FAQ Topics
Application Criteria
This Japan homestay program is open to students studying in New Zealand from year 9 to year 13. Students outside this range may be considered on application.
If your application is accepted and our minimum numbers have been achieved (min 10 students), then yes, as long as your fees are paid all you need to do is pack your bag!
For NZ passport holders No. New Zealand and Japan have visa waiver agreement for 90 days.
If you hold passport other than a New Zealand one, the rules may be different and you will need to apply for a visa. Please discuss this with us before you apply.
It is suggested that your tetanus inoculation is up to date when travelling overseas. It is also advised that you have had 3 Covid-19 vaccine’s however this is not mandatory. There is an area of the application form that asks about your inoculation history. This is purely for information in the event of a hospital visit during the program.
Gear and luggage
Pack for winter! We will issue a gear list with the information pack. You will also receive a nice tour hoodie to wear as a group on your arrival to Japan. This program includes a youth winter camp in the mountains. You stay in nice lodges but its located above the snow line. It is recommended that you take hiking boots for the camp that are water resistant at least for mucking around in snow etc. A pair of waterproof pants, thermals and a warm jacket. Any gear that you do not have you may be able to borrow from your host family.
No. The dress code for the tour is tidy casual. You will be issued with a tour hoodie which you will wear as a group when you get to Japan.
School in Japan
It is not part of our nor Labo’s arrangements for you to attend school. However, many host families do go out of their way to arrange 1 or a few school days in the beginning of the homestay period. Schools tend to break for the winter vacation on or around the 25th December. Discuss this with your host once you receive their details later in November.
If you are fortunate enough to have your host family arrange for you to attend school for a few days you should wear tidy casual clothes. You must wear shoes and socks. Most Japanese schools change to an indoor shoes once they arrive and also have another pair of sports/gym shoes for PE and training. They have in door sports shoes and outdoor sport shoes. You should also take PE gear. Discuss this with your host once you get their details in November.
Travel Insurance
No we do not include travel insurance in the program fees. This must be purchased by you separately. You will need to apply for your own travel insurance and send us a copy of the certificate by November.
All participants must have travel insurance with at least unlimited medical cover and unlimited repatriation cover. You will need to provide a copy of your insurance certificate to us by November prior to departure.
If you need to go to the doctors or a medical center, or need medicine, you must pay for this immediately. You will need to keep the receipt and doctors notes etc, in order to make your travel insurance claim once you get back to New Zealand.
If you do not have enough funds to cover medical charges in Japan, you host family or Labo will pay this for you. You will need to reimburse them as soon as you can. Keep all receipts and medical documents in order to make your travel insurance claim.
If you require major medical treatment or hospitalisation in Japan that will be costly, you or your tour leader should contact your travel insurance immediately for assistance.
Cancellation Charges
If applicant numbers do not reach minimum levels then the program will be cancelled and any fees you have paid returned to you in full.
If you cancel up to 60 days prior to departure for what ever reason then 20% cancellation charge applies, as the departure date gets closer this charge increases. Please our terms and condition page for details.
Personal Spending Money
We recommend $600-$700 spending money, plus extra if there is something special you want to
buy. During the homestay your host family will provide everything you need and all meals are included so you can get through the program with out spending so much.
Take some Japanese Yen – Cash and the ability to access money digitally like a debit card.
We recommend cash of 50,000yen (approx $NZ600-700) which you can get at any major
bank or Money exchange. Please organise meeting in Auckland as we will not have time on departure day.
Debit cards: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Japan. You can load money to these via internet banking so they are a great way to manage your personal funds.
Homestay in Japan
The Labo International Exchange Foundation only use families who are Labo members. These families are well known by the local Labo Tutor who have often known these families since the kids were very young.
If the family is part of the Labo network and in the homestay area we are heading to then you may request them to host you. Beyond that, Labo Japan will assign a suitable family based on your application form details. At least, you will be hosted with a Labo family which has a child of a similar age and the same gender.
Yes. You will have your own host family. These families are scattered around the region and sometimes a long way from other fellow participants.
There are two homestay periods with the Labo winter camp in the middle which is when the NZ contingent will gather again along with all the other Labo members.
To homestay with a family by yourself, in a foreign country, speaking another language, out of your comfort zone, be willing to experience new things and to open your eyes up to how others live, is an amazing experience. However it takes positivity, resilience and the want to grow as an individual. It’s 100% character building, very internally rewarding, and has the potential to change the course of your life!
Mobile Phones
You can take a mobile phone or tablet to Japan. The host family will have wifi and you will encounter wifi almost everywhere in Japan. However we do not want your head in your social networks or back with friends and family in New Zealand, you’ll see them again soon enough. This especially applies when you are spending time with you host family. It would be considered extremely rude and anti social if you are on your device and not interacting or making the most of your short time in Japan. Take lots of photos and post them when you are back home or when you have a spare moment alone and NOT spending time with your hosts.
NZ Study Tours and the Labo organization have all your and your host family contact details, both telephone and email. Your parents will have your host family contact details and all the program organisers both in NZ and Japan, both telephone and email.
Should there be a situation for your to be contacted there will always be several ways to do so.