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Acquiring English and sense of international relations in the global community: 【First house Mizonokuchi 100+b】

TSH writer — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 04:36:31 +0000

Soaking yourself in English

I assume that a lot of people have wants to experience the foreign cultures and natures. Well, what would you do to learn English? There’s plenty of ways to learn without actually going abroad, such as altering language setting to English on your smartphone, take online classes, watch TV shows on Netflix, and so on. The problem is that you cannot feel the difference if you don’t continue. Of course, to acquire something, you need duration and continue the work, but wouldn’t it be great if you could learn efficiently? Imagine if you could use English every day as if you take a shower…. It is possible to create situation that you must use English in daily life in Japan by living with foreigners. From this aspect, I will introduce you today the English centered share house among all others.

Find out more about “First house Mizonokuchi 100+b”

Most of the residents are from abroad! “First house Mizonokuchi 100+b”

Inter wow Inc. is a corporation that runs various sized share house around Tokyo and Yokohama area. “First house Mizonokuchi 100+b” is a new comer. It opened this May and can have up to 40 residents. It is gradually getting occupied after 3 months from opening. The character of share house depends by the people who live there. The residents here are 60% foreigners and we can definitely say that this is a hyper international share house. For your information, sister house “First house Mizonokuchi 100+a” which had opened last year is just around the corner. The source of the house names are combination of the number of accommodable residents of a and b, which makes it 100.

Unified theme of design is “American Vintage

The open living room area is divided into 5 different sections. You may choose depending on the situation like dining, chit chatting, or spending time alone. The living rooms have lots of furniture made of leathers and irons. They are from furniture shops in Jiyugaoka and Futakotamagawa, both known as fashionable town in Tokyo. They have chosen dark tone wood for the floor to make the rooms’ look wild and vintage.

Communication is all about “having fun”.

This play area is like American dinner, the one you see in TV action shows . It has a whole new image. Record jackets on the wall and block check designed tiles make this place definitely photogenic. In fact, your friends will ask where you are right now by posting the photo on SNS. The billiard table at the center is popular among residents. Beginner can start by asking how to play, and there’s high chance of naturally getting along with others. You will get better at it too. Sometimes they do country matches! Imagine, isn’t it exciting?

Big island type kitchen; usable for many people at the same time.

This may be a familiar picture to you. Yes, it is a western type kitchen. The table is stand-alone type so more than 1 person can use the kitchen at the same time. You can take a sneak peek of what everyone is cooking!

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Residents’ voice ~People living in the First house Mizonokuchi +b~

The two in the picture is Felix from Germany (on the left) and Amanda from America (on the right), both the residents here. Surprising facts came up through this interview. Various nationalities exist in the house, and surprisingly some of them came to Japan to join internships. Interns tend to be young aged and no exception for Felix. Japanese look much younger at the same age, doesn’t it!

Amanda from New York, USA has been living in Japan for three months now. She wished to live near big city like her hometown and chose this place, near Shibuya. She is temporarily absent from college and came to Japan to study about car business by joining internship at the firm. Students joining internship mostly have chose Japan as their first choice. By living with Japanese in the same share house makes foreigners easy to learn more about culture, history, and their language, and vice versa.

They both answered that one of their reason to be interested in Japan is that they like Japanese anime! Manga and animes of Japan are appreciated abroad, more than Japanese imagine. Titles like Dragon ball or Sailor Moon is known by a lot of people from other countries. They have studied Japanese from the time they were children by watching animes. Talk about manga and anime you like for starter and you may get along well with them!

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How’s the daily life here?

When making decisions whether to join the share house or not, you should know about how the residents spend their daily life and how the relations are in advance. You wouldn’t want to feel the gap between the reality and the image you had. Some Japanese may be concerned that there’s lot of party going on every day or gets noisy every night, but in fact, those things are not to be worried about. Owner has full support and controls the situation.

It is basically quiet around the house except when people gather. Isn’t it surprising? Most cases, it is tend to be busy around the sharing space in the house since people have their own life rhythms and it won’t match one another. It happens not only with lot of foreigners but even if the residents are mostly Japanese. The party held by the owner regularly is also open for their friend too so the whole house will be crowded, but it’s the only exception.

For Amanda, the home is quiet but it is not too silent and people there at home will make her feel safe.

On weekdays, people gather at dinnertime and eat together or play billiard.

Some were cooking at the back kitchen while we were interviewing. Different from the Japanese-driven share house, the house members here tend to act as a group than individually. Don’t worry about not being able to join the existing community. The staff living together at the house will take good care of the new comer and help create new connection between them.

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Condensed cross-culture experience in Japan

Although recommended that you to stay there at least half a year to build relationship with other residents and experience things only acquired from share housing, if you’re in certain conditions, it is possible to live here from 1 month term. This may be attractive to some people. Many foreigners have problem concluding contract with apartment owners due to insurance issues. It makes the share house popular for them to live since it doesn’t require guarantor or hire Guarantee Company. Residents stay over a year at share house run by Inter wow Inc. They assume that live-in staff brings good effect for the residents to have smooth communication and build a comfortable environment for all.

