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Why Are Sharehouses The Best Shelter Option When You Are Starting Life In Abroad?

In the present world, borders and boundaries have become fluid. These lines that mark and enclose an area to represent a city, country, or continent, and which primarily only exist on paper are in the present world not as rigid as they used to be earlier. Instead, in the present moment, these boundaries have become porous to allow people to move in and out of a country. This sits true for the borders and boundaries of almost all the countries or continents around the globe.

The Earth presently has become a global space, and all the cities and countries have become a part of its chain. Whether it is for studies or managing businesses, every year we witness people moving across borders. Because of this, it has become a natural occurrence to find citizens of different nationalities living together in a country they were not born or brought up.

But if you have ever traveled overseas, then you would know that living in a new country is not a very pleasant experience especially during the initial days. It is so because when you go to a new place you usually miss your old friends and family, and the previous surroundings terribly. Plus, when you move to a new country you feel like a stranger, and thus, it becomes difficult to blend in.

Mixing-in in a new country is not as easy as it may appear in the first place. We say so because when you go to a new place, you usually don’t know much about the culture or tradition of that place. And because of this, you always feel anxious and stressed in your new surroundings. You are always on your toes observing how other people are behaving so you would not mistakenly do that would hurt or disrespect the sentiments of the natives.

Thus, in such a time when you have freshly moved into a new country, it is considered a good idea to live in a share house. Doing so will help you in many ways. Wondering how that works? Well, in that case, read our next section to find out your answers.

How are share houses helpful in starting a fresh life in a new country?

A sharehouse is a big property that is offered on rent to tenants where many strangers share the same roof. In a share house, you can rent a single room for yourself or you can rent a room that houses 3 to 4 people in total depending upon your needs and requirements. This place is a top shelter choice for people, especially for those who have freshly shifted to a new country because-
It helps you in understanding alien customs.

As we have already established, when you move to a new country, chances are that you will be unfamiliar with its customs and traditions. This can make you anxious while adding to your stress levels. Also, there is this probability that if you did something wrong because of your unfamiliarity with the local customs that the natives find offending or insulting, then you might feel even more alienated and alone. Thus, for this reason, it is a safe choice to live in a share house at least for the initial days because there you are bound to come across many people who will be interested in international exchange.

When you will live with them, such people will help you in learning more about their local culture, while at the same time they will also try to understand your traditions. This healthy exchange will make your life significantly easier. So, if you want to know about the local customs and traditions of a place, its food, its manners, etc. in a friendly way without wasting much time, then share houses should be your top priority while seeking shelter.

It is a borderless accommodation

When you move to a new space how fluently you can speak their local language plays a very important role in deciding the ease with which you will blend in your new surroundings. So, for example, if you have moved to Japan for your further studies and you can fluently speak and write Japanese, then this will probably mean that you will find it easier to navigate Japan as compared to someone who doesn’t even understand Japanese. It is so because when you don’t understand the local language of a place, you find it hard to explain to people your queries or emotions.

Now, in such a scenario, it is wise to find a share house in your new country because in share houses you can probably find residents who are familiar with your language. In this way, your common language can help you in befriending people and it can also help you in learning the local language quite easily. We, BORDERLESS HOUSE, make language exchange easy for you by offering on our website the information about the nationality of its residents. You can even opt to talk to the residents of the share house while requesting a preview of the property.

It offers you easier access to common knowledge

When you shift to a new country, other than the customs, traditions, and language of that place there are many other things that you ought to learn about your new home town. These things include information on the common practices of the new place, knowledge about local shops and convenience stores in your locality, and awareness about the norms of living in that place such that your safety is not threatened.

Living in a share house can help you in gaining easy access to such information. It is so because when you are sharing a roof with other people you are bound to interact with them. In your conversations, you can come across the above-mentioned info without even requesting for the same. In opposed to this, if you opt to live alone in a new country, then acquiring such information may take some time.

Thus, these are some reasons because of which living in a share house should be your preferred choice. Living here can help you in settling-in easily.

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What Is A Sharehouse?

A sharehouse is a rental space where people who are living independently, gather to live together. Except for private rooms, all other spaces are shared with fellow tenants. The shared spaces include the lounge area, where tenants can interact with one another, the kitchen, where they can prepare a variety of cuisines and meals, and the bathroom.

Share houses are mainly occupied by similarly aged (young and middle-aged) independently living locals or foreigners who have moved to Korea. Share houses appeal to this group of people due to the diversity, comfort of living, and fun that they offer to its tenants.

Popularity Of Share Houses

The increasing focus on shared spaces in television dramas and the collective generational desire to interact with new people and explore new things has led to the popularity of share houses in east Asia.

The Share House Culture

Different companies provide sharehouses with different themes, aiming to bring like-minded people together. Some shares houses are based on similar interests like sports, while there are some share houses that are only for girls or for single mothers, etc.

When living at a share house, one can learn about local culture, taste authentic local food, understand the local lifestyle, and make friends with local residents. BORDERLESS HOUSE is one of the leading share house companies in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, as they offer a variety of multicultural shares houses.

After co-living for a period of time, and in some cases even sharing a room, housemates leave their sharehouses with strong friendships with individuals from various countries across the globe.

Share House v/s Room Share: The Better Rental

When moving to another country, most people go for the conventional choice of a rental accommodation i.e. leasing an apartment or sharing a rental house. While the cost of a rental is divided between flatmates in a shared rental, the overhead costs and the money spent during the first month of leasing can empty your pockets.

A rental apartment has to be furnished, the monthly bills for electricity, gas, internet, and water have to be paid, and the cost of repairs, if any, must be shouldered by the flatmates.
By contrast, when renting a space in a share house, the tenants all pay a monthly rent and maintenance fee, and the management details are all handled by the sharehouse company.

A rental apartment or room is generally shared by people who either are friends or have previously decided to group together for the purpose of leasing the space together. While living with someone you already know may sound more comfortable, it leaves little space for learning. If you and your roommates are all foreigners, then it will be increasingly difficult for you to immerse yourself in the local way of living.

What Kind Of Personality Fits Share House Life well?

1. An open heart

Obviously, a share house constitutes communal spaces, which means you’ll share your space with your housemates who come from everywhere around the world. Everyone has their own different backgrounds, personalities and experiences, so, an open heart and mind are important for anyone considering staying in a share house.

2. People who love to make new friends!

Communication is one of the main concept points of BORDERLESS HOUSE. Most of our tenants expect to be placed in an environment where tenants are willing to communicate and interact to each other! So, make an effort not to hide away in your room, and instead, join your housemates, enjoy your time together, and make it memorable!

