Bruna, from Brazil, a former au pair and now back in Brazil teaching English, wrote to say that "yes, living in the U.S. changed my mind about Americans. ...back home, people believe that Americans are always up to something and whatever they do is always about them. I tell them that judging Americans without living with [...]
Au Pair in America has au pairs arriving to the U.S. from so many different countries. These young women take a leap of faith, trusting that the net will be there. And be there it is! With an excellent field network of community counselors, a dedicated staff in Stamford, CT and host families wanting to [...]
Cindy Klose, a German au pair living in Rhode Island, recently visited a 5th grade classroom to share her holiday traditions with the children. Initally, Cindy was nervous, not knowing what to expect, wondering how the children would respond to her, questioning, "did I have enough to share with them?" She was happy to report [...]
In 2003, Au Pair in America partnered with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund to provide a scholarship for a deserving young woman to come to the United States on the program. A team of community counselors, our South African agent, Symonne Wilson, and Jean Quinn, Deputy Director, went to Johannesburg to interview several final candidates [...]
I always tell newly-arrived au pairs how brave they are to cross an ocean (or two) to live in the U.S. as an au pair. I remind them of their determination and strength when they're feeling somewhat vulnerable, alone and afraid. "How many people do you know," I ask, " who are willing to travel to [...]
As I was searching on the internet for interesting holidays, I stumbled on October as "Family History Month." Given that my family, as are many of my friends and colleagues, were from different parts of the world, I decided to do a little research and find out as much as I could about my ancestors. [...]
We've come to expect Global Awareness presentations in classrooms, Scouts, libraries and bookstores. But we had a Global Awareness presentation at a recent cluster meeting that lasted until almost midnight!! We had a Thai cooking class! Sai, a Thai au pair, brought all the ingredients for spring roll, red curry with chicken and pad thai. [...]
Nonto and her Community Counselor, Diane Wallace and thank you Nontobeko ("Nonto") for submitting your essay on what your cultural exchange experience has meant to you. Nonto's essay is an inspiration to all of us who are fearful of taking that next step into the unknown. I've always said that the au pairs are the [...]