Gladstone accountant Chris Dicker not only caught the travel bug during his 10-month study trip to Japan but also may have taken his career on a new tangent.

Chris has just returned home from Urayasu City, Chiba, in Japan where he took courses in the Japanese language and assisted teachers with English classes at the Meikai University.

Chris Dicker (front) with university friends in Japan."The courses had other foreign students so it was great to learn Japanese with them and learn about their cultures as well. The English classes were good as I was able to assist the English teachers with their classes and interact with the students," Chris said.

"Going to Japan made me realise how amazing teaching can be and my career path has changed from being an accountant to being an English teacher in Japan sometime in the future."

Chris' Japanese study tour was part of a CQUniversity scholarship program for which living expenses were paid in return for his assistance for teachers in English classes.

"The program has given me confidence, independence and a real open mind to different cultures."

It wasn't all work and no play for Chris though. He got the chance to visit Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Tower, a variety of shopping centres, Mt Fuji and Kyushu, on the western side of the country.

Chris (centre) enjoys the Japanese culture with friends."This trip for certain is something I would recommend to anyone. Just the idea of going to another country where English is not a dominant language is daunting, but to be honest once you start living there it is amazing.

"I have since caught the travel bug and definitely see myself travelling again in the future. Next place to visit and study is Hong Kong."