3. Maintain house cleanliness and environment with other housemates

A clean and comfortable environment requires all the housemates to work on maintaining it together. In BORDERLESS HOUSE, all tenants will need to take turns to do the housework together!

BORDERLESS HOUSE

BORDERLESS HOUSE is an International share house company with 122 share houses and 1285 rooms available for rent in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. BORDERLESS HOUSE caters to a large number of tenants every month. These tenants are from around 50 different countries and come to the share house with their own cultural knowledge to impart and a lot to gain from other housemates.

The ratio of locals and foreigners in a share house depends upon each share house company. The resident ratio between locals and foreigners at BORDERLESS HOUSE share houses is equal. This guarantees foreigners an opportunity to interact with locals and learn the culture, language, and traditions of the country.

The essence of a share house by BORDERLESS HOUSE is to create a multicultural space, where borders do not matter- where people from different countries across the world live together and share experiences. Residents teach and learn from each other, and become lifelong friends.

The Benefits Of Staying At A BORDERLESS HOUSE

● When you move to another country, you come across a lot of new and unexpected things. The food, the lifestyle, the language, the culture, and people’s perspectives are all new and strange at first. While some people find it easy to adapt into new spaces, others might have trouble interacting with people and making friends. Living together under the same roof, provides an immediate community of friends and a great environment for people to start talking.

● When living together for an extended period, housemates can learn each other’s culture and way of living. Interaction with people from different cultures helps you broaden your perspectives and learn new things about human nature.
Living with locals can help you learn the culture and folklore of the country. You can even celebrate local festivals, i.e. Chinese New Year, Seollal, and Shogatsu with local people!

● If you have moved to either Japan, Korea, or Taiwan for the long term, then knowledge of the local language will certainly come in handy. With the help your local housemates, you can simplify your life by learning the local language. Knowing the local language will help you better navigate around the country and take a step towards being accepted as a resident of your new country!

● When living at a share house, you can benefit from the advice and knowledge of your local housemates. Once you become friends, you can visit popular local restaurants and bars together. If you need to buy something, they can recommend the best shops in the area, or even accompany you to one. Basically, when living in a share house, you will never feel alone despite being in a foreign country.

● While there are many social benefits of living at a share house, it is also economically beneficial for people who are living alone. The monthly cost of staying at a share house is generally cheaper than that of a private apartment. Apart from the rent and maintenance fee, the tenants are not expected to pay for additional facilities like the internet, water, gas, etc. In some cases they can share the cost of cooking with other tenants and save money while making friends.

● Considering that a lot of people are housed together, share houses generally offer better and smarter house appliances. Some share houses even offer home theatres and fitness studios.

● To make the life of tenants at the share house easier, share house companies have dedicated house management staff to oversee the maintenance of the share house. From broken appliances to leaking pipes, every big and small maintenance job is handled by the company staff so that the tenants of the share house have one less thing to worry about.

BORDERLESS HOUSE is located in many different cities, including Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei, amongst others. These houses are located in areas that are nearby to local markets, stations, and other regularly visited places to ensure maximized convenience and ease of living for the tenants.

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Are Share Houses Good Options For People Who Are Starting A Life Away From Parents?

Today’s youth, the youth of the 21 st century, very well understands the importance of freedom and independence. They know how significant it is to stand on its legs without the support of others, even if that support is extended by your loved ones like your parents and relatives. Adolescents know the necessity of becoming self-sufficient, therefore, in the present era as soon as they reach the legal age, they start striving for financial and other types of independence. One significant step that they undertake to become independent and self-sufficient is living away from their parents.

Living away from parents is a hard decision. When you live away from your home, where you don’t have the support of your parents or loved ones, you would face the unforeseeable future alone and learn important lessons. Or when you find a job in a different city or when you have to go abroad for completing your studies, staying away from the home becomes a necessity. However, whatever be the cause, it cannot be denied that staying away from home is difficult. It is majorly because when you leave home you are forced to take care of your security and your eating habits. There is nobody to look after you. Hence, for those who are about to stay away from home, we have a solution – the share house.

Living in a share house after you move away from your parents’ home may not seem very promising, but this option can certainly make the transition easier for adolescents. Now, if you are wondering how that works, then read our next section to find your answers!

Why is a share house a good accommodation option for living away from parents?

Living in a share house is an altogether different experience. There are so many things that you can learn when you live here, away from the protective shadow of your loved ones. 

Renting this place as a living space when you start living away from your parents is the best decision that you can make because of the following reasons.

● Share houses are secure spaces

When you are looking for shelter options, share houses should be your top-choice because these places are secure. It is so because of two reasons.

First, most of the share houses are well-managed under the management companies, if any issues or problems happen at the share house, the management companies would visit the house and help you to solve any problems with you which you don’t need to deal with it alone by yourself. Secondly, when living in a share house you share the home with many housemates. This acts as an added layer of security as there is an advantage to living in a group when compared to living alone. So, after moving out of the home if you realize that you are not so confident about your safety, then look for a share house as that is your safest option.

● Share houses are furnished spaces

When you newly move out of your home, you are trying to become independent and self-sufficient, but you usually do not have enough finances to support yourself. Also, at this stage, you are not used to living without any facilities, equipment, and furniture. Hence, at such times, the share house is a very good accommodation option as it comes equipped and well-furnished. Thus, living here saves you from a lot of trouble while also helping you in saving money. Thus, if you are staying away from your family and looking for a shelter, and you do not own much money, try renting a share house.

● They have broadband lines and internet connections

 

This pointer is specially meant for those people who have moved abroad in search of a job or for completion of their studies. When you move to a new place the broadband lines and the internet connection is a must-have as it helps you in staying connected with your friends and family back home. This connection, in a broad sense, helps you in staying connected with the world, and it protects you from feeling alienated in a new country. However, when you move to a new country, getting an internet connection, or setting up new broadband lines can be tough, and it can take time. In such circumstances, it is generally considered a wise move to rent a share house as these places have already up and running
broadband lines and internet connection. Hence, living in a share house especially when you are a foreigner can help you in reducing your expenses, waiting time, and extra efforts.

● Share houses will improve your eating habits

When you are living with your parents, you have your siblings, your mother, or someone else in your family fussing over your eating habits. In the home, someone is always cooking your favorite meal and asking you multiple times if you have had your meal or not. But when you move out to live independently, there is no one to check on you because of which many people fall into the habit of skipping meals. In this context too, living in a share house is beneficial because there you live in the company of housemates who might have good culinary skills. A lot of times, these people also teach you how to cook different cuisines. Also, when you are with other people, cooking and eating a healthy diet doesn’t seem like much effort.