There will be some changes but you can expect to meet different people. (Of course it is always sad to say good-bye…) It is rare to build relationships with people of different nationalities in one place. Sometimes former residents join house events and some of them even wish to come back, asking for vacancy.

These two who took their time on interview was also very friendly! Thank you so much for the opportunity!

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How did you like it? You may not believe it is located at Mizonokuchi when you visit the First house Mizonokuchi 100+b, with international living room and kitchen and foreign residents. Although official language in the house is English, you can communicate in Japanese with foreigners studying Japanese. Everyone including Europeans and Asians speak English fluently made me realize how we Japanese can’t speak English.

Both the residential staff and the residents themselves solve the anxiety for “comfortableness” that Japanese have. There seems to be no border between residents and the staff, and they all together create a one big community. Inter wow Inc. holds meet-and-greet events with other house residents. I recommend this share house to those who would like to communicate with people with various nationalities and experience the unique culture and sense of values.

Author / Sho

I take photos of share houses and write articles. On weekdays I live in a large-scale property of 60 people in Yokohama, commuting to Shibuya. I am flying about Tokyo and taking pictures. Surfing in Shonan on a holiday based on 10 sharehouses in Kamakura. I would like to spread the admiration lifestyle that can be realized with a share house!

To those looking for Shared House, Room for rent in Japan

TSH writer — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 11:08:48 +0000

To those looking for Shared House, Room for rent in Japan

In recent years, “share house” is a way of living which is popular among young people in Japan. I think that in the US and Canada it is commonly referred to as “Shared House” or “Room for rent” the style that multiple people live in. In Japan, such a way of living is generally called “share house” I will. The characteristics of Japanese share house are as follows.

1, Initial cost is cheap.
2, I can make Japanese friends.
3, There is a new encounter regardless of age and sex.
4, There are luxurious facilities that can not be used for living alone (gym, studio, theater room …)
5, Some homes do events and parties on a regular basis.

If you are planning to come to Japan, if you are interested in “Share House”, please look for your preferred share house from “Tokyo Share House” by all means.

To those looking for Flat in Japan

TSH writer — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 10:26:02 +0000

To those looking for Flat in Japan

In recent years, “share house” is a way of living which is popular among young people in Japan. In the UK, we generally call the style of living by multiple people “Flat”, but in Japan this way of living is generally called “share house”. The characteristics of Japanese share house are as follows.

If you are planning to come to Japan, if you are interested in “Share House”, please look for your preferred share house from “Tokyo Share House” by all means.

Fail-safe Guide to Searching for a Sharehouse in Australia

グローバル editor — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 01:53:01 +0000

Sharehouses have become quite popular in Japan, although there still aren’t many privately owned properties in the mix. In Australia many properties are sublets, meaning people renting a 2 or 3 bedroom house rent out unused rooms to other people. For this reason you often find cheap houses that aren’t properly controlled, or places where sharemates are sharing the same key. In this article I will show you how to figure out the best house for you while touching on areas of which you should be careful.

How do I look for a sharehouse?

Check the internet
In Australia there are quite a few websites on which you can search for sharehouses in English or even Japanese. Gumtree is said to be the best website for this, however recently Flatmates has been a firm favourite. As these are English websites, exchanges between the property owner will be in English. People who do not feel confident in using English should check out this article →＜Link＞How to find a sharehouse in Sydney：【Useful Words and Phrases】
We showcase a number of properties on our website. The greatest advantage to using the site is that our staff inspect the properties ourselves. Have a look at this site, too, as we post safe and sound sharehouses.

Things to make note of during inspection

As well as the overall atmosphere, it’s important to check out a few other things when inspecting a room for rent.

①How many sharemates are there?
This is the most important point. Be wary of houses awkward or uncomfortable living arrangements. Kitchen and bathroom cleanliness is of course also important, however take note of how many people you would have to share with. According to NSW regulations up to 5 people may share 1 bathroom, however there are properties that do not abide by these rules. I have personally shared a bathroom with 6 other people myself, and even though we scheduled our shower times it was difficult to control the toilet of a morning. Always make sure you check the number of toilets in a sharehouse.

②Will you get your own house key?
However obvious it may seem, always check to see if you will get your own house key. There are many cases of key sharing among large numbers of people, and you might not be able to get inside when you return of a night without someone having to let you in. If you live in a secured apartment, you might get a house key but not a key that lets you into the building as these keys cannot be copied. Your sharehouse will be your home, and being aware of this point will ensure you will not stress over such a small thing.

