At Borderless House, we believe in the transformative power of cultural exchange. As a brand that encourages adventure, nothing captures that spirit better than the story of Antonin, a recent resident.

"If I hadn't lived in Borderless House, I simply wouldn't have made Japanese friends in Japan."

This is the honest, candid takeaway from Antonin, a French exchange student who recently finished his stay with us in Osaka. His experience highlights the heart of what we offer: authentic connections and a true sense of belonging.

The Leap of Faith: Why I Chose Borderless House to Find Friendship in Japan

First of all, Antonin, could you please introduce yourself?

"Hello, I'm Antonin, and I'm from France. I've just finished a few months here in Osaka on an exchange program, and I'm heading back to France now. Since I was arriving in Osaka alone, I chose Borderless House specifically because I wanted to meet many people."

Why did you decide to live in a share house, and what made you choose Borderless House specifically?

"My main reason for choosing a share house was to easily meet people. That was the key thing because I was arriving completely alone in Osaka. I figured it was the quickest and easiest way to build a social circle."

"As for choosing Borderless House, I looked at several options. Your website is pretty clear and easy to navigate, and the video—the famous one—made it simple to figure out the location. That professionalism and transparency gave me a lot of trust in the company, which is why I chose to join the community."

Adventure & Exchange: Life in the Borderless House Community

We are thrilled to hear that Antonin has been enjoying a fun-filled community life at Borderless House!

Let’s talk about life in Borderless House. What were some of the most enjoyable things during your stay?

The nicest things we did were the one-day trips around Osaka! We went to Kyoto one day and visited other places too. Plus, we often had dinner together and enjoyed some casual drinks in the living room. It created a great, relaxed atmosphere.

Recently, I went to Kyoto’s Arashiyama with two housemates—it was really cool. I also visited Himeji Castle with my sharemates and their friends in beautiful weather! That was pretty fun!

On the other hand, did you have any unpleasant experiences while living in Borderless House?

Ah, well... I'm joking, but one housemate seemed to be throwing a party all the time! He was inviting a thousand people; it was like a new nightclub opened here!

Oh my god! (Borderless House Note: We do have house rules that require tenants to respect and consider the quiet hours for other residents and neighbors after 8 PM.)

Haha! I’m just joking. Honestly, there are no real problems with the house. I am pretty satisfied with this place.

Beyond 'Arigato': Language Growth Through Community

Could you tell me more about your experience with your housemates?

We have about six or seven people from different countries in this house—two Taiwanese, three Japanese, one English, and me! It’s a truly multicultural mix, and it’s been incredibly nice to meet local people and practice my Japanese.

"n fact, before coming here, I didn't know any Japanese words except 'Arigatou' (Thank you). I’m still a beginner, but my Japanese skill is definitely improving because I’ve been able to practice a little bit more with my housemates.

Most of the time, we were meeting in the living room, but sometimes we went out for a day trip, a restaurant, or a bar. That's a great way of learning a language—it makes the whole experience so much more rewarding.

Bridging the Divide: The Unmatched Value of Co-Living

Antonin’s father is visiting Japan, and they are heading off on a trip to Kanazawa (Ishikawa prefecture). We wish them a safe and wonderful trip!

How do you find the experience of living together with both Japanese and international residents?

I think it’s incredibly valuable to live with Japanese people because, outside of this environment, it’s actually quite hard to connect with them. Even at university, where I see many Japanese students, it’s tough to build meaningful relationships. You might talk for a few minutes, but you don’t see them often enough to form a true bond.

I know the challenge is partly because my Japanese skills were at a beginner level, and I was mainly taking English classes with mostly European and other Asian students. That limited my daily exposure to the local language and culture.

Living here, it was wonderful to finally connect with Japanese people on a daily basis. I truly believe if I hadn’t lived in this house, I would have very few Japanese friends. The single most important reason I chose to live in a share house was having the opportunity to meet Japanese people and build those lasting friendships."

It creates a natural, daily time to share and exchange with Japanese friends. It's also a fantastic place for the Japanese residents to improve their English, and even a little bit of French—just a tiny bit from me! Having that continuous, informal practice is the best way to learn a language and expand your cultural horizons."

Finally, what is your favorite Japanese word?

"Kanpai! (乾杯!)"

Ready to Start Your Own Chapter of Growth?

Antonin's story is a powerful testament to what happens when you choose to live beyond borders. The connections he made from casual coffee chats to exploring ancient castles were the result of choosing a community designed for authentic exchange.

His journey reminds us that true cultural immersion and practical language fluency don't happen in a classroom; they happen when you share a kitchen, plan a trip, and say "Kanpai!" to new friends from around the world.

Borderless House isn't just about finding a room; it's about finding your community, igniting your adventure, and accelerating your personal growth.

Don't just dream about international exchange—live it!

Discover other resident experiences that might inspire your own journey.