LONG INTERVIEW

Boost English Skills Before Working Holiday – Experience Life in 3 Different Share Houses!

My name is Daijiro Kaneda, and I've been living in Asakusabashi House for six months. I currently work as a company employee in Tokyo.
I've had the opportunity to live in three Borderless Houses: Kichijoji 1, Kikukawa 3, and now Asakusabashi 1, with a working holiday in Australia in between.

Before my working holiday, I wanted to improve my practical English skills, so I searched for an environment where I could use English daily. Since I wanted to maximize my time in Japan by immersing myself in English, and I also wanted to downsize by getting rid of my old furniture, living in a share house with international residents seemed like the ideal choice.
Borderless House was an easy decision because of its strong focus on interaction compared to other share houses.

No More Fear of English – Feel the Growth in Practical Conversation Skills!

Before moving in, I could only manage simple self-introductions in English. Even though I had studied through online lessons, I didn't have many chances to interact with people from overseas, so my practical English wasn't very strong.

Yes, I definitely noticed a big improvement! Having someone to speak English with daily really boosted my confidence, especially when it comes to practical, everyday expressions.
For example, something as simple as “What day should I take out the burnable trash?” became a challenge to say in English. After moving into Borderless House, I realized there was still a lot for me to learn, but this realization became a great motivator.
Every day, I'd ask myself, “How do I say this in English?” I would take notes, look things up later, and practice. This process really helped me improve my practical English skills.

Living at Borderless House helped me overcome my hesitation to speak English. I used to feel like I needed to speak perfectly, but over time, I realized it's okay to speak even if it's not flawless.
When I went to Australia, I felt a bit nervous at first, but I quickly adapted, thanks to the daily exposure to English while living in Japan.

In my previous house, we would set up informal Language Exchange sessions where we'd teach each other our languages. Since many of my foreign housemates at Borderless House were also learning Japanese, it made for a fun and engaging way to improve both English and Japanese through our daily conversations.

Even though we come from different countries and cultures, the shared joys and challenges of learning a language have really brought us closer, and I find teaching and learning from each other to be incredibly fun! Even now, living in the Asakusabashi House, I continue to teach Japanese to my housemates, and it gives me a real sense of fulfillment.

A Life Full of Small Discoveries
Challenges and New Experiences Are More Fun with Housemates by Your Side!

One of my favorite memories is from a recent summer festival party we hosted at the house.

At Asakusabashi House, we rotate event leaders each month to organize house events. When it was my turn, I decided to bring the feel of a traditional Japanese summer festival to the house.
We set up a projector to show fireworks and served festival treats like shaved ice and takoyaki. It was so much fun—like being a kid again—and seeing everyone smile made it even more special. It's a memory of summer that I'll always cherish.

At Asakusabashi House, aside from the event leader role, we also have a cleaning leader who manages the house cleaning. When I first moved in, I casually volunteered for the position, thinking it would be easy. But it turned out to be a lot more work than I expected! (laughs). If the cleaning wasn't done properly, the leader would get feedback and have to resolve the issue, so it kept me pretty busy.
Looking back, though, I'm actually grateful for the experience. Taking on the leader role right after moving in helped me communicate more with my housemates and get to know the house better. I realized that even challenging tasks can become fun when everyone works together.

I actually used to prefer spending time alone and wasn't the type to enjoy doing things with others. But after moving into Borderless House, I started having more fun with my housemates, and I discovered a new side of myself.

For example, just recently, I rode an electric scooter for the first time in my life and visited a sauna—also a first—with my housemates. If I had been living alone, I probably wouldn't have experienced these things. But with housemates, these new experiences keep coming. At Borderless House, life is full of small discoveries and new experiences, which makes it so exciting and enjoyable.

Step into a Life Full of Connections at Borderless House
- Jump In and Experience It!

After my working holiday, I didn't have much furniture or savings, so returning to a share house seemed like the easiest way to rebuild my life. But the main reason I keep choosing Borderless House is the endless opportunities to meet new people.

For me, meeting new people has always been what brings about life-changing moments. My working holiday wasn't always easy, but the connections I made have left a lasting impact on me, and I believe they've helped me grow.
When you're alone, it's harder to experience those “life-changing moments.” That's why I want to keep living at Borderless House, where I can continue experiencing meaningful encounters with people from different cultures.

Yes, my perspective on interacting with people who think differently has really evolved. I've become much more open-minded.
In the past, if someone didn't act the way I expected, I'd quickly assume, “They're just different from me,” and sometimes be a bit critical. Now, I try to understand their background. I think, “Maybe it's part of their culture?” or “Maybe they've had a tough day?” It's been a very positive change for me.

I had never lived with anyone outside of my family before, so I was nervous too. But through meeting so many new people, I've experienced growth and change, and I'm truly glad I took that step.

As I mentioned earlier, meeting people can be a huge catalyst for change in your life. If you're looking to make a change, I think Borderless House, with its vibrant community, is a great place to start.
If you're thinking about moving into Borderless House, it means you're probably interested in share house living. If so, don't ignore that curiosity! You can always go back to your previous lifestyle if it doesn't suit you, or even switch to a different house. Don't be afraid—take the first step!