Because of these reasons, it can be ascertained that living in a share house is the best option after you have moved out of your parents’ place.

Living in a share house teaches you to be independent while not making you suffer much. 

BORDERLESS HOUSE should be your first agenda when you are looking for a new shelter to move in.

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Are Share Houses A Good Option For People Who Are Starting A Life Away From Parents?

Now, today’s youth, which is the youth of the 21st century, very well understands the importance of freedom and independence. Our youth knows how significant it is to stand on its legs without the support of others, even if that support is extended by your loved ones like your parents and relatives. Adolescents know the necessity of becoming self-sufficient, and therefore, in the present era as soon as they reach the legal age, they start striving for financial and other types of independence. One significant step that they undertake to become independent and self-sufficient is that of living away from their parents.


Now, living away from parents is a hard decision. When you live away from your home you learn important lessons. Living in a place where you don’t have the support of your parents or loved ones teaches you important lessons about life, and it prepares you for an unforeseeable future. Also, sometimes in cases, like when you find a job in a different city or when you have to go abroad for completing your studies, staying away from the home becomes a necessity. However, whatever be the cause, it cannot be denied that staying away from the home is difficult. It is majorly because when you leave home you are forced to take care of your security and your eating habits. There is nobody to look after you.


Hence, for those of you who are about to stay away from their home, we have searched a solution, the share house. Now, living in a share house after you move away from your parents’ home may not seem very promising, but this option can certainly make the transition easier for adolescents. Now, if you are wondering how that works, then read our next section to find your answers!


Why is a share house a good accommodation option for living away from parents?

Living in a share house is an altogether different experience. There are so many things that you can learn when you live here, away from the protective shadow of your loved ones. Now, renting this place as a living space when you start living away from your parents is the best decision that you can make because of the following reasons.

● Share houses are secure spaces

When you are looking for shelter options, share houses should be your top-choice because these places are secure. It is so because of two reasons. First, the share houses in most places come equipped with alarm systems. So, because of this, the chances of anyone breaking into a share house reduce significantly.
Secondly, when living in a share house you share the home with many housemates. This acts as an added layer of security as there is an advantage to living in a group when compared to living alone. So, after moving out of the home if you realize that you are not so confident about your safety, then look for a share house as that is your safest option.

● Share houses are furnished spaces

When you newly move out of your home, you are trying to become independent and self-sufficient, but you usually do not have enough finances to support yourself. Also, at this stage, you are not used to living without any facilities, equipment, and furniture. Hence, at such times, the share house is a very good accommodation option as it comes equipped and well-furnished. Thus, living here saves you from a lot of trouble while also helping you in saving money. Thus, if you are staying away from your family and looking for a shelter, and you do not own much money, try renting a share house.

● They have broadband lines and internet connections

This pointer is specially meant for those people who have moved abroad in search of a job or for completion of their studies. Now, when you move to a new place the broadband lines and the internet connection is a must-have as it helps you in staying connected with your friends and family back home. This connection, in a broad sense, helps you in staying connected with the world, and it protects you from feeling alienated in a new country.
However, when you move to a new country, getting an internet connection, or setting up new broadband lines can be tough, and it can take time. In such circumstances, it is generally considered a wise move to rent a share house as these places have already up and running broadband lines and internet connection. Hence, living in a share house especially when you are a foreigner can help you in reducing your expenses, waiting time, and extra efforts.

● Share houses will enhance your eating habits

When you are living with your parents, you have your siblings, your mother, or someone else in your family fussing over your eating habits. In the home, someone is always cooking your favorite meal and asking you multiple times if you have had your meal or not. But when you move out to live independently, there is no one to check on you because of which many people fall into the habit of skipping meals. In this context too, living in a share house is beneficial because there you live in the company of housemates who might have good culinary skills. A lot of times, these people also teach you how to cook different cuisines. Also, when you are with other people, cooking and eating a healthy diet doesn’t seem like much effort.


Thus, because of these reasons, it can be ascertained that living in a share house is the best option after you have moved out of your parents’ place. Living in a share house teaches you to be independent while not making you suffer much. Hence, BORDERLESS HOUSE should be your first agenda when you are looking for a new shelter to move in.

 

>>Check the Share Houses in Taipei<<

>>6 Things About Living in Taiwan<<

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Working Holiday in Japan❘ Things you need to know

Hello, this is Ting from Borderless House. I’m from Taiwan and I came to Japan with a working holiday visa in 2007. It gave me a chance to explore Japan in-depth, have more adventures, and try more new things in different cities since I could stay for a maximum of one year with this program. For me, the best thing about this opportunity is to have the most freedom to figure out if I really want to live in Japan or not. So I would like to recommend it to those who have been thinking about moving to Japan and wanting to get a taste of Japan! So in this blog, I would like to briefly introduce Working Holiday in Japan and how to apply, as transitioning to a foreign country is not an easy task and you should prepare as much as possible! I also hope it would help you to figure out if a working holiday is right for you.

What is a Working Holiday?

The purpose of a Working Holiday in Japan is to foster cultural exchanges and promote mutual understanding between Japan and its partner countries/regions. The program is designed to provide the youth (must be under 30 years of age) with opportunities to appreciate the culture and general way of life. It allows the participants to live and work in Japan without a full-time job, a university or language school course, or any visa sponsor. Young people from various nationalities with a Working Holiday visa are allowed to be on vacation around Japan and also do a part-time job to cover some of their travel costs. The visa is valid for 1 year. And each individual can only participate in Working Holiday programs ONE time in life. Since the main purpose of doing a working holiday is to experience the culture and lifestyle in Japan, instead of doing paid work and earning money, people who participate in working holiday in Japan can also apply for temporary academic activities, voluntary work without pay or internship without pay. Just remember, this visa is specifically designed for you to have a lot of free time to travel around Japan, then to do some work to make money so you can travel more.

Who can apply for the working holiday visa in Japan? (Eligibility)

<Countries/Regions> Since 1980, Japan started working holiday programs, until now, Japan has introduced the programs with the 26 countries/regions in the world. As of 1st April 2020, citizens of the following countries and regions are eligible for a working holiday visa in Japan: Argentina/Australia/Austria/Canada/Czech Republic/Chile/Denmark/Estonia/France/Germany/Hong Kong/Hungary/Iceland/Ireland/ Korea/Lithuania/Netherlands/New Zealand/Norway/Poland/Portugal/Slovakia/Spain/Sweden/Taiwan/United Kingdom <Age> A working holiday visa is a special visa for young people between the age of 18 and 30, both inclusive at the time of application for the visa. However, for Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Korea, an applicant should be between 18 and 25 years of age except in those cases where the competent authorities of Japan agree to extend the limitation of age to 30 years. As for Iceland, the applicant should be between 18 and 26 years of age.

