[*]Singapore: 80% humidity, 30C.
In all seriousness - sounds like Houston.

For the other languages, you can always get a textbook course but you learn the most when you actually go there.
As the whole region is a mess at the moment, especially if you have an american passport or lok like someone from northern europe, try to find someone who can learn you the basics closer to home.
Russian.
Slavic language. If you have some knowledge of Latin and Greek that helps (in holland you are encouraged to have done greek, latin or both). Alphabet is the first thing you'll learn.
Well, as for the point of the trip, what if I learn the language and it turns out I hate the place? I've often heard very negative things from people who've been there. Everything from food to crowds. Personally, the only thing I've heard about Japan that I don't like is Anime...

I picked Japan from a list of three places (Japan, Saudi Arabia, Russia), and Arabia was disqualified because, just personally; speaking from an American perspective, I like being alive. However, since making my decision, I've had people tell me I look Arabic. Especially after donning a Kaffiyeh. In fact, the exact words I heard once were, "Jesus, he looks like an Arab!" Which is nice after always looking like a foreigner in Chile and America (but shouldn't everyone look like a foriegner in America?).
What, if any, region speaks "standard" Arabic? I doubt such a thing can be said with certainty; I can barely think of a place that speaks "standard"
American English - that is, not Yankee or Southern. Maybe California? But then again, is anything normal in California?

As silly as it sounds, sometimes I transliterate Russian Red Army Chorus songs in an effort to learn the alphabet. You know... for fun!
