Kevin Callaghan left the US for China after the financial crisis broke out two years ago. With many years' experience in the real estate sector in US, he thought he could cooperate with Chinese companies on real estate projects. It did not work out.

When Poly Group, a State-owned enterprise he hoped to work for did not need a foreign expert at the time and Callaghan enrolled in an MBA course at the European Institute of Business Administration at Tsinghua University.

A fan of hutong culture, Callaghan, 52,now rents five rooms at Yu Baozhen's courtyard house, shared with METRO about what it is like to live among a traditional Chinese family.

Q: Why did you choose to live in a Chinese traditional courtyard instead of an apartment?

A: I like very much the hutong places, but I didn't know them well. When I came to China, I decided to live in a siheyuan to know old Beijingers' lifestyle. I visited many siheyuan, and finally chose this, because it is quiet and in the heart of Beijing.

Q: How much do you pay for the rent?

A: Siheyuan in Beijing are quite expensive. Generally, they go for about 15,000 yuan a month, but I pay 8,000 yuan a month because the house is not so big. It includes a bedroom, bathroom and a study.

Q: Many expats in Beijing live with friends from their own country, why didn't you do that?

A: I don't want to live with them. They are so much like me that I don't need to experience them. I like living with Chinese. They are friendly people. They trust and welcome you as if you are part of the family. Besides, living among a Chinese family can also help me learn the language.