Studying abroad in Fukuoka will, without a doubt, be one of the most unique experiences of your life; Japan is westernized, so the standard of living is the same as at home, but speckled with a culture that is endearing, puzzling, and usually split-your-sides funny. You’ll be telling stories about this place for years (and about the toilets and their many buttons in particular).
Homestays are highly recommended for both cost and cultural immersion (your host family will love almost literally nothing more than teaching you how to use chopsticks the right way), but dormitories and private apartments are available through some programs for students looking for a little more independence while studying in Fukuoka.
In Japan, ramen isn’t just a staple in a broke college student’s diet—it’s a dangerously delicious culinary masterpiece, and Fukuoka does it really, really right. Don’t pass on the soba either, and don’t stick your chopsticks directly into your rice for safekeeping (it’s an incredibly rude gesture!).
Be sure to check out the Shinkansen, the 200 mile-per-hour bullet train that will take you all the way to Tokyo (with one change of train). Fukuoka itself has extensive public transportation including buses and subways, so no excuses for being late to class.