③What is the minimum length of stay?
A 3 month contract is generally the norm. Some people, such as the Japanese, may prefer an initial 1-month contract with the option to extend, however because this is hard on the owners having to find new tenants, it is necessary to check everything thoroughly before deciding to sign the contract. It is important to do so because the bond you pay will not be returned if you break a contract longer than 3 months.

④Is there a washing machine?
This is also something you may take for granted, but not all sharehouses have washing machines. Some buildings may not have washing machines inside the apartments, and you may have to use a communal coin laundry shared with others in the building. Other houses may have washing machines but are coin-operated, so make sure to check the laundry situation out before signing the lease. Australia has a shortage of water and with the water service being expensive, house rules usually dictate that washing must be done once a week. Please understand that circumstances may be different in Australia than your own country.

⑤Are the house rules suited to you?
Each house has its own rules. There are houses where inviting friends over is prohibited for security reasons, or where parties are only okay until 10pm. On the hand, there are also houses where friends of residents can come and go as they please, resulting in a ‘party house’, so you could say that having some house rules makes everything run smoothly. Be proactive in keeping the house clean as doing so is the responsibility of everyone in the house.

⑥Avoid night inspections as much as possible
Avoid walking around unfamiliar areas at night. I have lived here for 8 years and even I avoid going to new places by myself at night. Should the owner of a property only be available to open the place for inspection at night because of work commitments, ask a friend to accompany you. One must protect themselves overseas.

⑦It’s never too late to decide on a house
Some people might be anxious to find a place to live in as soon as possible, however over here it’s not unheard of to find a place 1 week in advance because a statement of departure is able to be lodged from 2 weeks to 1 month beforehand. It’s actually uncommon to begin looking for a house 3 months in advance, and starting too soon is actually more difficult as the owner often doesn’t know about residents leaving until one 1 month beforehand.

Things to make note of when signing contracts

①There might not necessarily be a contract
There are cases in which privately owned properties do not have contracts. This means that you might not receive a formal receipt, however if you are paying a large sum of money like the bond make sure you get one.

②Bond is usually 2-3 weeks rent
2 weeks rent is generally the norm, however you might be asked for 4 weeks rent depending on the property. As Australian regulation state that up to 4 weeks rent may be asked for in bond, be wary of places that ask for more.

Summary

The thing you notice about living abroad is that while the norm in Japan is to tear down old houses and build new, overseas there is a culture to protect old homes and there are many properties that seem old in appearance. The important thing is not if a house is new or old, but if it has basic things like personal keys or if there are enough bathrooms. What will determine if you can live somewhere for a long time is whether or not the house is comfortable, if you can relax there and if sharemates can respect each others privacy. Make sure to check all of these points when looking for a place to live. Another thing to think about is if you get along with the owner of the property! I’m always here if you want to talk about Sydney or Australia. →Sharehouse Australia

/Author:Kaori

Sydney life style – Public transportation

グローバル editor — Fri, 08 May 2015 03:20:08 +0000

In this article I will talk about the transportation situation in Sydney. The city has trains, trams, buses and ferries, and I’ll explain how everything works from the tickets to the fare system. Public transportation here has improved greatly and has become much more easier to understand than it was when I first arrived in Australia, however it is still surprisingly complex with some bus section information unclear even to this day. But fear not!! The introduction of the Opal card last year is slowly resolving these problems, and I will talk about the card in more detail below.

Opal card

The Opal card arrived on the scene last year, and is similar to Tokyo’s Suica card. Until now Sydneysiders have been using paper tickets or receipts from conductors as tickets, but at long last the city has taken a step into the future. In the past train, bus, ferry and tram tickets had to be purchased separately, or combined unlimited passes called ‘MyMulti’ tickets, but with the arrival of the Opal card everything has become much easier. More on that later.
The Opal card system is as easy as ‘Tapping on’ when boarding and ‘Tapping off’ when alighting.

All-day travel capped at $15

Travel all day for no more than $15. Tourists can ride all day with an Opal card without worrying about a thing, and there is no need to buy a separate daily pass!

60 minute transfers

When transferring using the same mode of transport within a 60-minute timeframe you only pay one fare based on the distance you travel. This only works for bus to bus, or train to train transfers.Transferring from train to bus will incur another fare.

Weekly Travel Reward

Tapping on and off 8 times in one week will get you free travel for the rest of the week. Just be aware that transfers do not count. Also the most you will pay in one day is $15, and anything exceeding that amount will not be counted. If you are trying to lower your weekly transport costs, then the Opal card can be very beneficial if you use your head.

Sunday $2.50 Travel Cap

Ferry prices are usually expensive, but on Sunday’s a return ticket will only cost you $2.50. Even if you then hop on the train or a bus, or travel long distances, it’s still $2.50. This makes Sunday’s perfect for leaving the house and going out.

