Labo In-Japan Homestay Program

My Host Family
Labo Party Fun
Labo Winter Camp
Snow activities
Cooking
With my host sister
Winter Camp
An amazing experience
Shrine Visiting
With my host sister
Previous slide
Next slide

Labo In-Japan Homestay Program 2024 ~ 2025

Applications have closed for 2024. Pre-register for the 2025 program here.

Can’t join this year?  Register for next years here.  We will send your an early bird notification once applications open in early 2025.

  • Dates: Thursday 12th December 2024 to Sunday 5th January 2025
  • Program duration: 24 nights
  • Location: All over Japan
  • Age: Open to New Zealand students – Year 9 to 13
  • Cost: NZD$7,560 (including taxes)

Included in the above fees are:

  • Pre-departure orientation, dinner and overnight at Holiday Inn, Auckland Airport Hotel
  • Return Flight Auckland to Japan
  • Accommodation throughout the program including homestay, camp and Tokyo accommodation
  • All meals
  • Delegation leader to travel with the group from New Zealand
  • 24/7 support and a structured program arranged by the Labo International Exchange Foundation

Not Included in the fees are:

  • Travel Insurance – you must have a policy with unlimited medical cover and thorough repatriation cover.
  • Transports costs between your home and the Auckland Hotel prior to departure and transport home after arriving in Auckland International Airport.
  • Personal Spending Money

Conditions

All costs are subject to change without notice due to tariff rises and currency fluctuations until paid in full.  $700 non refundable deposit per person is required at time of application.  Once paid in full cancellation conditions apply.

See Ts and Cs for details   

Important Dates and Program Timeline

Application and deposit deadline

Applications Closed.  Pre-register for 2025 here.

$700 program deposit due

On receipt of application (non-refundable)

Info Pack I

Sent to you in July

Balance of Program fees due

August

Info Pack II

Sent to you November

Host Details

Sent to you mid to late November

Stay Overnight in Auckland

Thursday 12th December

Departure Day for Japan

Friday 13th December

stay period in Japan – the land of the rising sun

Friday 13th Dec 2024 ~ Saturday 4th January 2025

Depart Japan

Saturday 4th January

Arrive Auckland Airport

Sunday 5th January

 

Program Key Points

Participants
The program is open to any student studying in New Zealand in year 9 to 13.

NOTE:
Students must be willing to spend 3 – 4 weeks immersed in foreign language and cultural environment. This program is not for the faint hearted and a reasonable level of resilience is a prerequisite.  This is not a sightseeing trip, but a chance to become a member of a Japanese family for a little while, It will be a truly rewarding and memorable experience for those well suited. A limited number of spaces are available for accompanying adult chaperones depending on the participant numbers.

  1. Meeting in Auckland
    Participants will meet at the Auckland Airport Hotel at 4pm on Thursday 12th December for a pre-departure orientation, dinner and overnight in the hotel. Participants are required to make their own way there.
  2. NZ Departure
    The group will transfer to Auckland International Airport, flight check in and depart on Friday 13th December 2024.
  3. Japan Arrival
    The group will fly into Narita International Airport, Tokyo where Labo staff will meet them. As part of the orientation students will stay the night in Tokyo. The following day after the orientation, participants will make their way to their respective homestay locations, which may be anywhere in Japan.
  4. The Homestay
    Homestay with a Labo host family. During the homestay an additional 3 nights are spent at the popular Labo Winter Camp. You will experience normal family life in Japan during the school term and also during the winter vacation. The actual experiences you have will differ from family to family and also from region to region. All Labo host families have children in the home and Labo will do its best to match a family with a similar age child and gender as you.
  5. Labo Camp
    One of highlights of the trip is spending 3 nights with other Labo members and youth exchange participants from other countries at one of famous Labo camps. (see more on Labo Camp)
  6. Labo Parties
    Your host will be a member of a Labo Party which they attend once per week. You will be welcomed and encouraged to join in with the Labo Party activities. The Labo Tutor who heads their particular Labo party will be a familiar face for you on the program and will also be a big part of the Labo support network.
  7. Japan Departure
    The group will depart their respective host homes on Friday 3rd January 2024 and meet in Tokyo for a final night before the journey to Narita International Airport for the overnight flight back to Auckland.
  8. Handling and Support
    The program is being handled by the Labo Exchange Foundation in Japan and NZ Study Tours, New Zealand.

Labo area staff and local tutors will be in regular contact with participants.

New Zealand Coordinator:
NZ Study Tours
Contact: Mr Stuart Cundy
40A Grange Road, Otumoetai, Tauranga 3110
Mobile 027 294 3144

Japan Coordinator:
Labo International Exchange Foundation
Contact: Emanuel Landau
Lucid Square Shinjuku East 2F, 1-3-21 Okubo
Tel: +81 3 6233 0630
www.labo-exchange.com4

Labo In-Japan Homestay Program