How to prepare for a Working Holiday in Japan?

To prepare for a Working Holiday visa, there are 2 most important parts of the processes which are gathering all the required documents and sending your application to the he Japanese Embassy, and then settling in: ①Application/Paperworks The first step is to fill out the Visa Application Form which includes your basic information, such as nationality, age, and passport details. There is also a section with yes or no questions about your legal and criminal past, which means you must have a clean criminal record to participate in the working holiday visa program. A passport-style photo which was taken within six months to the application is also required. You are also required to submit a proposed itinerary and outline of the intended activities. As I mentioned – the main purpose of the Working Holiday for you should be experiencing the country, so the Japanese government wants you to go to every corner of its beautiful country, and that’s basically what you need to write about on your proposed itinerary. You can demonstrate some detailed travel plans to show you’ve done the research and you’re well planned. But of course, this is flexible and you can always change your plans afterward when you get to Japan. They’d love to see you are not just visiting the capital or tourism spots, but planning to visit multiple prefectures instead. ②Housing After you get the visa and you are ready to go to Japan, the next thing you may be concerned about is probably housing. And I would recommend starting out living at a share house for sure since living in a share house gives you chances to meet many people from all over the world, it helps you to get advice and support from others and immerse yourself in the local culture and make local friends. It may bring you some good changes in your plan in Japan! And you don’t need a guarantor to rent a room at a share house. Moreover, the minimum stay at share houses is usually one month, which is about a good amount of time to explore a city. It’s also easier to cancel or extend the contract, that can keep the flexibility of your plan! On top of that, the shared house is fully furnished, so you can basically just move in with a suitcase. So I believe staying at a shared house is the best choice for when you first get to Japan and still sorting things out! Check share houses in Tokyo Check share houses in Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe ③Other necessary preparations -Money: For the application, you are required to prove you have sufficient funds in the bank to pay for your stay in Japan (around $3,000). But Japan is considered to be one of the most expensive countries in the world, especially a big city like Tokyo, so you usually will need to prepare more than that if you don’t plan to get a job and start to work right after you arrive in Japan. Depends on each person, you can check this blog for your reference about the cost of living in Japan. -Insurance: One of the mandatory things that you have to do before your arrival in Japan is to subscribe to the national health insurance plan. -Internet: You will have Wifi at home if you choose to stay at a shared house, and there is Wifi access at the convenience stores, train stations, and most cafes and restaurants as well. Another handy option is a Pocket WiFi, which is usually charged with monthly payment, which is more flexible. And you can also check out some SIM card options at BIC Camera or Yodobashi Camera, there are many plan options designed for foreigners with a lower cost. Or you can check this mobile service for foreigners.

Staying in Japan after Working Holiday

If you are enjoying your life too much in Japan and you intend to stay longer in Japan rather than going back home, converting to a standard working visa is possible! But you will need a company willing to sponsor you so you can get a work visa that allows you to stay for extra 1,3 or 5 years! So if you are interested in getting a regular working visa after your working holiday visa ends, feel free check our 【Ē・SHOKU・JŪ 】Housing & Career Support Program that helps you to land your dream job in Japan and stay for a longer period in Japan! If you love Japan and would like to spend more time in the country to experience the culture, learn the language, or you’d just simply love to have more adventures in Japan, a working holiday program could be the best option for you! Especially if your country is one of the partner countries with Japan, you should seize the opportunity! Best of all, applying for the working holiday program is entirely free! If you meet the above criteria, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t apply. This could be a life-changing step for you 🙂
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【Tenant’s Interview】Changes in myself while living in Borderless House

Hello, this is Ayako from Borderless House!
Summer has just come here in Seoul. How are you doing?

This time, I talked with Euihyun about the living in share house and how she changed there. If you are you considering about moving into Borderless House, this interview must help you!

Also, if you are interested in learning languages, living abroad or having international experience, you must enjoy reading 🙂

Let’s get start it!

What were you doing before moving to Borderless House?

After I graduated from university, I was working but I quit after 1 year and then I went back to my parent’s home.  I was struggling with my future. I was willing to live abroad or work abroad but I was not sure if I really could do it.  And if I want to live or work abroad, I need to practice English in daily life so I had been thinking this kind of things. 

What made you decide to move to Borderless House?

I was not sure which way I should go but I was sure about the things that I need to do, which is to have a similar experience to the one I was dreaming.

“Let’s live in an English-speaking environment. It must be like paying the cost for English academy and accommodation altogether reasonably!” So I chose this International Share House, Borderless House.

How was the result?

I could get used to living there only after one day! (haha) I just spent every single day normally and I suddenly found myself like I was changing and growing up a lot. I can tell you these three things. 

Firstly, I could choose the room which matched with all of my preferences

For me, it was important to have a shared space and personal space both. The house I chose met this condition so this was the first reason I chose here.

The house I chose is Chungjeongno1 House and it has the most active community so I thought I could have many opportunities to speak English with housemates.  

I also wanted to live in a spacious room so I chose a double room.
I was planning to decide if I live longer or not after I live for a month and the minimum staying period in Borderless House was 1 month so it was also an advantage compared to the other share house companies. 

I could made a choice, considering where and how to live and my own standards and conditions. Then my independent life started.

 (With my roommate, Jessica)

Secondly, I was able to experience the future life indirectly.

Although it was a vague goal, I knew that going abroad is a choice which I have to spend a lot of cost, time and energy. Also I will be separated from family and friends.

I thought living in Borderless House would become an opportunity to judge whether I could challenge abroad.

While living there, I realized that I really like English. Whenever I have time, I chose to talk with foreign friends even though there were some Korean friends. Of course speaking in English is not easy but at the moment I learned and it was fun to share my opinions with friends from other countries. I realized that English (language) is a tool, a way to open new doors.

(Dinner with my housemates)

Thirdly, my view of life and possibilities for my life have broadened

I was thinking that it was very difficult to study and work abroad. However after I lived at Borderless House, I realized that “It might not be so difficult to live in other countries. Just as I can choose to live in Korea, this is also the thing I can choose.”

While living in an international exchange share house, I realized that I had strong desires to speak English well and to live in various places. So I started to believe in myself more.

Do you have anything you would like to tell those who are considering moving into Borderless House?

You can see this sentence on the Borderless House web page.
‘Living in International exchange Share House, step to the world.’
Maybe it sounds a little bit abstract.

