Abstract
Examining the experiences of Japanese adolescents on year-long exchange programs, this thesis explores how social and material environments shape sojourners’ language learning. It highlights the role of host families and other key individuals in fostering social connections and a sense of belonging, contributing to their desire and opportunity to learn English and other languages in multilingual settings. The importance of location and of online connection is also explored. The study also investigates the longer-term challenges students face in maintaining the competencies and social connections developed abroad once they returned to Japan.