Summer Hosts Sought for Japanese Teens -- Discover California

March 18, 2010 - PRLog -- Summer Hosts Sought for Japanese Teens

Clovis, CA – March 18, 2010

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, visit our website at www.discovercalifornia.schools.officelive.com.

Exchange Program Basics
Japanese participants have:
• health insurance.
• spending money.
• a desire to participate in American family life.

Host families need only to provide:
• a bed.
• meals.
• plenty of opportunities to experience everyday American life.
They will be amazed at how fascinating their home, neighborhood, family and friends are when seen through fresh eyes.

DCA will provide:
• an in-depth orientation for host families focusing on cross-cultural awareness.
• “24/7” support throughout the exchange from the DCA director and the native Japanese chaperone who will accompany the Labo delegates.

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 Zeeland, 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 even-numbered years, when 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, 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
Discover California (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.

DCA's Director, Pauline Smoke, is a credentialed California teacher with 30 years of experience in international exchanges. Her relationship with Labo began in 1999. She has hosted teen delegates and chaperones, assisted with host family recruitment and orientation, and chaperoned American teens during an 8-week exchange to Japan.

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