However, the downsides might include obeying a curfew, not living with other international students, or the possibility of a personality or cultural incompatibility with the host family. Although I think I would have enjoyed a homestay experience, my main concern for studying abroad was providing myself the best study environment, which meant living alone.
I did not want to live in an apartment because the student is usually left to manage the utilities (electricity, gas, water bills) alone, which means calling the service company and only speaking in Japanese to set everything up. My Japanese language skills were not that fluent for such a situation and this could add extra stress. I was excited to learn I would be living in Waseda Hoshien, along with other international students. I learned that here in Japan, unlike America where living in a dorm means you have to share a room with roommates, a dorm room is normally a single-private bedroom! Mine also came with a small fridge, bathroom sink and toilet. This was perfect for my needs because I can study and concentrate better when alone in a quiet room. Besides my dorm room, the common areas, such as the private shower rooms, laundry room, kitchen, and lounge room, were shared with other students living on the same floor or building.
Another great thing about living at Waseda Hoshien was being able to meet many students from different countries and making international friends! During my dorm orientation, I met two friendly girls from Melbourne, Australia, a few students from Sweden and Spain, and even other Americans from California and Arizona.
