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Xiang's Profile
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TB -- Hi. It’s nice to meet you. So, can you tell us a little about what made you decide to come to Japan?
Xiang -- Sure, I graduated from the English department of my university and immediately started working in a town called ChongQing after graduating. But, I still had the desire to study more English and Japanese. I felt there was still so much about the cultures of the countries where those languages are spoken…so I started studying Japanese on my own. I passed the 4th level of the University Level Japanese Proficiency Test in China and applied to Ochanomizu University. And now, I will be studying there as a research master’s student!
TB -- Wow, it sounds like everything worked out perfectly! So then, how did you find out about Transborders?
Xiang -- Before coming to Japan, I was given some apartment options from my university’s study abroad center, but there weren’t very many and the ones they had were not that cheap. A one-room apartment was going for about 70,000 or 80,000 yen. Also, they weren’t that close to the school…none of them were ideal. So, I looked at some sites on the internet and saw an ad for an apartment listed by Transborders and called right away.
TB -- And what was the process like to ultimately decide on a room?
Xiang -- Well, I saw the ad and called Transborders from China and immediately got a lot of room information from the staff, and had a few good options available to me. Then, on the day that I arrived at Narita, I went and saw one of the best options while still lugging around my 50kg bag! The next day, my school confirmed that they could be my guarantor, and ultimately the day after I arrived in Japan I was able to move into my new room. I feel really grateful that it all worked out like it did, because I have a feeling it’s pretty rare to be able to move in to a room so quickly after arriving in Japan!
TB -- Did you encounter any problems or have any inconveniences in the process?
Xiang -- Ummm…Well, my first night I slept on the floor with no futon! (Laughs) I guess the process of getting a guarantor (having the school press their seal and handing it over to the real estate agent) was kind of hard because it wasn’t all completed when I moved into the room and I still had things to kind of think about even after moving in. But at the same time, I had done a lot of research about the conditions of moving and finding housing in Japan, so I wasn’t that worried. Also, my landlord helped me get set up and settled by taking me to a second hand shop to get furniture and things. I am still working on getting internet set up, but I feel really lucky to have such a nice landlord! Still, though, for about two weeks after moving in, I was sleeping on the floor! (laughs)
TB -- Oh wow! (Laughs) Do you feel more settled in now?
Xiang -- Well, I’ve only been here just over a month, and so far it really hasn’t been hard getting used to the weather and lifestyle in Tokyo. Oh! Also, my landlord sometimes takes me out for dinne, so I am really thankful for that. I live within a 10 minute walk to school, which is great, and my next door neighbor gave me her refrigerator before she moved out! It’s all gone so smoothly, I feel that for the next two years I have no reason to move and feel really happy with where I am!
TB -- I am so glad that you are happy with your room! On that note, do you have any advice or thoughts on Transborders’ service?
Xiang -- The staff members have all been incredibly helpful and really kind. I thought the service I received was great and the company overall has a great atmosphere. I think the company can be much more effective as they strengthen their ties with the universities, because it seems that they are still not that connected yet.
TB -- Thank you very much! And last, do you have any words of wisdom for people who are currently looking for rooms in Tokyo?
Xiang -- would definitely recommend doing some research and having a full understanding of the whole room search and moving-in process in Japan, before actually starting the process because the systems are really different. I would also recommend trying to find a room that is close to where you will be working or going to school. Even if you decide to live somewhere a bit cheaper, but is kind of far from central Tokyo, it might not even be worth it because of what you will end up paying in train fare or transportation costs. Then, really it’s just kind of a pain and a waste of time to live very far away. Also, I think it’s a good idea to not only check out the room you might live in, but also carefully look at the rest of the building and the surrounding area to see what kind of neighborhood it is. I mean, for example, for a girl like me who comes alone to Japan, safety is a really important factor. Oh, also…I think having good communication with the landlord is also important…
TB -- All very good points. Thank you so much for giving us such an honest interview. I hope that you enjoy your two years in Japan to the fullest!
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