Weekly travel capped at $60

One week of traveling will never cost you more than $60! (excluding Sydney Airport Station access fee)

30% discount on off-peak fares

Receive a 30% discount automatically when travelling during off-peak hours!
※Peak hour：Sydney Trains network – Weekdays from 7.00am-9.00am and 4.00pm-6.30pm or NSW TrainLink network – Weekdays from 6.00am-8.00am and 4.00pm-6.30pm.

Where can I buy one?

Opal cards can be purchased online or at Opal card retailers. As ordering online requires a credit card and time for delivery, the best way to get your hands on one is at a Woolworths supermarket or a Seven Eleven. Search for participating retailers near you here.

How to Top up

An Opal card must be loaded with money before use. You can top up easily online or at convenience stores with the Opal card mark. Always be aware of the remaining balance on your Opal card.

Airport Station access fee

I have now told you about the benefits of using an Opal card, including daily and weekly caps and free travel periods, however one thing all passengers but be wary of is the Airport station access fee. Using the domestic and international terminals will incur a separate fee ($13 as of April, 2015). Keep in mind that this fee must be paid when going to the airport regardless of card benefits.

Sydney’s public transportation fares

These fares are from theOpal cardwebsite.

Bus Fares

Bus 1 (0 – 3 km)-Section１-2:$2.1
Bus 2 (3 – 8 km)‐Section3-5：$3.5
Bus 3 (8+ km)-Section6+：$4.5

Train Fares

(Up to 10km)From City Circle, Bondi Junction to the CBD, from Chatswood to Wynyard, From Mascot to Central：$3.38
(10-20km) From Chatswood to Townhall, Central：$4.2
(20-35km)From Hornsby/Epping to Central：$4.82
(35-65 km)From Cronulla to Central：$6.46
(Over 65 km)From Newcastle to Central：$8.30

Ferry Fares

(Up to 9km)From Neautral Bay, Balmain and Taronga Zoo to Circular Quay：$5.74
(More than 9km)From Manly and Parramatta to Circular Quay：$7.18

What is a person’s average monthly transportation costs?

Fares will differ depending on what mode of transportation is used, however a person commuting to work or school 5 times a week will pay roughly $67.20 a month using the cheapest transportation available.
Houses are on average 3-5 sections from the city, and will cost $112 a month. （※These prices have been calculated using the Opal card Weekly Travel Reward）

Other tickets

The old paper tickets can still be used in addition to the Opal card. Train and ferry tickets can be purchased easily from a ticket machine, however you need to be careful when buying bus tickets. There are 3 section-based tickets, MyBus 1, 2 and 3. MyMulti is a multipass that can be used on buses, trains and ferries.

Bus Sections

As you may have realised looking at the list of bus fares above, fares are calculated by distance travelled. Short distances are within 1 or 2 sections, but travel more than 3 sections and fares start to change. When do sections change? To be honest with you, I’m not even 100% sure, and this information isn’t even written at the bus stops. When you’re unsure you should ask the driver, or check the online map beforehand to avoid trouble. Check the maphere.

As seen above, riding the bus from C10 to E8 takes you through 3 sections (10, 9 and 8), meaning you will pay the $3.50 fare for 3 Sections. If you have an Opal card this is all calculated automatically, however if you’re using a paper ticket you need to figure out the cost beforehand or ask the driver in order to avoid fines.

Be careful of fines!

During the paper ticket era many people were riding with a MyBus1 ticket ($2.10) even though they were travelling 3 Sections ($3.50). This happened so often that ticket inspectors always rode the trains and buses to perform surprise inspections. Also, concession tickets are available at a discount to students in Australia, but not for English school students. Students not eligible for concession tickets frequently used them anyway, and this was also a target of the inspections. Fines can be around $200, and even if you mistakenly buy the wrong ticket you won’t be let off with a warning, so always make sure you pay the appropriate fare for your journey.

Having looked at both the Opal card and paper tickets, there’s no mistake that the Opal card is hands down the easier to use in terms of fare calculation between sections. There is no excuse not to have an Opal card with the bonus of all travel on Sunday’s capped at $2.50! Every Opal card has a security number, so make you register your card after purchase so you can protect or transfer your balance should your card be lost or stolen. Keep in mind that this card is for use in Sydney and its suburbs only, and cannot be used in other Australian cities!

/Author:Kaori

How to find a sharehouse in Sydney: [The Suburbs Edition]

グローバル editor — Sun, 03 May 2015 09:00:52 +0000

Finding a place to live in a foreign country is easier said than done. Not having having any idea of the local geography means that you won’t know the best areas to live in or which neighbourhoods are safe. Let’s look at convenience of public transport, something that the Japanese tend to go for when searching for houses. The reality is that no matter how beautiful the scenery in front of a property, commuting to school or work for over an hour each way gets tiring. I’ve been in Australia for almost 8 years now, living at various addresses all over Sydney from the north to the inner west, and the eastern suburbs. With this experience behind me I now bring to you some of the most popular places to live in Sydney.

