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Summer Homestay in Japan

Dates

Students travel to Japan around the second week of July and return to their homes one month later.

Travel to Japan

Students travel in state and provincial delegations which are accompanied by an adult chaperone. All delegates meet on the West Coast for an overnight departure meeting which covers last-minute travel instructions, a review of Japanese culture, and program notes.

Arrival Program

Groups are met at Narita airport near Tokyo and travel by chartered bus to a hotel in Tokyo. Labo's arrival program includes information about travel to host families, an introduction to Labo, and information about communication lines during the summer.

Host Family Selection

US and Canadian students may request a specific host family. If that family is unable to host, or if there is no request, Labo will select an appropriate host family. If a student has other requests, such as a host with certain interests, or in a certain location, Labo will do their best to respect those requests.

Travel to Host Families

• Families in the Tokyo area pick up their exchangees and travel by bus, train, or car to their homes.
• Most students travel by Bullet Train to their host homes in the Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, and northern areas.
• Some students fly to their host families.
• All ground travel is accompanied by Labo guides.

During the Summer

Host family activities vary from family to family. Most Labo members will still be going to school for a few days, so a visit to a Japanese school is likely. When school is out, activites may include visiting shrines and temples, shopping, sports, going to the beach, visiting relatives in the countryside, and helping around the house.

Exchangees are expected to adapt to their host family's lifestyle, and live like a Japanese teenager for their month in Japan.

Labo Camp

• All exchangees will attend a 4-day Labo Camp with their host sister or brother. The host family will decide which Labo Camp they will attend, and which session of camp (each camp has 4-6 sessions during the summer).
• The host family will make all camp arrangments.
• Exchangees are encouraged to read about Labo Camp before going, in order to fit in well, and to take necessary supplies. Host families can help provide many supplies such as water bottles, towels, and packs.

Departure from Japan

One day before departure from Japan, all exchangees travel to Tokyo for an overnight hotel stay. This time can be used for last-minute shopping and sightseeing (Labo organizes various tours for students) as well as de-briefing and travel instructions. The following day all students will travel by chartered bus to Narita airport for their flight home. Due to the International Date Line, participants will arrive home the same day that they depart from Japan.

Cost

Labo's In-Japan Fee covers all costs in Japan except for private purchases. All travel in Japan, hotels and homestays, meals, and travel and all Labo Camp expenses are covered. In addition, students receive a US$30 'yen packet' when they arrive, which gives them some Japanese yen to use until they are able to get to a bank. SCHOLARSHIPS: Labo offers partial scholarships for students who have hosted a Labo member in Canada or the United States. Full scholarships are available to students who have hosted a Labo Year-Long High School student.

Please contact your U.S. or Canadian Coordinator for more information, or send an e-mail to the Labo office.

Support

In addition to the 12 Labo offices and thousands of Labo Tutors throughout Japan, native English-speaking chaperones and Labo Interns provide assistance and support throughout the summer. They are strategically located all over Japan in order to be available in case of problems.

Nihongo Program

Travel to Japan three weeks prior to the Summer Homestay program and join Labo's NIHONGO Japanese Language program.