Introducing Labo

About The Labo International Exchange Foundation

Created in 1962, the Labo International Exchange Foundation is a non-profit educational organization that provides an integrated program of youth development, language learning, and cultural exploration for Japanese children and their families.

At the heart of the Labo organisation are the 2000+ Labo Parties located throughout Japan and its 20,000 members.

Labo Parties

A Labo Party is a group of members who meet once per week to use and learn English in a variety of ways including song, dance and drama. Operating the Labo Parties are Labo Tutors who, as well as teach and mentor their Labo members, attend regular area meetings and form a wide network of support for Labo members.

Some Labo Tutors see their members start at the age of 2 and see them grow up throughout their teenage years. Regional offices serve as the hub for the tutors information and communication which is all managed by the Labo head office located in Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo.

A family based organisation

Children in Japan between the ages of 3 and 18 join Labo in order to improve their English-language ability as well as to learn about other cultures and expand their personal horizons. Using international bilingual songs, stories and plays from around the world, members learn about the world and about working with one another. At weekly Labo Party meetings, children of all ages work together to bring these stories and plays to life. At seasonal camps, Labo members also enjoy practicing and performing their plays in addition to hiking, games, and other outdoor activities. Labo is volunteer-driven. The thousand of Labo Tutors, trained by local Labo offices, recruit young people from their neighborhood to join their Labo Party club. Tutors often remain an important part of their members’ lives into adulthood.

Labo's Exchange Philosophy

In today’s increasingly interrelated world it is important that young people be given the opportunity to learn different languages and to be exposed to new cultural values. A person-to-person, family-to-family experience offers a much deeper and personal path to understanding, and Labo’s programs all emphasize personal attention to achieve educational goals.

Family-to-family ties

Labo’s homestay exchanges emphasize the personal and the family experiences. Both children and their parents can exchange emails etc with each other, and whole families often become involved — with younger siblings visiting the same home, and even second-generation exchanges taking place!

Exchangees are encouraged to fit into the life of their host family as a family member — sharing in all family activities and chores. The friendships developed make this an experience that can last a lifetime.

International Homestay Programs - incl NZ

As well as hosting international students in japan, one of the big draw cards for Japanese Labo members is the overseas exchange program that Labo is famous for.

Since 1972 Labo has been sending its members on homestay programs around the world including China, America, Canada, Australia, and in 2001, started the New Zealand program in Tauranga. Year 2011 was the 10th anniversary of the In-New Zealand program with host schools Tauranga Intermediate, Tauranga Girls and Boys College’s

Introducing Labo

My exchange was fruitful. I was able to experience many traditional and modern aspects of the culture, while living with a totally welcoming family set on improving their English. The memories I made throughout my trip are invaluable, ones that I will hold dear to me for years. The whole Labo organisation and staff was terrific and I would encourage others to participate in the homestay exchange.

Every step of this journey is well planned and you are guided through everything from the first night in Auckland to the flight and meeting your host family. I highly recommend the Labo trip, it is very organised and an amazing opportunity to practice your Japanese, and experience real family life in Japan. Don’t think about it, just do it!!

I encourage anyone to take this trip if they’re willing, because it was the best three weeks of my life. Dare I say it, but I barely missed my family in New Zealand, it was too much fun for me to have time to. My best advice would definitely be to try out everything that’s offered to you. Most of the things I wasn’t too keen on actually turned out to be my favourite things when the trip had ended.

I was able to do many great activities with my host sister and family while in Japan. I visited my host sister’s school, I was lucky enough to go to karaoke twice, so much fun attempting Japanese songs. I walked up a shrine on New Year’s Day, took a trip into Tokyo with my host and we went up Sky Treeto see the beautiful Tokyo night lights. I took many Purikura (photobooth photos) with my host sister and her friends. I was even lucky enough to go and see a Kis-my-Ft2 concert at Yokohama Arena, my host sister is a huge fan. These are only some of the amazing experiences I had in Japan. I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful to be able to have lived them.

Those three weeks in Japan was a best thing ever for me. Firstly, it was my first time to Japan, and I could hardly believe I was in Japan the day we arrived… And I think I was really lucky with my host family. I felt I fitted in the family very well because of our common interests. My homestay family was really nice to me and I truly felt like it was my second home! Secondly, the three days at Daisen camp was really special, The kids were very cute and the activities were really fun and enjoyable. On the last day I received little notes from all the people in my group, it was touching, even now I still love to read those notes now and again. The last day, I got an album from my homestay, it was made by my host sister. There were lots of memorable photos and lovely messages for me. I was cried when I saw it at the airport. It was my best memory ever!! I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have been on this program. Thank you labo!!!!

This trip is an awesome opportunity and experience. You are fully immersed in the Japanese culture, everyday is planned and packed with lot's of new and exciting learning and knowledge, and the hospitality is amazing. It is a trip of a life trip, and I would highly recomend it.