Au Pair Chatter

The next UCLA APIA Advantage Course will run from February 6 – June 11. Registration is already open at www.uclaextension.edu/aupairs

The cost of the class is $500 and it satisfies the education requirement for au pairs or half the requirement for EduCare companions.

This 19-week course, specifically designed for au pairs who are required to continue their education as a part of their experience in the U.S., is offered in a blended format–partially a media-rich, self-paced online environment and partially an instructor-led, cohort-based model.

The interdisciplinary course of study includes:

• U.S. History: Eras 1-5 (up to Civil War and Reconstruction), including mini-modules on economics and geography
• English-language study, including weekly reading and writing exercises
• Arts in the U.S., including virtual field trips and activities reflective of historical eras studied by participants
• U.S. literature: the readings which reflect the eras studied in the U.S. history module
• Career counseling and interest inventories to determine future directions for the participants.

Participants read lessons, write, share resources, network with one another, and collaborate on special projects, as well as explore web links, play games, and take virtual field trips, all designed to further their understanding of U.S. culture.

The Community Involvement segment of the program takes the au pairs into face-to-face contact with the community. Au pairs will relate these experiences to their academic coursework in American Studies Online.

For further information call (310) 206-6671 or email online@uclaextension.edu

Recently, I asked Rike, a German au pair in our cluster what she thought of the Interior Design Two Weekend Program she completed through Sojourner Douglass College.  Here is a review she was kind enough to write for me. 

I can tell you that I really liked the two weekend classes! I would recommend it to every other Au Pair because you can get your credits in a short time and you can choose more than just one class.

Next to your main course, you have different other little classes you can attend. And you have a big choice so there is something for every flavor.

My main course was interior design which I really liked because next the theoretical part we were able to practice a lot. We learned how to create a floor plan with all the furniture, colors and lights. The homework for the second weekend was to make the same for a big family living room and then some of us had to present it. Next to this class, I picked for example digital photography, American holidays, travel Spanish, human development or yoga.

The teachers are very nice and really good and I never had the feeling to get bored although two full days of studying were very exhausting. The first day of study starts Saturday morning at 9am. Before that everybody arrives and gets their keys for the room. I liked the lodging a lot, the rooms are comfortable. You share it with another Au Pair.

At the first weekend I got to know one of the girls and we decided to take a room together for the second one. The food is also very good and abound. Between the classes you can always get a snack and there was a huge diversity for the main meals.

The studying part on Saturday ends at about 7 in the evening. After dinner there is a group activity with all Au Pairs and later they offer voluntary activities like karaoke or watching a movie. I didn’t join this because I was too tired. The second day also starts at 9am and basically ends at about 6pm.

The only thing I didn’t like was the homework (of course). We had to write a 5 page essay for both weekends and for the second one the floorplan in addition which was a lot of work and needed much time. But besides this, it is really worth it and for me it was better then to sit in a classroom one or to times a week or for a couple of hours at the weekends.

Time is running out to register for the Spring Session of the APIA Advantage Course through UCLA.  The class begins is March 28.

This class is a great option for:

• Serious students who want to master a university level class and earn credits from a major US university.
• Those who are curious about the events that have shaped culture and history, and who would like a taste of the part women have played in US history.
• Those who want to get involved and be a part of the community where they live.
• Self-starters who will make the most of a more flexible, independent style of learning.

Looking for ways to satisfy your education requirement?  Have you thought about the APIA Advantage program?  By taking this course, you can complete your education for just $500 (or half of the requirement for EduCare) and learn so much about America and the community where you live.  The next session will run from March 28 until August 1,  2011. There’s still time to enroll. Register at www.uclaextension.edu/aupairs

It’s time to start thinking about what you will do for the winter semester (starts in January.)  Don’t wait until the last minute or the class you want could be fully enrolled.

Check out the new links under education options.  There are great options for everyone in our cluster.

If you scroll your mouse across the name of the school, you will see information on who this would be a good option for based on where in our cluster you live.

Reminder:

Au Pairs and Au Pair Extraordinaires need to complete 6 credit hours or 8 CEUs (continuing education units) or 72-80 classroom hours during their year.

Educare Companions need to complete 12 credit hours or 16 CEUs (continuing education units) or 144-160 classroom hours during their year.