However,  if you have even small interest in using English and living in an international environment, you can ask yourself about it. What is the international exchange destination for you?

In my case, I could get the answer after I decided to live in an international exchange share house. The daily life in international environment always gave me some questions and I kept thinking about the answers and then I could reach to my own answers.

To get a mutual understanding by talking or discussing in English.
To get a confidence that I can live abroad out of Korea.
To get to know that there are something that I can do even in other countries.
To have friends abroad and feel the friends’ countries very close

These are the definition of what is international for me.

If you have the ability you want, put yourself into an environment where you can practice it. I can confidently tell you that you will have your own international meaning, even if you cannot guarantee what experience you will experience!

Thank you for those kind words. Thank you for today 🙂

Today, I always worry or think about friends from all over the world.
Actually we had a conversation via Skype with my previous housemates a few days ago. The color of the sky in each screen was different. It was 11pm in Korea but it was at 10am in the United States, and 4pm in Switzerland. However, we were glad to see one screen and said hello each other. Someday I will visit their countries to meet them in person. And I will tell them like this.

“Hey! I came near your house! come out! Let’s eat dinner! “

 

 

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【Language Learning】A Note on Language Fluency

Hi all, it’s Claire from Borderless House. I’d like to use this blog to discuss some thoughts I had recently about the process of learning and using a language and also how we define language fluency. I’ve had a lot of time to think about language learning during my time as an illiterate foreigner in Japan, and how this has impacted my own experiences living here and making local friends. I’ve previously spoken a bit more in-depth about how I became interested in Japan/Japanese and my language background in a prior blog, so please feel free to check that out as well!

What is your language-learning goal?

OK, let’s get started with one of the most important language-learning points: Be sure to define your end goal and purpose.

In order to best know how to study a foreign language (and when to stop… although does it really ever stop???), I think it is important to understand what your end goal is. Needless to say, academic/formal language and colloquial language are not the same and they are learned in two very different contexts. Recently, I had a conversation with my Japanese friend which reminded me that in order to have deep relationships, engagements, and conversations in Japan, you do not necessarily need to be an N1 or N2 level Japanese master. In fact, a lot of my Japanese friends have admitted that they themselves would have difficulty passing these standardized tests. Just the same, I would likely make a fool of myself if I took the TOEFL.

Colloquial Usage

A few nights ago over dinner, my Japanese friend randomly complimented my Japanese saying, “Claire, your Japanese has gotten really good! クレア、日本語めっちゃ上手になったね！” For a lot of foreigners, with even just minimal Japanese language background, this kind of phrase or statement is all too familiar. The response is also just as scripted: “No, no it’s not that good! I still have a long way to go/I still need to study a lot! いいえいいえ、まだまだです！もっと勉強しないといけないんです。”

During this specific exchange, I suddenly felt the need to further justify my lack of Japanese language confidence. Truthfully, I already am embarrassed enough by my illiteracy, which should have provided enough justification alone. I explained that although my pronunciation may be decent, the grammar structures and words that I use to communicate are very elementary and simple, as I only have one year of basic in-class Japanese instruction from which I can pull from. My friend was not not convinced by my self-doubt: “And….? で、、、？”

The point which he wanted to make was that regardless of how I feel about my own language ability, in his own opinion, I am able to properly and articulately express myself.

Truly, if you think about your own native language, the words and grammar structures you use with your friends on a daily basis are not really that complicated or sophisticated! It would be strange if we always spoke formally and academically to each other… For my fellow American friends, it would be weird if someone tried to use as many SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test; American standardized college-entrance exam) words as possible in each sentence, right? The same logic applies to any other language. The goal of daily communication with friends is to convey ideas, stories, and feelings in your own words; it doesn’t need to sound like a well-formulated speech or essay. Of course, there are other more formal situations in which word choice and difficulty are of great importance however, when in a relaxed setting with friends, the poise and complexity of words and grammar is arguably not as important.

With my own goal to be able to communicate easily with friends, I realized that rather than getting frustrated that I cannot (yet) pass an upper-level language exam, I should be satisfied with the fact that I know enough common phrases and expressions to successfully share ideas, stories, and emotions with others. Clearly, the more I engage in conversation with others, the more I will be able to naturally pick up on new words and concepts. Consequently, I will then have a larger variety of ways in which I can express myself and will be able to let my personality shine through a bit more. A fear of sounding “childish” or “unrefined” should never hold me back from speaking- if you can use the language skills you have to successfully communicate your point, then you’re doing just fine.

Looking back to when I first came to Japan at 15, I couldn’t speak any Japanese and the most frustrating thing was feeling as if I couldn’t accurately portray my personality through language and word choice. Certainly, at that time my language ability held me back from being able to do so properly. As I have continued to learn Japanese and spend time here, my Japanese friends have slowly gotten to know my personality, and despite still generally relying on simple grammar and simple words, I feel that I am able to adequately express myself. I’m no longer frustrated. To me, that is what is most important!

Academic Usage

On the other hand, there is an important side to languages that is more formal and academic in nature which requires knowledge of more refined and varied grammar and vocabulary. This kind of language learning is a different way of communicating than with friends and emphasizes the way in which things are being communicated rather than just the general content of what is being said. I have always been jealous of my friends who are able to carefully pick out the deeper historical meaning of a word by dissecting the kanji characters and linguistic roots. I envy the way in which they have so many different ways of expressing themselves. I would, however, like to point out that this jealousy still has not motivated me to pick up a book and actually do some studying of my own (lol).

This kind of academic language is especially useful when making a speech, writing an article, conducting an academic discussion, etc. Or also when writing a blog, I suppose! It is quite handy to have your brain work like a thesaurus, armed with many different words that can convey a similar meaning, but with different undertones and nuances. As opposed to colloquial language, which is carried out naturally and without pause, academic language takes a bit more time, though, and brainpower. There are a lot more memorization and a lot more studying that is required to reach this kind of fluency and language usage.

Even for an illiterate colloquial Japanese speaker like myself, I have had to delve into the world of complex Japanese linguistics while doing my work as a hospital research assistant. Working on psychology and psychiatry studies, I have been asked by supervisors to translate questionnaires from English to Japanese, forcing me to think deeply about the specific contextual meaning that each word carries. In order to translate these questionnaires accurately, I had to meet with my professors and use my rudimentary Japanese to describe the emotions and feelings which differentiate the word “force” from “coerce” so that we could also decide upon the proper Japanese word. Given that the questionnaires are surrounding psychiatric populations, a single word or grammatical difference in a question or statement can change a patient’s response entirely.

