Dates
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US and Canadian Interns fly to Japan in early September and return
home the following August.
Australian Interns fly to Japan in early February and return home the following January.
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Eligibility
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Applicants must be 18 years old at the time of application, and
may not be over 25. They should have a strong interest in Japan,
in working with children, and in living with host families for one
year.
Prior knowledge of Japanese is not required, but applicants must
be willing to work hard to master the Japanese language during their
year in Japan.
Previous participation on the Labo Summer Homestay in Japan
is highly encouraged.
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Job
Description
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Ten months are spent
working in Labo offices throughout
Japan. Responsibilities vary from district to district, and person
to person. But all include:
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Visiting Labo Parties at least twice per
week -- working with young Labo members, making presentations
about life overseas, and encouraging their use of English.
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Meeting with Labo Tutors and parents to
discuss youth culture in Canada, the US, and Australia.
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Attending College Mate (university students)
meetings.
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Working at Labo's summer and winter camps.
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Taking a leadership role during Labo's
winter and summer exchange programs.
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Assisting with English-language office
work.
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Language Study
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Interns spend two months
studying Japanese at Labo's NIHONGO Institute in Tokyo. This
time is also used for orientation to Labo, and training Interns
on their job responsibilities and duties.
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Independent Study Project
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Successful completion of an Independent Study
Project is a visa requirement for this program. Interns are allotted
one day per week to work on their project, which must be about some
aspect of traditional Japanese culture. A final presentation, demonstration,
or paper is required before the Intern leaves Japan.
Before coming to Japan, some Interns arrange to
receive university credit for their independent study project.
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Homestays
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Interns live with about six host families throughout the year.
They may request specific host families, or Labo will assign them
to appropriate families.
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Financial Considerations
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Labo provides round-trip airfare to Japan.
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Interns receive a stipend of 90,000 yen
(net) per month. Labo pays the Japanese taxes, but Interns
are responsible for any taxes in their home country.
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Labo provides host families for Interns,
and hotel stays when traveling. Meals are taken with the
host families, except for lunch, which is the responsibility of
the Intern.
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All transportation costs in Japan are
borne by Labo except for private travel.
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Interns are provided with medical insurance
coverage.
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Applications
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U.S.: Applications are due to the Labo office in Seattle by December 15 for the program beginning the following September. Finalists will be interviewed in February. Click here for downloadable application.
Canada: Applications are due to your provincial coordinator by November 30, for the program beginning the following September. Finalists will be interviewed in February. Click here for downloadable application.
Australia: Applications are due on September 6 for the program beginning the following February. Click here for downloadable application. Please mail your application to
Ms. Sally Shimada at:
1 North Harbour St.
Balgowlah, NSW 2093
AUSTRALIA
To contact by email please email her at sally.shimada@det.nsw.edu.au
Contact the Labo office in Seattle for more information or an application packet. |