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 20,000 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. Liv Peralta
Recruitment Specialist
Liv, a native of Hawaiʻi, USA is of half-Filipino and half-Japanese descent and identifies deeply with her fifth-generation Japanese roots, thanks to her grandmother's influence in maintaining traditional practices like mochitsuki (mochi pounding) and hatsumode (first temple visit).
She earned her B.A. in Japanese and Linguistics from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she also focused on second language learning and socialization. Her time studying abroad at Keio University in Tokyo deepened her connection with her heritage and sparked a desire to eventually move back to Japan for work.
Liv's previous roles at LbE Hawaiʻi as a Global Leader have equipped her to continue supporting students and the Global Leader Community effectively. Now, she is responsible for the successful recruitment of LbE Global Leaders in all programs.
During her downtime, Liv enjoys journaling, seeking fashion inspiration online, and relaxing in quaint cafes with an iced latte.
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 AMBASSADORS
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.
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.
LEADERS
Responsible for leading a group of participants in various activities, escorts groups during fieldwork, and sometimes presents about their country to participants.