Usually, this kind of linguistic ability is what is reflected in the JLPT tests. You will have an opportunity to show off your hard work on learning kanji, vocabulary, and gradually more complex grammar structures. It goes without saying that academic language is widely useful and as well as an incredible feat to master!

Reflecting on Fluency

When you look up the definition of the word fluency, this is the definition that pops up: “able to express oneself easily and articulately.” When someone directly asks me “Are you fluent in Japanese?”, my immediate response has always been no. I cannot understand complex vocabulary, I struggle to perfectly deliver sentences in Keigo, and I most importantly simply lack confidence in my own ability. Going by the “easy and articulate” definition of fluency, I would say that indeed I am not fluent when working in my research environment. I also am far from fluent in written Japanese… FAR from it.

However, when I give myself a little more grace, I do believe that I am able to express myself properly enough when having everyday conversations with my friends. My conversations are easy and I am able to articulate myself well enough that I do not feel the same frustration I did when I first landed in Japan at 15 years old. Maybe there is no need for me to vehemently refute the compliments I receive from my Japanese friends. Even if I am not quite yet comfortable with considering myself “fluent,” I think that we need to erase the image that language fluency requires you to become a living dictionary or thesaurus.

If I could go back in time to that dinner a few nights ago, I think I would change my response.

“Thank you, I’m really happy to hear that! I’ll continue to work hard! ありがとう。それを聞いて、すごく嬉しいんだ。これからもっともっと頑張ります！”

▶Check BORDERLESS HOUSE language exchange program 
▶Learn Japanese by living with Japanese local at BORDERLESS HOUSE
▶Tips and Advice from the Experts : Learning Languages from Home Q&A

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【Tenant’s Story】Sharing times together as a big “family” is the best cure for loneliness during quarantine

I’m Danielle and I’ve been living in Borderless House in Kyoto since January of this year. It’s been a month since the state of emergency has officially been lifted from most of Japan and life seems to almost have gone back to what it was like before COVID-19, but concerns and fears still loom over us as the pandemic is still active and borders are still (mostly) closed.

It must be hard or nearly impossible to imagine what life is like in a sharehouse during the pandemic, maybe even scary to think that 10-20 people all live under the same roof. How do we keep safe, what measures did we take and what did our daily life look like? Here’s my story from our sharehouse!

Every day was a different kind of interesting and fun experience

The Nationwide State of Emergency was declared mid-April and with it, we were requested to stay home. Right before the declaration, we planned on traveling together but all these plans were ultimately canceled as the situation grew worse and were instead replaced by events and “parties” mostly inside the house. There were only very few times we went outside and we did our best to keep the social distance.

The house mostly consists of students who had their classes moved online or canceled completely, and all of us became “hermits”. Some of us had our daily routine reduced to sitting in front of the computer all day and occasionally going out to the supermarket or the close convenience store. More and more, we would spend time together in the kitchen cooking together, sharing a meal, and talking about daily struggles and aspirations for “after this is all over”. The living room became lively with daily tourneys of “Smash Brothers” on the Switch or a quiet study session. Every now and then we had a different type of food “party”. And sometimes there would be quieter days where everyone’s in their rooms: studying, job hunting, or working. Every day was a different kind of interesting and fun experience.

Of course, we tried our best and took the measures we deemed necessary to protect ourselves as much as possible: everyone who leaves the house wore a mask, outside and in the house, or made sure to reduce direct interaction with those who are always in the house, we had (and still have) an alcohol dispenser we use frequently especially while in the kitchen, and of course, we make sure to air out the house and wash our hands often. Those of us who felt these measures weren’t enough simply stuck more to their rooms and avoided the crowded spaces, also keeping the recommended social distance.

That’s not to say that there wasn’t tension between housemates due to the situation and our decisions, so we ended up sitting down and sharing our difference in opinions, personal suggestions, and decided our own house guidelines. We came to the conclusion that “canceling having fun” is not necessary and will not guarantee our safety in such a big house, and those who are worried should take the extra measures they see right for themselves.

Looking back, that was the best decision, sharing these isolated times together as a big “family” is the best cure for loneliness so many people must have felt during quarantine, I’m glad I have people I shared those times with!

Share time together at “cleaning parties”



One of the bigger struggles for the house was when the toilet paper panic happened. In a house with 15+ people who due to the situation are all always staying at home, one pack of toilet paper wouldn’t last even half a week. Luckily, as we’re all from different nationalities, we could easily buy more than one pack of toilet paper even when there was a restriction of one-per-household. Alongside the toilet paper shortage, there was also the mask shortage so for a while some of us walked without masks (we really searched for them everywhere!) until one of our kind housemates sewed everyone their own washable trendy masks!

Another thing we did both to keep the house clean and to share time together is “cleaning parties”. Usually, we have the essential cleaning duties each member must do every week, but once in a while we’d gather everyone who’s free and host a cleaning event – we clean all the areas of the house in-depth to make sure we live in a hygienic and healthy environment as we’re always home.

Don’t forget: fun is not canceled!

One way to go out but also to avoid the crowds is to go out into nature, where there are almost no people and a lot of fresh clean air. That’s why whenever we wanted to go out to experience Kyoto and take a breather from the narrow walls of our house, we would go to places like Kiyotaki River, or Katsura River (close to Arashiyama) which were almost empty of people.

In these times of uncertainty and worry, the housemates were all actively sharing their knowledge and information from their respective countries and all of us were open to discussion. We would compare the different strategies of our countries to handling the situation and share bizarre stories that the situation caused in different places. Thanks to the flow of information we were able to have proportions on the situation but also be aware of the dangers. Most importantly, we are grateful that in such dire times when some people are forced into isolation we were able to spend time with so many people and realize that we’re not alone.

Life in a sharehouse ultimately didn’t put us under more risk, it helped us stay strong and know that we’re not alone. These times at home made us realize how much more time we have for ourselves and others when we do our work or classes from home but also how important it is to have something that will keep you busy: a job, a project, a hobby, or even just company. During this time, I learned to appreciate my time with others but also my time alone, I picked up new hobbies and read more, I learned to appreciate the outside and just taking a stroll down our quiet neighborhood felt like a breath of fresh air. I learned new things about Japan, other cultures, and myself. All of this and more was thanks to the sharehouse. These past months were a blur, but it’s a blur of good memories with people I grew to love and care about for the rest of my life.

Stay safe everyone and don’t forget: fun is not canceled!

 

 

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Living At A Share House Opens Doors To The Local Culture And Community

Moving to another country is a big step in anyone’s life. It can be stressful to think about find accommodation, work, friends in a foreign country, and mix in the lifestyle there.