※Locations in the red circle are roughly within an hour from the city.

1. Around the City

The city region is an area from which one can walk to the city or catch a 10-minute train or tram. Many of the sharehouses in the city are secured apartments with gym and pool facilities, shared by a large number of housemates. Relatively speaking these housemates are mostly Asian exchange students and Europeans on working holidays. There are a various suburbs in the city, and I will now go through those with a lot of sharehouses.

■Town hall/Central area

If you are working or studying in the city you won’t have any travelling expenses here. Perfect for people who love the city life. Mostly secured apartment-type sharehouses.

■Surry Hills/Ultimo

Great for people who want to avoid the center of the city yet still want to be nearby. Surry Hills is a popular neighborhood even among local Australians with many stylish cafe and restaurants. Townhouses and apartment buildings are commonplace. Ultimo is right by Sydney Central and is home to many university students. It’s close to the fish market and Darling Harbor, with mainly secured apartment-type sharehouses.

■Paddington

Home to the stylistas of Sydney. It’s main street, Oxford Street, is lined with many boutiques and stylish stops. This area comes alive with shoppers on the weekend. You can find mostly townhouse and apartment-type sharehouses here.

■Pyrmont

Pyrmont is said to be home to many Japanese nationals. The area has a stylish atmosphere and is located behind Darling Harbor. Mostly secured apartment-type sharehouses.

■Other

Elizabeth Bay, Potts point, Darlinghurst, Broadway, Woolloomooloo are also in the city

※Depending on the time and place, it is generally not advisable to walk around alone after dark in Redfern, Kings Cross, Chippendale or Darlinghurst. Eveleigh street in Redfern is avoided even by locals and is a place one should steer clear of outside of daylight hours. Public safety has improved considerably in the area since its troubled past, however care should still be taken walking the streets after dark.

2. Northern Sydney region

It is said that the north is the safest area in Sydney. There is a high tendency for Japanese nationals to prefer the north, and many representatives from Japanese companies live in this area. There are also many Asian supermarkets, as well as a number of Japanese restaurants. One of the reasons this area is so popular is its convenience of public transport – although some areas are only connected by bus route, trains are available in most areas.

■Neutral Bay/Mosman

This is a comfortable area to live in with safe streets, great access to the city and cafe/restaurant-lined Military Road. Sharehouses here are mainly houses and secured apartment-types.

■Crows Nest/North Sydney

North Sydney is a commercial district with large-scale shopping malls. Crows Nest is famous for its eating establishments, and is also home to many Japanese restaurants. Many people work casual jobs in this area. Sharehouses here are mainly houses and secured apartments.

■Chatswood/Artarmon/ St.Leonards

Chatswood is a major commercial and retail district in the north. Convenience at the train station has improved with the establishment of a supermarket and shops above. Artarmon and St. Leonards are also popular areas comfortable to live in. Sharehouses here are mainly secured apartment-types.

■Other

Wollstonecraft, Lane Cove, Manly, Hornsby are also a part of Northern Sydney

3. Eastern Suburb region

Sydney’s east is a popular area with locals as it faces the ocean. Expensive houses line the streets in upscale areas. Bondi Beach is popular among beach-lovers. Access to the city is limited to bus in areas outside of Bondi Junction, however the main reason people continue to choose this location is of course because of its proximity to the beach. It really is the perfect place for people who want to enjoy beach life to the fullest.

■Bondi Junction

Bondi Junction is the central commercial district in the Eastern Suburbs. Convenience of public transport is high with 24-hour access to the city via bus, as well as regular trains. The area is popular for having the luxuries of a large shopping mall, cinema, restaurants and a Japanese supermarket. Sharehouses here are mainly townhouse and apartment-types.

■Bondi Beach/Coogee/Bronte/Maroubra

Access this beach from the city without having to change buses. Living beachside is a popular choice because a 24-hour bus runs between the beach and the city. Sharehouses here are mainly houses and apartment-types. This area is great for people to want to live within walking distance to the beach.

■Randwick/Maroubra Junction/Kingsford

This area is home to a relatively high number of students with UNSW nearby. There are shopping malls in Randwick and Maroubra Junction, as well as everything you could possibly need in life (including post offices and banks). In Kingsford there are many Asian supermarkets and cheap restaurants aimed at university students.

■Other

Double bay, Woollahra, Centennial Park, Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill, Queens park, Kensington are also part of the Eastern Suburbs

※Bondi is a popular place, and with many pubs in Bondi Junction and near the beach, you will want to be careful not to get involved in any situations involving drunken revellers. I was once on my way home from work walking in Bondi Junction at around 17:30, and had my arms pinned behind my back by a drunk for 5 minutes. Another day I saw a man with a knife scuffling with 6 policemen. Where there are pubs there will be people under the influence of alcohol, so please be careful!

