We are so impressed by how many of our au pairs donate their time and talents to community service work. This week’s spotlight is on Nadine Shulte. Nadine is an au pair from Germany living with her host family in Louisiana and a State Winner for the 2016 Au Pair Community Service Awards. She shared the following about her volunteer work with a local elementary school and more.
I volunteered in several places during my time as an au pair, but in my extension year I wanted something more than just doing it once in a while. I love to work with kids, and so I decided to volunteer twice a week in the kindergarten class of my host child. It is amazing to see how happy you can make children just with being there for them, play with them or encourage them to try again reading the word or name the number right.
One of the best moments always is when I walk into the classroom and all the kids looking up, smiling and welcome me with a “Hi Mrs. Nadine,” or the moment when I got my first craft from one of the girls, and of course when I get a hug goodbye. All these moments are so heartwarming, and I love being together with these kids; it is great to see how much they learned over the past few months in reading, writing and math.
I learned a lot about the American culture and lifestyle, because who is better in explaining things than cute little kids, and of course I heard a lot of stories and memories so I get a great view in the American life—and I also love to share with them my culture.
For me volunteering is an important part, I already volunteered a lot in Germany since I am a Scout back home, and I just couldn’t imagine my life without volunteering. I love to see how happy you can make people just with little thing, but it means the world to them. You are always learning stuff and you meet amazing persons with great stories. And I think there is no better way to learn more about the American culture than to volunteer and being a part of the community.
I definitely feel I am a part of the school life and the social life since I started volunteering. Parents come to me when they walk by or when we meet at the grocery store and they telling me how much the kids talk about me and how much they love me—and I would lie if I would say it doesn’t give me a great feeling.
And also the volunteering at the Hurricane Katrina 10-year anniversary was a big step to learn about the culture in New Orleans, because still there is a lot of work to do even when it was 10 years ago. It was sad but also great to listen to stories people were telling about the hurricane and the time right after it. It is amazing how these people had the courage to start from the beginning, because some of them basically lost their whole life, all memories and also maybe a beloved person.
I really enjoy all my volunteer experiences and I just can tell other au pairs: Just do it, you won’t regret it.
Contact us to view profiles of au pairs like Nadine and to learn how Au Pair in America can be a rewarding cultural experience and child care solution for your entire family.
