Thank you Backpacker - (BTW also thanks for your excellent description about your experience in the US).
In reply to your question: am planning to fly in both Europe and overseas. I am aware that a FAA PPL is sufficient to convert to a local licence (i.e. Japan, Thailand), and that after tallying 100+ h it is possible to convert to a JAA's (but I think there are some extra exams required for EU). As it seems more easy to convert from a JAR-PPL, rather than towards, I figured it is more simple to start w/ the JAA.
(As a side note: I suppose that a JAR Class 2 medical certification from any European country is fine?)