4. Inner West region

West of the University of Sydney is an interesting area comprised of very different suburbs. The Inner West is a melting pot of cultures with an ethnic attitude, with it’s own Little Italy and Chinatown. There is no mistake that being in Sydney means being able to enjoy a variety of different cultures. The main feature of the inner west is that there is no one area that is predominantly Western. Another is convenience of public transportation, with the area mostly connected to the city by train and bus.

■Newtown

The main street, King Street, is a bustling place lined with shops. It’s a popular destination filled with unique and interesting things, including individual fashion stores, cute shops and antique dealers. Close to the University of Sydney, the area is oriented towards the many students living in the area. Sharehouses here are mainly townhouse, house and apartment-types.

■Glebe

Glebe is not quite like Newtown but it does have its fair share of cafes, and the Broadway Shopping mall is a great convenience with its cinema among other things. Sharehouses here are mainly townhouse and apartment-types.

■Marrickville

Marrickville was once known for its Vietnamese immigrant population, however trendy cafes have multiplied and so has its popularity with the Australian locals. A convenient location with a shopping centre, sharehouses here are mostly house-types.

■Balmain

Balmain is also a trendy, popular area. The atmosphere is great with its boutiques and cafes, and the bay as well. Access to the city is by bus or ferry. Sharehouses here are mainly house and townhouse-types.

■Annandale/Stanmore/Leichhardt

Suburbs around Parramatta Road near the city. These suburbs are relatively close to each other, and for shopping you can go to the shopping centre in Leichhardt. Leichhardt is known as Sydney’s “Little Italy” where you can enjoy a different atmosphere to that of the city. Sharehouses here are mainly townhouse and house-types.

■Ashfield/Burwood/Strathfield

These suburbs have predominant Chinese and Korean populations. There are also a number of Asian supermarkets in the area. Burwood is the biggest, having a shopping mall with a cinema. Ashfield is closest to the city, with many Japanese nationals living there and many house-type sharehouses. Sharehouses in Burwood and Strathfield are mainly secured apartment and house-types.

■Other

Petersham, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Summer Hills, Lewisham, Rozelle, Concord are also part of the Inner West

※The west is known as an area home to an increasing amount of immigrants, and it is not advisable to walk outside alone after dark. Areas around the city are fine, but one should be careful riding trains especially at night.

5. Southern Sydney region

This area is close to the airport and progressing rapidly, with many newly-constructed properties. Public transport access is great with buses and trains in service. There are also facilities such as shopping centers and malls, and all-in-all the south is a convenient place to live. In the south is Botany Bay, so one can experience a relaxing life by the sea down here, too.

■Rockdale/Kogarah

Safe areas popular because of relatively cheap prices compared to the North and Eastern suburbs. Both suburbs have shopping centres and are connected by bus and train. Sharehouses here are mainly house and secured apartment-types.

■Other

Mascot, Hurtsville are also part of Southern Sydney

I personally have lived in Manly, Annandale, Stanmore, Randwick, Lane Cove, Chatswood, Frenchs Forest and Bondi Junction. One thing I can say for sure is that you can really enjoy a different vibe and atmosphere from each suburb. I’ve met some people who have lived in the north for 20 years, though. What’s important is that you find a place you like, as well as somewhere safe and comfortable. A home is a place where one can relax. Let’s find that place for you. I’m looking forward to your questions about Sydney and Australia.
→Sharehouse Australia

/Author:Kaori

Study Abroad in Australia ~Sydney School Compilation~ [PART ONE]

グローバル editor — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 01:43:56 +0000

With all of the English language schools in Sydney, you may be wondering how on earth you should go about gathering information on them all. That’s where we step in, showcasing 10 schools in Sydney in part one of this article series. If you like the sound of a particular school click the school page link for more information! Please feel free to contact us as we take reservations for free school inspections and trial lessons at our Sharehouse Australia portal site. （Click for more information ）

Schools in this article

La Lingua Language School

This is a school for people who want to talk. The school logo is even a mouth! The staff here are enthusiastic about creating a fun and enjoyable school, and the students walking around campus with big smiles on their faces is proof that whatever they are doing is working. It’s a safe and secure environment for exchange students beginning their English-speaking journey and people on working holidays. 　 →Visit the school’s page

Points

・Conversation centered classes focusing on English you can use in real life
・Close relationships between students and their teachers and counsellors
・Teachers must love their jobs here with many veteran members on staff

International House Sydney

This is a popular school offering programs perfect for people who want to be English teachers, with their J-Shine course and English Teaching training units. This school is recommended for people who want to use English in their future careers, or who are looking for experience overseas as well as to gain English proficiency as well as a certificate to go with it. Complete the course and obtain qualifications advantageous to your job-seeking activities back home. It’s a unique environment where native English speakers are also studying to become EFL/ESL teachers. →Visit the school’s page

