Why Did I Apply?

Before moving into the International Student Shared House, I participated in an exchange program in Thailand. During my stay there, I lived in a student dormitory where Thai students helped me adjust to life in a new country. Thanks to their support, I was able to fully enjoy my study abroad experience. This inspired me to apply for the Share House, as I wanted to be the one to support international students coming to Okayama this time. In the Share House, I live together with international students, so we usually communicate in English. I also applied because I wanted to maintain the English skills I developed while studying abroad.

Good Things about Living in International Student Shared House

One of the best things about living in the Share House is that I no longer feel lonely. I used to live alone, and I often felt a bit sad coming home to an empty room. But after moving into the Share House, my roommates would greet me with a warm “Welcome home,” and every time I returned, it made me feel happy and comforted. We sometimes cooked and ate meals together, and those moments became some of my favorite memories—something special that could only happen because we shared the same living space.

I became especially close with one of my Thai roommates. We went on drives together to the northern part of Okayama, sang karaoke, and even visited my hometown where she stayed over at my house. I’m really glad we were able to spend so much time together not just in the Share House, but also outside of it.

Difficulties and Failures

I still remember how nervous I was at the beginning, knowing I would be living with students whose names and faces I didn’t even know. One of the most difficult times for me was when I couldn’t express how I really felt to my roommates, and we couldn’t communicate well. Especially in the beginning, I wasn’t used to living with others, so when our daily routines didn’t match or when something I had bought disappeared from the fridge, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.

But one day, I happened to run into a roommate in the living room, and I decided to honestly share what I had been feeling. To my relief, they responded, “I didn’t realize you were feeling that way. I’m sorry.” We were able to clear things up right away. After that conversation, my roommate also became more open with me, and our communication improved a lot.

Living with others isn’t always easy – it’s not all fun and smooth sailing. But I’ve come to realize that instead of giving up when things get tough, it’s really important to communicate openly. I think that’s one of the keys to making life in the Share House a positive experience.

How Did My Experience at Share House Affect Me? 

I believe my experience in the Share House had a big impact on my future career. By living with international students from different cultural backgrounds, I was able to learn about and understand perspectives and values that I had never considered before. This experience made me want to work with people from diverse backgrounds, and during my job search, I mainly looked for positions that would allow me to work internationally. Living with people from various backgrounds taught me so much, and if anyone is unsure about applying to the Share House, I would encourage them to just go for it. I truly believe that life in the Share House will bring you experiences and lessons that go far beyond what you might expect.

Message to Applicants

Living in the Share House offers so many fun and unexpected experiences. You might feel worried – maybe you’re not confident in your English, or you’re unsure how to communicate with people from different cultures. But remember, international students coming to Japan often have the same worries, too. So, if you’re unsure about applying, I encourage you to take the first step and give the Share House a try! And most of all, enjoy your time there!