I was in Japan as a uni student, so I had to do some study (but on the down side, I was pov )... but I honestly learnt more Japanese from going to parties and just generally hanging out with people. Before I went to Japan I got some great advice from a friend who'd previously studied in France and became fluent... he told me to avoid the English language like a plague and try to exclusively speak Japanese as much as possible. So I took that advice -- best advice I ever got as far as language learning is concerned! And I pass this advice onto anyone else who is thinking about learning a language overseas Nowadays most of the Japanese I speak is with my daughter. (which is kinda limited cos she is, as she would say 「にいぃさあああぁぁぁいいぃぃ！」
"Ttwwwoooo yyyeeaaaaarrs oooollld!"