Points

・As a school offering English teacher training courses, its own teachers are experienced and highly qualified
・Conversation-based classes focus on speaking ability
・Provides excellent training for students who want to be English teachers in the future

North Sydney English College

If you’re looking for a good quality school that won’t have you breaking the bank, this is the one for you. Reasonable rates mean that many students chose to study here long term. It’s also a great place to make friends with plenty of activities to participate in. Feel safe and secure with friendly Japanese staff to support you during your time here. →Visit the school’s page

Point

・Reasonable rates allow students to attend longer and study harder
・Great chance to improve your English skills in an environment with few Japanese students.
・The school has many friendly, experienced teachers, and students enjoy close relationships with them

Lloyds International College

This is a sister school to North Sydney English College, also popular with reasonable course fees. A flexible timetable means that even working students can arrange their schedules around their lifestyles, with classes in the morning and evening. This is a great school for people who prefer a cozy, friendly environment. →Visit the school’s page

Points

・Make friends easily in a friendly environment with plenty of activities to participate in
・Great chance to improve English skills with few Japanese students around
・Study for longer with reasonable course fees

Performance English (Eurocentres)

This is the Sydney campus of Eurocentres Group schools, who have set up language schools all over the world. They hire only the best teachers and staff even periodically observe classes to check the quality of the classes. The Sydney campus is a small scale school with a cozy environment. With an even ratio of student nationalities the amount of other Japanese students is quite low. Classes are conversation-based and guide students towards natural English pronunciation. →Visit the school’s page

Points

・Receive precise feedback on your performance through fortnightly one on one interviews
・While the atmosphere is cozy, it’s off-limits to speak your mother tongue on school grounds!
・Above all else the school prides itself on the quality of its teachers who don’t cut any corners with their teaching methods!

Access Language Centre Sydney

Access Language Centre has a balanced mixture of student nationalities, many from European countries. With many conversation-centred courses students can improve necessary English communication and conversation skills while living in Australia. Access is known for its English internship programs, making it the perfect school for people who are aiming to work in foreign-owned companies and want to gain some experience in a local Australian business. →Visit the school’s page/span>

Points

・Make friends from all over the world in a school with a balanced student nationality ratio.
・Experience working in a local business via internship and gain the edge you need to secure a job in your home country
・Improve your speaking ability with conversation-centred classes

ABILITY English Sydney

ABILITY’s popular Pronunciation and Fluency course employs speech experts to teach students the tools needed for achieving perfect pronunciation, including training muscles in the mouth unused in other languages. Survivor English is another unique course where students complete weekly tasks to help them speak native-like English with confidence. This is a great course for people who really want to develop confidence in English. →Visit the school’s page

Points

・Build confidence speaking English with unique programs like the Survivor English and Pronunciation and Fluency courses!
・The school has won numerous awards with its great courses, teachers and facilities
・Full of international character with plenty of activities to participate in

Greenwich English College

Greenwich English College is a popular school boasting the most Cambridge Examination courses in Sydney. Student satisfaction is high, one of the reasons being that with periodic counselling sessions students can maintain sound English goals. There are also a variety of afterschool classes that students can freely participate in. This is a great school for people who want to get official certification before returning to their home country. →Visit the school’s page

ポイント

・The school maintains a high student pass-rate with expert teacher direction in popular Cambridge Examination courses High rate of student pass-rates under expert teacher direction in popular Cambridge Examination courses
・Japanese staff are on site to help at any time, and give great advice in relation to English-related questions
・A variety of optional classes and activities after school give you more chances to improve your language skills

SELC Bondi

SELC Bondi has been in business for 28 years. Speaking one’s mother tongue on campus is strictly prohibited! One popular course here is the English + Professional Barista Training course. Learn not only how to make coffee but also the English essential for interacting with customers the SELC cafe, adding an advantageous boost to your future job hunting endeavors. This is a great school with experienced teachers and staff who support the students, perfect for first-timers studying abroad. →Visit the school’s page

Points

・Multicultural campus with many European students close to Bondi Beach
・Up your job prospects with the professional barista training course!
・First-time study abroad students will feel reassured with some workshops conducted in Japanese

SELC City

SELC City is another SELC campus located right in the middle of the city. The school enforces a strict no-native language policy. Like the Bondi campus, this school also has cafe facilities and offers the same barista course for students looking to gain an edge to their resumes. Take classes at a level appropriate for your skills with General English classes divided into 9 different levels. This school has a balanced ratio of students from all over the world and a high satisfaction rating. →Visit the school’s page

Points

・Using your native language on campus is prohibited! Take a shortcut to English proficiency in a strict English-only environment!
・Acquire customer service skills with the popular barista course
・Get an understanding of your own English level with classes divided into 9 distinct levels