Many foreigners who move to another country, prefer to live with people to avoid getting lonely. Sharing an apartment with flatmates is also comparatively cheaper than renting a studio apartment by themselves. However, when moving to another country, it can be difficult to find people who are willing to co-rent an apartment.

Fortunately, countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan offer share houses, to ensure the comfort of the moving foreigners. They are suitable accommodation for people that wish to co-rent a space and want to save money on buying furniture and appliances.

Share houses are rental places with private rooms and shared spaces like the kitchen and dining area. People from different backgrounds live together at a share house and learn from each other. Share houses are quite popular amongst young people with a penchant for exploring the new and exciting.

Local Friends And Acquaintances

In some countries, people are apprehensive when talking to foreigners and are less likely to be polite or helpful. It can be difficult to become friends with the local people in such a country. Sometimes the only friends and acquaintances that a foreigner makes are people from work. A limited social life and a feeling of not belonging can leave you frustrated and sad.

When living at a share house, you get an opportunity to interact with both non-citizen residents or expats and the local people of the country. You will be meeting these people in the shared spaces of the house like home theatre, living room, kitchen, etc. and are likely to become friends if you have similar personalities or interests. This is how you can end up making friends in the local community.

Being friends with locals can expose you to the local culture and community. They will open doors to freely explore the country during your stay.

Local Customs And Basic Communication

One reason why the locals are apprehensive of foreigners is that they feel that their customs are misunderstood and disrespected by those who don’t share them. When you live with the locals or become friends with them, you can observe their customs and learn them. The way that the locals speak, greet, and the topics that interest them vary from country to country. From your local housemates, you can learn these customs and communicate efficiently.

You will also be able to learn their table manners and eating etiquette. Whenever visiting a restaurant or eating lunch with colleges, you will be able to earn bonus points for following local etiquettes and can prevent feeling like you don’t fit.

For example, In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. It can either be a small nod or a deep bend. Greeting with a deep bow, it is seen as a sign of respect.

Similarly, in Taiwan, you are expected to sit with your hands on the front or in your lap, as opposed to spreading them and taking up space. Spreading your legs while sitting somewhere and obstructing the way is also considered impolite by the people.

Festivals And Seasonal Events

The festivals and seasonal events celebrated in various countries are different, even New Year is celebrated differently in most countries.

Festivals and seasonal events are epitomes of cultural activities, food, clothing, entertainment. It is a privilege to experience cultural gatherings of communities on their celebrated occasions.

For example, Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and Biennial Butterfly Beauty Festival are two festivals that can only be witnessed in Taiwan. Similarly, Seollal or Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok are very enthusiastically celebrated in South Korea.

When sharing a house with locals, you can ask them to let you accompany them to festivals and events. You can ask them about the activities conducted and why people celebrate a particular festival. It will not only increase your general knowledge of the place and help you feel included but will also open your eyes to a world you had never known before.

And who knows, maybe some of your housemates will invite you home, to experience celebrating the festival the local way with their families.

Local Foods

Countries with rich culinary histories have given some recipe or dish to the global food market, that is obsessed over by many. The Chinese have the credit for noodles and dumplings, the Mexicans have their tacos, the Americans eat hamburgers, the Japenese have given the world Sushi, and the South Koreans have made Kimchi and Bulgogi famous. However, are these the meals that the local Mexican, American, or Japanese people consume every day? No, they are not.

While these foods are popular, they are not what the locals eat daily. For example, when moving to Japan, you will find many restaurants that serve multiple types of Sushi. But when you live with a Japanese local, you will be able to eat ramen, gyudon beef bowls, dashi soup stock, fish, and rice cake, amongst other local dishes. Similarly, A local in Taiwan will be able to introduce you to Zong Zi, Oyster Omelet, Minced Pork, etc.

Living with local people will enable you to observe and experience their eating habits. Every culture has some easy to make soul food or some traditional dish that is not sold at restaurants and diners.

When a local housemate at your share house cooks their traditional food, it will be culturally authentic and not modified to make it five-star. It will taste like home and is the best way to expose yourself to the local way of living.

Local Language

In some countries, it can be difficult to make friends and navigate around the city if you do not know the local language. In some countries, the names of shops, lanes, and train stations are often written in the local language. You can learn how to reach from office to home and from home to office and can interact with most people in English, but if you need to visit the local clinic or shop, you will find it difficult to communicate your needs. There can be misunderstanding and confusion when trying to understand each other.

At such a time, having a local friend or housemate can be a blessing. Not only can they accompany you for your doctor’s appointment, but they can also help you learn how to write, read, and speak the local language if you plan to stay in the country for longer.

When someone in the group is unable to understand the local language, people often unintentionally end up excluding them from the conversation. Foreigners experience such situations in countries like Japan, China, Taiwan, India, and South Korea. For example, people in these countries prefer to speak in Japanese, Mandarin, Taiwanese Mandarin, Hindi, and Korean. Someone who doesn’t the local language may feel different and left out.

Regular conversations with native speakers of a language are the best way to get fluent in speaking a language. In no time, you will be able to understand the talk between your local colleagues and reply to them, if you are sharing the house with a native speaker.

Deeper Understanding Of National Character And Values

It is easier to learn the customs and language of a country, but quite challenging to understand their values, perspectives, and lifestyle. The way of living in the West and the East are very different. While individualism and independence are cherished in the West, in the East local communities are valued more. Whereas, in the Asian Continent, many countries are passionate about family values, culture, and religious beliefs.

Understanding the culture and perspective of local people is very essential to understanding their lifestyle and priorities. When living at a share house with the local people, you will be able to get a better idea of the local values. Do people respect the elderly? Are patience and punctuality considered essential virtues in the country? Do people often discuss the climate, is it associated with certain traditional myths? When living with a local person, you will learn a lot about the way of thinking of the locals of the country.

This will make it easier for you to converse with them. You will also be able to understand them instead of judging the way they live. This will make you a better human and will enhance your personality.

Local Information

Every country has some areas most visited by the locals. They serve the best local dishes and provide cheap shopping opportunities in such areas. With local friends from your share house by your side, you will be able to take your sightseeing and exploring to the next level. You can avoid tourist destinations and activities and live the way locals do.

If you’re moving to Japan, Taiwan, or South Korea and wish to move into a share house, you can reach out to us at BORDERLESS HOUSE. At share houses by BORDERLESS HOUSE, we have an equal ratio of foreigners and local housemates, to ensure that the foreigners are exposed to the local culture and community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

Living At A Share House Opens Doors To The Local Culture And Community

Moving to another country is a big step in anyone’s life. It can be stressful to think about find accommodation, work, friends in a foreign country, and mix in the lifestyle there.

