Housing

When it comes to orientations conducted by the university, all students pointed out that they got the information about course registration, on-campus services and school facilities. Graduate students got advice about course selection and useful textbooks from their supervisors, while undergraduate students got this academic advice from more senior Thai students.

All students mentioned that there is a consulting room for international students provided by their respective universities. However, they did not gain any advice regarding daily life from it. Nine students, accounting for 29% of participants commented that the consulting room or international students‟ center is useful when the students can communicate in Japanese because it is staff by Japanese, and most of them would not communicate in English. Mostly, students used this service when they wanted to get the information regarding local exchange or student activities after the initial arrival period.

One exceptional case is the case of a master student from D University.

The university manages a program where local volunteers play the host role, taking care of international students. The student said that through this program he established a local network, which he found to be useful for his study and where he could learn more about Japanese culture.

year in Japan when they lived in a dormitory provided by the university or the residential housing arranged directly by JASSO. Nevertheless, these places have a limited length of stay, so students had to find new accommodation on their own.

Two master students from E University exceptional early housing experiences. They have been living in a service apartment since their first year.

They reported that the university also introduced a dormitory but that it was quite far from the campus. Normally, on-campus dormitory are suggested to self-financial students because it they are usually cheaper and scholarship students are offered a more expensive option.

3.2.1 Decision Making

Eleven out of 17 students, or 65% of participants living in Kyushu, are sharing a room with at least one roommate and 73% of them are living with Thais.

The rent per person is cheaper for shared apartments. Students said they feel comfortable living with a co-national with whom they can share feelings and problems with, as well as spend time with. On the other hand, students in more urbanized Kanto and Kansai found it more difficult to find a rental apartment for several persons.

Normally the number of service apartments for international students is limited; especially for those whose guarantor is the university, not a Japanese person. The owners do not want international students to rent their apartment. It is even more

difficult to rent a shared room which is usually for family. We are not family, just friends (Doctoral student, B University).

Two students living in Tokyo volunteered that in the big city even though they could have rented shared accommodations, the monthly rent per person would not have been cheaper. Therefore, students living in big cities often choose to live alone, which seems to be the most convenient way to rent the apartment.

Students who live alone tended to search for the apartment in the same area as their co-nations (colloquially referred to a little-Thailand) and often spend time together for dinner with co-nationals.

Regardless of the number of people living together, each student interviewed considers convenience as the first priority for housing and cost second. Students searched for convenient housing in terms of geographic distance from the university, transportation access, and nearby places to eat and shop. The apartment where they are now living in was not always the most convenient nor the cheapest, but they try to balance the two factors of economy and convenience.

3.2.2 Rental Services

Eight students arranged their own real estate agents, while six had Japanese speaking friends (either fluent foreigners or native Japanese), choose the apartments and finalize the rental contracts for them. Three students did not search for new accommodations, and instead continued renting a room from friends or seniors. No students moved into furnished apartments. Most inherited

old furniture from Thai students who were going to graduate. This is one way that newer and older students utilized their co-national network: to gain material support for living when they need it and pass to others when they don‟t.

The students who searched for the accommodation by themselves found that documents and contract making procedures were a major problem, due to their limited Japanese language proficiency. An undergraduate (2^nd year) student from A University suggested that the real estate agents should help international students by providing English documents and help contacting other related service (electricity, gas, and etc.).

I was very stressed and worried about moving into an apartment. There were many documents and long procedures to complete. I had to contact the electricity company, gas company and so on by myself. And all these things have to be done in Japanese (Undergraduate 3^rd year student, A University).

In order to meet the requirements, the university serves as the role of guarantor for international students and I think this is very good. But, I think the further help with signing contract documents should be provided also. In my case, I do not understand Japanese so I had to sign the documents I did not understand (Master student, E University).

3.2.3 Satisfaction and Comments

Overall, students are satisfied with their apartments. However, three students mentioned that their rooms are small and the walls are too thin. Noise from adjoining rooms is often unavoidable. Four students commented that they like the design and function of the room, finding that even though the physical space is limited, the toilet, kitchen and bedroom are properly equipped and functionally separated.

For students living in JASSO provided apartments and on-campus dormitories, they are all satisfied with the level security, comfort, and convenience.

However, two undergraduate students commented that there are many rules to follow. One of them said:

I sometimes study with my friend until late night. I want my friend to stay with me but it is impossible. I think it would be better if we could do that. Actually, they should allow the registration for guest to stay...one night per time, for example (Undergraduate 3^rd year student, A University).