With over 30 years of experience in education, LbE has created life changing moments not only for the participating members, but also for the LbE Global Leaders.
LbE caters to more than 15,000 learner participants each year, and aims to create a bright future through collaboration amongst the world.
THE TEAMS BEHIND THE TEAM
LbE is powered by three regional offices throughout Japan and Hawaii in the United States with over a dozen passionate employees. LbE's offices are located in Fukuoka (headquarters), Tokyo, and Honolulu (Hawaii).
Programs often expand to other regions of Japan including Hokkaido, Kansai, Hiroshima, and Kyushu. Likewise, in Hawaii, programs also occur on the islands of Kauai and the Big Island.
In an effort to streamline the ultimate leadership experience, a group of LbE professionals make up the Global Leader Team.
Led by Kevin Ching, the Global Leader Team is responsible for the overall management and well-being of the LbE Global Leaders across the world.
Mr. Kevin Ching
Global Leader Team Director
Kevin, born and raised in Hawaiʻi, USA, has been directing the Global Leader Team since the fourth quarter of 2021. As a fourth-generation Japanese American with additional ties to China and Korea, Kevin's heritage and upbringing in a Japanese family ignited his interest in connecting with Japan.
He holds a B.A. in "Teaching English as a Second Language Studies to Japanese ESL Learners" from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and has over 15 years of experience in education and hospitality. Notably, Kevin even spent a few years as a Flight Attendant for a local airline in Hawaiʻi.
His journey with LbE began in 2008, participating in annual Summer programs. Over the years, he has progressed from roles like "Global Leader" to "Supporter," "Facilitator," "Project Director," to his current positions as "Chief Operations Officer of LbE Hawaii" and "Global Leader Team Director."
In his leisure, Kevin enjoys playing piano, composing music, karaoke, hiking, traveling, and spending time with his dog. He is committed to enhancing the success of LbE programs and fostering global peace.
Ms. Cláudia Gâmbaro
Quality Assurance Specialist
Originally from Brazil, Cláudia brings over a decade of teaching experience, educating students from kindergarten through university levels in her home country.
She holds an MBA in School Management from the University of São Paulo (USP) and is a specialist in Bilingualism from Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP). Her primary research interests are in language acquisition and intercultural communication.
Having joined LbE as a "Global Leader," "Supporter," and "Facilitator," Cláudia is now tasked with ensuring the quality of LbE Programs and the development of the Global Leaders, contributing to curriculum design, workbook creation, and professional development of staff.
True to her family name "GAMBARO," which means "Let's try our best" in Japanese, she is dedicated to delivering and inspiring excellence within the LbE community.
Ms. Poulami "Muna" Das
Recruitment Specialist
Muna is an experienced educator from India with over 15 years of teaching expertise, bringing dedication and passion to her profession. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from WBUT, India, building a strong academic foundation that complements her love for both analytical and creative pursuits.
With a deep appreciation for art and mathematics, she maintains a curious mindset and a keen interest in continuously learning new things. Her ability to balance creativity with logical thinking has shaped her dynamic approach to teaching and professional growth.
In 2022, she joined LbE as a Global Leader, where she contributed to fostering cross-cultural learning experiences. She later transitioned into the roles of Supporter and Facilitator, further expanding her impact within the organization. Currently, she plays a key role in the recruitment side at LbE, connecting leaders with various programs to engage and interact with Japanese students.
She is actively working towards the success and excellence of LbE and the LbE community, striving to create meaningful opportunities and lasting connections.
Outside of her professional life, she enjoys baking and exploring her creativity through art and craft, often experimenting with new ideas and creations in her free time.
THE LbE GLOBAL LEADER COMMUNITY
The LbE Global Leader Community consists of over 10,000 members around the world with current and alumni LbE Global Leaders!
In Japan, LbE Global Leaders primarily consist of international students studying in Japan from countless countries and territories around the world! Hawaii's LbE Global Leaders are a mix of local, US mainland, and international students. Together, the LbE Global Leader Community could easily be considered one of the most globally diverse communities in the world!
In order to develop a sense of LbE pride and the feeling of "family," the LbE Global Leaders are all considered to be a part of one tight-knit community.
GLOBAL LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD
LbE Global Leaders represent more than 100 countries and territories around the world, becoming ambassadors of where they are from.
Thousands of Global Leaders around the world have the opportunity to network, grow together, and support each other, while maintaining a close relationship and communication with the LbE operating organizations. It is not uncommon for LbE Global Leaders to remain with the LbE companies for the full duration of their college life and beyond. Working with LbE is an excellent way to grow and learn by experience.
Types of LbE Global Leaders
In each program, we have a team of LbE Global Leaders. Each member of the team has a different role with its own responsibilities and expectations. Each role is indispensable for the success of the program.
The ratio participants / Leader / Supporter varies depending on the size and length of the program, but also the activities in the schedule.
Candidates with exceptional experience, reliability, and dedication can climb the ladder to experience the positions of "Supporter" or "Facilitator," which pays more due to the added responsibilities.
LEADERS
Responsible for leading a group of participants in various activities, escorts groups during fieldwork, and sometimes presents about their country to participants.
FACILITATORS
Facilitates the activities of a program with efficient time management, while looking after the whole LbE program team. (training required)
SUPPORTERS
Supports multiple leaders, bridging between leaders and the facilitator. Supporters sometimes facilitate some activities / rooms. (training required)
JAPANESE SUPPORTERS
Fluent in both Japanese and English, and a bridge between Global Leaders and the participants in ensuring the understanding the program content.