kyoto, skiing in Niseko… where to go? You might want to start with “Tokyo” or “not Tokyo” to get the ball rolling. Tokyo is exciting, fast-paced, and full of unique food and the real reason you came to Japan: karaoke (OK, maybe not, but, when in Rome…). Tokyo is great for making business connections and getting experience living and working in the professional world.

However, rural areas in Japan also have their own perks: potentially stronger relationships with locals, a more intimate look at traditional routines, and the unique, often unasked-for, position of being a cultural ambassador for your home country. You might be one of the few–or only–Westerners rural locals will have seen, so you’ll be in the important position of representing your whole country. What they learn about you will greatly shape what they know about all your compatriots! (Just remember… with great power comes great responsibility).

What’s more, the Japanese government actually wants you to come. Yes, you. And they’re paying. As part of the huge movement of “internationalization” happening right now in Japan, the Ministry of Education has chosen 37 universities and is giving them $3.6 million each year for the next 10 years to accept more diversity and increase international collaboration. Japan is actively seeking foreign students to bring in new ideas, and there are scholarships to help you.

Before making your final decision, be sure to check out schools from around the globe, too! Studying outside of Japan gives you the added bonus of mixing with a more international group, getting experience in a related field (if you’re double majoring), and standing out among a smaller pool of Japanese speakers. Also, Toyota, Nintendo, and Toshiba all have huge offices throughout the world, and they all need Japanese speakers like you.

There are many options to study Japanese in Europe, Asia, and Australia, which is the perfect opportunity to combine your Japanese with another skill set. If you are majoring in business and Japanese, for example, you might want to consider New Zealand, which is one of Japan’s major trade partners. Want to be a diplomat? Combine Japanese with law or political studies in the United Kingdom. Want to work in Japan-related firms? Add your commerce or science major to a Japanese one in Germany and watch your opportunities skyrocket.