Each school has different qualities and features. You should be able to find the right school for you after examining your own language learning goals and objectives. The best thing to do is research these schools and find out what they are about for yourself. Language schools are a big expense, and as such it is best to choose a school that satisfies your needs and wants. First, we want to help you find that one school that excites you enough to want to attend. Here at Sharehouse Australia we take reservations for free campus tours and trial lessons, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. （Contact us）

/Author:Maruyama

Sydney life style : Sharehouse

グローバル editor — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 09:00:59 +0000

Um die Suche nach einem WG in Japan

TSH writer — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 09:54:33 +0000

Um die Suche nach einem WG in Japan

In den letzten Jahren “Sharehouse” ist die Person leben, dass bei jungen Menschen in Japan populär sind. Ich denke, dass in Deutschland leben der Regel in mehr als einer Person Stil “WG” genannt, aber in Japan, in der Regel “Sharehouse” solcher lebenden genannt. Teilen Haus der Eigenschaften von Japan sind wie folgt.

1, die Anschaffungskosten ist billig.
2 ist es japanischen Freunde.
3, Alter, Geschlecht, unabhängig, gibt es eine neue Begegnung.
4, gibt es eine luxuriöse Ausstattung, wie sie nicht allein im Wohnzimmer verwendet werden könnten (Fitness-Studio, Studio, Theater-Raum …)
5, gibt es auch ein Haus in regelmäßigen Abständen die Veranstaltungen und Partys.

Wenn Wenn Sie Interesse an der “Sharehouse” in denen, die für Japan geplant kommen, bitte Suche einen Anteil Haus meiner Favoriten aus allen Mitteln”Tokyo Sharehouse“.

2013-2014 The end of one year and the start of another.

tokyosha — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 20:54:27 +0000

Connecting people with share house living all around the world

Towards a future connecting you with share house lifestyles around the world.

New Year’s is at last upon us.

I’m sure you all have experienced a lot with work, in personal relationships and throughout your day to day lifestyles this past year, so why don’t we look back and reflect on the year that was?

For me the year went by in the blink of an eye as I tried my best to focus on things right in front of me. Despite much failure and reflection I gained experience venturing into new fields and I feel as though it was a stimulating and worthwhile year for me.

Although our site still needs much improvement, we exist and were able to bring in another new year because of everyone who visits the site and the lovely folk managing the share houses. Thank you all very much.

This past year we were kindly welcomed to visit a large number of share houses mainly in the metropolitan area. We are very grateful to be able to continue doing things like talking to people living in the share houses and hearing their stories and getting the management to answer our questions.

It was also a year that saw ideas and proposals being suggested by staff members, not only in the shooting of properties but as well as coming up with and participating in our own events.

We planned a bus tour to go around and check out great unique share houses,

Leased communal areas in share houses for Ladies’ Nights,

and we received a call from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in regards to the share house industry and assisted in opening a forum where we were lucky to get many share house business operators to attend.

would like to make use of the experience gained from participating in such hectic yet rewarding events in the future, so if you have any interesting ideas by all means let us know.

Also, the biggest event of the year for us was opening our global site “sharehouse.in” that allows you to search for share houses all over the world.

We have also begun to introduce share houses not only in the Kanto region but also in many areas throughout Japan including the Hokkaido, Tokai, Kansai and Kyushu regions.

Our site is accessed a lot from overseas by exchange students who have graduated and people of foreign nationality, and we are very excited about the prospect of being able to help people not just in Kanto but throughout Japan and the world.

☆

“Who is going to take photos of the property?”

“Let’s do it ourselves for the time being.”

“How are we going to get there?”

“By plane.”

“Huh?”

☆

Various discussions were had amongst staff in the lead up to opening our global site, and trying to work things out all the while tearing our hair out, it was actually quite fun proceeding with things in preparation for the realization of our objective.

Of course, challenging new things means venturing into the unknown and not everything had positive results.

There were many times we faced feelings of frustration and depression, however I believe that by stepping back to broaden our outlook and focus on where we were headed lead us to discovering certain steps to be able to see new things.

As the number of share properties we showcase is still quite low, it is necessary to keep improving both the system and the design in order to handle the promotion of worldwide share-living lifestyle.

That said, share houses do have an appeal not found in conventional leases and for people who take their dreams and aspirations and leap into these unknown neighborhoods, they are invaluable, fascinating places where magic happens and encounters are born.

Although we don’t know how far we will go in the future, we would like to continue our activities in developing connections between people all over the world while bringing you the news and communicating the appeal of shared living as we have been doing, and we hope to have you there supporting us along the way.

So once again, thank you for a great year.

We hope you all have a happy new year and that it is again one full of wonderful experiences.

Author / Moriyama

As founder and CEO of Tokyo Sharehouse, I aim for a society in which we can freely connect with the world and everything in it. I believe there lies hidden many free and enriching, interesting stories to be told in this world and want to set about discovering them for the everyone to share.