Many of you may be considering international exchange to study languages ​​or expand your horizons.
Interacting with people who have different cultures and values ​​is a valuable experience.

Some share houses allow foreigners to live.
If you live in a property like this, living in a share house will become a place for international exchange.

In this article, we will explain the appeal of "share house x international exchange", so if you are thinking about international exchange, please read this article.
If you are looking for a share house, please contact us on LINE.

What does “international exchange” mean in a share house?

Some share houses accept foreigners who come to Japan for study abroad, working holidays, business, etc.

If you live in such a property, you can live with foreigners and have international exchange while learning the culture and language of another country.
A share house is characterized by the fact that you have more time to interact with foreigners than at international exchange events or traveling abroad, so you can have a high level of international exchange.

How to find a share house where you can have international exchange

Of course, not all share houses allow for international exchange.

When looking for a share house where you can have international exchange, please try the following methods.

How to find a share house where you can interact internationally with foreigners

• Search using keywords such as “share house for international students” and “share house for foreigners OK”


• Search mainly in the metropolitan area/metropolitan area


• Contact the operating company

There are also share houses that are based on different concepts, so one way is to search from that perspective.
If you find a share house with concepts such as "welcome international students" or "domestic study abroad", why not contact the management company?
If you are looking for a share house, please contact us on LINE.

Three benefits of international exchange in a share house

Here, we will tell you about the benefits of international exchange in a share house.

➀Enable “live” international exchange

International exchange can occur online or on short trips abroad, but since the time spent together is short, interactions tend to be superficial.

However, if you live with foreigners in a share house, you will be able to experience their unpretentious values ​​and culture.
In this way, living in a share house can be called "domestic study abroad," as it allows for international exchange similar to a homestay or long-term study abroad experience.

②Costs can be reduced

Another big advantage of living in a share house and promoting international exchange is that you can keep your expenses down.

If you try to promote international exchange through studying abroad or traveling, you will incur various expenses such as travel expenses and accommodation expenses.

With a share house, you can live with foreigners while staying in Japan, so there is no need for such expenses.
Compared to living in a condominium or apartment, the rent and living expenses are lower, so your financial burden is reduced.

③ Expanding network of connections all over the world

Another great benefit of international exchange in a share house is that you can expand your network around the world.

Living in a share house brings you closer to the foreigners you live with, and often develops close relationships.
In fact, there are many people who continue to have close friendships across the ocean even after they move out of the share house or return to Japan.

In this way, living with foreigners in a share house is not only a temporary international exchange, but also an opportunity to expand your network of friends around the world.
If you are looking for a share house, please contact us on LINE.

Three disadvantages of international exchange in a share house

There are some things to keep in mind when engaging in international exchange in a share house.
It is important to understand in advance what disadvantages there are.

➀You may be confused by the difference in values

When interacting internationally in a share house, keep in mind that you may be troubled by differences in culture and ways of thinking.

Below are some examples of common problems when living with foreigners.

Common problems when living together with foreigners

• Bring a friend or lover to a share house


• make noise late at night


• The sound of walking is noisy


• I have party


• Not washing the dishes or clearing the table


• Toilet door left open

In international exchange, there are often cases where the manners and common sense that are commonplace in Japan do not apply.
Therefore, there may be times when you are confused by the other person's unexpected behavior or behavior.

At XROSS HOUSE, we have set common rules so that everyone can live comfortably in a share house.

For example, you cannot invite third parties to your property, even if they are friends or lovers.
In addition, the use of noisy machines such as washing machines and dryers is prohibited late at night.
Of course, any unreasonable noise or parties in common areas are prohibited.
If you are looking for a share house, please contact us on LINE.

②There is a language barrier

There are also concerns that a language barrier may stand between residents.

In particular, when a problem occurs and both parties become emotional, communication becomes more difficult and it takes longer to resolve the problem.
If you cannot speak a foreign language such as English, you may have a hard time in these cases.

XROSS HOUSE is available in 8 languages, and even if residents are unable to communicate with each other, they can consult the customer center and we will inform them of the rules and alert them.

③ Your wishes regarding the culture and language of the country you wish to study may not come true.

Even if you move into a share house thinking, ``I want to interact with people from this country!'', your wishes may not necessarily come true.

Share houses that accept foreigners attract foreigners from various countries and regions around the world, but the breakdown of the countries of origin of the residents varies from time to time.
Therefore, there is a possibility that foreigners from the country concerned may not be living in the shared house.
For example, if you want to learn about French culture, but there are no French people living in the shared house.

If you have particular preferences such as ``I want to learn XX language'' or ``I want to know about this country's culture,'' it would be a good idea to check the occupancy status of the share house before moving in.
If you are looking for a share house, please contact us on LINE.

Tips for successful international exchange

Lastly, I would like to share with you the essence of how to facilitate international exchange in a share house.
When living with foreigners, please keep the following points in mind.

Tips for getting along well with foreigners

• throw away fixed ideas


• Do not deny the culture and values ​​of the other person or their country.


• call someone by their first name


• actively speak out


• Get help with any problems you may have in Japan


• Study the culture and language of the other country


• teach Japanese

In international exchange, it is important to understand and respect the other person's values, without making assumptions such as ``this is the correct manners'' or ``this way of thinking is wrong.''
Also, if you put yourself in the shoes of a foreigner living in a foreign land like Japan and offer advice and support, you will be able to grow closer to the other person.

Don't forget that there are many other foreigners who want to learn Japanese and Japanese culture, just like people who live in a share house with the purpose of learning foreign culture and language. yeah.
It is important to understand this point and be considerate in teaching Japanese language and culture.
If you are looking for a share house, please contact us on LINE.

Enjoy live international exchange in a share house

What did you think.

In this article, we explained the benefits of enjoying international exchange in a share house and points to keep in mind when living with foreigners.

If you choose a share house that accepts foreigners, you can enjoy international exchange as if you were studying abroad while staying in Japan.
International exchange in a share house has the advantages of lower costs and the ability to expand your network around the world.

XROSS HOUSE Co., Ltd. operates a large number of share houses mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
We also have properties that accept foreigners, so if you are interested, please feel free to contact us.
If you are looking for a share house, please contact us on LINE.