Many foreigners who move to another country, prefer to live with people to avoid getting lonely. Sharing an apartment with flatmates is also comparatively cheaper than renting a studio apartment by themselves. However, when moving to another country, it can be difficult to find people who are willing to co-rent an apartment.

Fortunately, countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan offer share houses, to ensure the comfort of the moving foreigners. They are suitable accommodation for people that wish to co-rent a space and want to save money on buying furniture and appliances.

Share houses are rental places with private rooms and shared spaces like the kitchen and dining area. People from different backgrounds live together at a share house and learn from each other. Share houses are quite popular amongst young people with a penchant for exploring the new and exciting.

Local Friends And Acquaintances

In some countries, people are apprehensive when talking to foreigners and are less likely to be polite or helpful. It can be difficult to become friends with the local people in such a country. Sometimes the only friends and acquaintances that a foreigner makes are people from work. A limited social life and a feeling of not belonging can leave you frustrated and sad.

When living at a share house, you get an opportunity to interact with both non-citizen residents or expats and the local people of the country. You will be meeting these people in the shared spaces of the house like home theatre, living room, kitchen, etc. and are likely to become friends if you have similar personalities or interests. This is how you can end up making friends in the local community.

Being friends with locals can expose you to the local culture and community. They will open doors to freely explore the country during your stay.

Local Customs And Basic Communication

One reason why the locals are apprehensive of foreigners is that they feel that their customs are misunderstood and disrespected by those who don’t share them. When you live with the locals or become friends with them, you can observe their customs and learn them. The way that the locals speak, greet, and the topics that interest them vary from country to country. From your local housemates, you can learn these customs and communicate efficiently.

You will also be able to learn their table manners and eating etiquette. Whenever visiting a restaurant or eating lunch with colleges, you will be able to earn bonus points for following local etiquettes and can prevent feeling like you don’t fit.

For example, In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. It can either be a small nod or a deep bend. Greeting with a deep bow, it is seen as a sign of respect.

Similarly, in Taiwan, you are expected to sit with your hands on the front or in your lap, as opposed to spreading them and taking up space. Spreading your legs while sitting somewhere and obstructing the way is also considered impolite by the people.

Festivals And Seasonal Events

The festivals and seasonal events celebrated in various countries are different, even New Year is celebrated differently in most countries.

Festivals and seasonal events are epitomes of cultural activities, food, clothing, entertainment. It is a privilege to experience cultural gatherings of communities on their celebrated occasions.

For example, Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and Biennial Butterfly Beauty Festival are two festivals that can only be witnessed in Taiwan. Similarly, Seollal or Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok are very enthusiastically celebrated in South Korea.

When sharing a house with locals, you can ask them to let you accompany them to festivals and events. You can ask them about the activities conducted and why people celebrate a particular festival. It will not only increase your general knowledge of the place and help you feel included but will also open your eyes to a world you had never known before.

And who knows, maybe some of your housemates will invite you home, to experience celebrating the festival the local way with their families.

Local Foods

Countries with rich culinary histories have given some recipe or dish to the global food market, that is obsessed over by many. The Chinese have the credit for noodles and dumplings, the Mexicans have their tacos, the Americans eat hamburgers, the Japenese have given the world Sushi, and the South Koreans have made Kimchi and Bulgogi famous. However, are these the meals that the local Mexican, American, or Japanese people consume every day? No, they are not.

While these foods are popular, they are not what the locals eat daily. For example, when moving to Japan, you will find many restaurants that serve multiple types of Sushi. But when you live with a Japanese local, you will be able to eat ramen, gyudon beef bowls, dashi soup stock, fish, and rice cake, amongst other local dishes. Similarly, A local in Taiwan will be able to introduce you to Zong Zi, Oyster Omelet, Minced Pork, etc.

Living with local people will enable you to observe and experience their eating habits. Every culture has some easy to make soul food or some traditional dish that is not sold at restaurants and diners.

When a local housemate at your share house cooks their traditional food, it will be culturally authentic and not modified to make it five-star. It will taste like home and is the best way to expose yourself to the local way of living.

Local Language

In some countries, it can be difficult to make friends and navigate around the city if you do not know the local language. In some countries, the names of shops, lanes, and train stations are often written in the local language. You can learn how to reach from office to home and from home to office and can interact with most people in English, but if you need to visit the local clinic or shop, you will find it difficult to communicate your needs. There can be misunderstanding and confusion when trying to understand each other.

At such a time, having a local friend or housemate can be a blessing. Not only can they accompany you for your doctor’s appointment, but they can also help you learn how to write, read, and speak the local language if you plan to stay in the country for longer.

When someone in the group is unable to understand the local language, people often unintentionally end up excluding them from the conversation. Foreigners experience such situations in countries like Japan, China, Taiwan, India, and South Korea. For example, people in these countries prefer to speak in Japanese, Mandarin, Taiwanese Mandarin, Hindi, and Korean. Someone who doesn’t the local language may feel different and left out.

Regular conversations with native speakers of a language are the best way to get fluent in speaking a language. In no time, you will be able to understand the talk between your local colleagues and reply to them, if you are sharing the house with a native speaker.

Deeper Understanding Of National Character And Values

It is easier to learn the customs and language of a country, but quite challenging to understand their values, perspectives, and lifestyle. The way of living in the West and the East are very different. While individualism and independence are cherished in the West, in the East local communities are valued more. Whereas, in the Asian Continent, many countries are passionate about family values, culture, and religious beliefs.

Understanding the culture and perspective of local people is very essential to understanding their lifestyle and priorities. When living at a share house with the local people, you will be able to get a better idea of the local values. Do people respect the elderly? Are patience and punctuality considered essential virtues in the country? Do people often discuss the climate, is it associated with certain traditional myths? When living with a local person, you will learn a lot about the way of thinking of the locals of the country.

This will make it easier for you to converse with them. You will also be able to understand them instead of judging the way they live. This will make you a better human and will enhance your personality.

Local Information

Every country has some areas most visited by the locals. They serve the best local dishes and provide cheap shopping opportunities in such areas. With local friends from your share house by your side, you will be able to take your sightseeing and exploring to the next level. You can avoid tourist destinations and activities and live the way locals do.

If you’re moving to Japan, Taiwan, or South Korea and wish to move into a share house, you can reach out to us at BORDERLESS HOUSE. At share houses by BORDERLESS HOUSE, we have an equal ratio of foreigners and local housemates, to ensure that the foreigners are exposed to the local culture and community.