Exchange Programs Add Exotic, Educational Elements to “Stay-cations”

April 9, 2010 - PRLog -- Exchange Programs Add Exotic, Educational Elements to “Stay-cations”

Clovis, CA – April 9, 2010

Current economic conditions are leading many families to forgo expensive trips in favor of “stay-cations” this year.  Hosting a teen from another country is a great low-key, low-cost way to add an exotic and educational element to an at-home vacation.

Discover California (DCA) is seeking host families for nine Japanese teens, plus their chaperone, from July 25 through August 21, 2010.  These teens, who range in age from 12 to 16, are members of Labo, a family-based organization that helps youth develop leadership and creativity as they learn the language and culture of another country.  All have spent at least one year in intense preparation for their American homestay experience.

Potential host families will have the opportunity to review the Japanese teens’ applications during an in-home interview with the DCA director, thus allowing them to choose a youth who will fit in well with their lifestyle.  Eligible families must be able to provide appropriate references, and will include at least one child of the same gender and similar age as the Japanese youth.  Families without teenage children are eligible to host the chaperone for a two-week period.  

For more information and a host family application, please visit the DCA website at:  www.DiscoverCalifornia.schools.officelive.com

Exchange Program Basics:
Japanese delegates will have:
o   health insurance.
o   spending money.
o   the desire to experience daily family life.
Host families will provide:
o   a bed.
o   meals.
o   opportunities to participate in family life.
       --hands-on, people-oriented activities are usually more memorable than expensive trips to theme parks.
       -- Japanese delegates' program fees include an allowance to attend a camp or conference with a host sibling
Discover California will provide:
o   an in-depth orientation that will focus on cross-cultural awareness.
o   Japanese-English phrase books and other resource materials.
o   “24/7” support throughout the exchange from the DCA director and the English-speaking Japanese chaperone who will accompany the group.

History of Labo:
What is now Labo began in 1962 as the Tokyo English Center, Ltd., which offered English classes to businessmen.  By 1966, the organization’s focus shifted to serving children as young as three years old through the highly successful “Labo Party” system.  The non-profit Labo International Exchange Foundation was established in 1973, and has since arranged thousands of summer exchanges between Japan and the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, and South Korea.

Origin of DCA:
Labo’s principal exchange partner in the U.S. has always been the 4-H Youth Development Program, and all exchanges to and from California have, until now, been under the auspices of California 4-H.  However, staffing limitations have restricted these exchanges to alternating “inbound” and “outbound” years.  Since California is such a popular destination, Labo International Exchange Foundation recruited veteran host mother and chaperone Pauline Smoke to coordinate a non-4-H inbound exchange during the years that California 4-H sends delegates to Japan.  After consulting with the director of California’s 4-H exchange program and receiving her blessing, Mrs. Smoke agreed to establish Discover California to bring Labo members to the state only in even-numbered years.  California teens wishing to host during odd-numbered years, or wanting to be hosted by a Labo family in Japan, will be referred to the California 4-H International Exchange Program.  

DCA Director’s Credentials:
In addition to being a credentialed teacher in California, DCA director Pauline Smoke has been actively involved with international youth exchanges for thirty years.  Since 1980, she and her family have hosted more than a dozen youth and half a dozen chaperones through several exchange programs.  Her relationship with Labo began in 1999 when her daughter, then a17-year-old 4-H member, hosted a Labo delegate from Osaka, Japan.  The entire Smoke family was very impressed by the level of support provided to host families by Labo in comparison with other exchange organizations.  They have remained active in the Labo/4-H exchanges ever since.  Since 2001, Mrs. Smoke has assisted with host family orientations and with arrival programs for Japanese delegates.  In 2008, she had the privilege of chaperoning 4-H members from throughout the United States during an eight-week exchange in Japan.  The depth and breadth of her experience with Labo exchanges will provide a firm foundation for the Discover California program.  

Contact:
Pauline Smoke
DCA.smoke@yahoo.com
27829 Stoney Hill Lane
Clovis, CA  93619
(559) 298-7948

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About Discover California (DCA)
DCA was founded in 2009 at the request of the Labo International Exchange Foundation (http://www.labo-exchange.com/) in order to expand opportunities for Japanese teens to participate in month-long homestays with California families. Labo is a highly respected Japanese organization with a 36-year history of successful international exchanges.