Sis-U International is a seminar series developed exclusively for Au Pairs and cultural exchange students by Kathy Korman Frey, faculty at the George Washington University School of Business, Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

Who takes the class? Au Pairs and cultural exchange students of all different backgrounds. All students want to:

• Enhance leadership skill
• Think entrepreneurially
• Develop skills for career success
• Meet other Au Pairs as part of their cultural exchange experience
• Meet DC business women as part of their cultural exchange experience
• Have fun, be creative, and contribute to the class experience

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Where: GW’s Foggy Bottom Campus near 22nd and G streets NW in Washington, DC.

When: 1/27- 3/31, 8 to 10 pm (please fill out SIGN UP form for updates. A second Saturday (12-5 pm) series of sessions is being considered for students who live in Ashburn, Baltimore, and other places farther away from DC.)

Hours: 36 hours per semester. A letter will be provided to all participants confirming their participation. University credit is not provided. Cultural exchange students: This class fulfills 36 of your 72 hours of required education.

* In addition to homework, there is approximately one hour required each week for group meetings outside of class.

Price: $350 via check and $362 via credit card (click link in box at top of page “Register and pay for…)

Course material cost: $40 for course workbook which will serve as a life-long leadership skills book beyond the au pair experience.

*Access to a computer and phone each week will be required.

Instructor;  Kathy Korman Frey, GW School of Business faculty member and founder of the Hot Mommas Project research initiative. Click for bio.

I have had lots of au pairs take the Sojourner Douglass weekend courses and they have been very pleased.  They have told me that the instructors and staff are helpful and professional, the courses are interesting and the facilities are nice.  Below you will find information on their upcoming course offerings.

Sojourner Douglass College, Division of Professional and Continuing Studies

The Fall 2010 schedule is available and posted on the website.  The summer courses are filling up quickly.

New classes added this summer:

• American Cooking
• Interior Design: Shape, Color and Furniture Placement
• Balinese Dance
• Fencing
• Computer Software Training
• ESL: English as a Second Language
• Emergency Preparedness for Childcare Providers
• Cultural Differences
• American Politics

2010 Schedule of Weekend Classes (subject to change based on enrollment)

July 10-11, 2010 American Culture and Personal Development

August 6-8, 2010 TOEFL Review- few slots remaining

August 7-8, 2010 American Language, Culture and Tourism

September 11-12, 2010 Child Development and American Government

October 9-10, 2010 Experiencing America

October 9, 2010 Infant and Child CPR and First Aid

November 6-7, 2010 American Culture and Personal Development

December 4-5, 2010 Understanding American Culture and Government

Two Weekend Program

• Hospitality and Tourism October 9-10, 2010 and December 4-5, 2010
• Child Care September 11-12, 2010 and November 6-7, 2010

To register visit our new website:  www.weekendprogram.org

Please note the location of Weekend Courses:

The Conference Center at the Maritime Institute

692 Maritime Boulevard Linthicum, MD 21090-1952

(410)-859-5700 Front Desk ext 0

For questions call Angela Garnett, Program Coordinator at 301-213-2404 or email: info@weekendprogram.org

If you arrived in October, November or December, you have some deadlines coming up.  Please read the information below.  If you have any questions, let me know.

EXTENSION PACKAGES

Below are the due dates and deadlines for the Extension Program:
Arrival Date November 2009 – Extension Package Mailed: June 29, 2010
Deadline to send in Extension Package: August 18, 2010

Arrival Date December 2009 – Extension Package Mailed: August 3, 2010
Deadline to send in Extension Package: September 22, 2010

RETURN FLIGHT PACKAGES

Please submit your flight request before the deadline to avoid the late fees. Instructions on how to request your return flight, the departure dates and flight supplement fees* are available online here.

*Many au pairs will have flight supplement fees, depending on the departure and arrival cities they select. Please check the website and make plans to save money, if you will need to pay a flight supplement fee.

You can view your return flight details here, four weeks before your departure date.

Arrival Date November 2009 – Return Flight Package Mailed: July 13, 2010
Deadline to send in flight request forms: August 18, 2009

Arrival Date December 2009 – Return Flight Package Mailed: August 17, 2010
Deadline to send in flight request forms:  September 22, 2010

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

I must have this information for you to receive the completion bonus on time at the end of your year. Completion bonuses are mailed 2 weeks prior to your contract end date.  It will arrive in the mail in the form of a debit card, not a check.  Acceptable proof of education: certificate from college, letter from teacher or registrar on college letterhead, transcript.  Au pairs who submit their education late will not receive their completion bonus until after they return home.

Arrival Date October 2009 - Deadline to send me proof of education completed: August 16, 2010

Arrival Date November 2009 - Deadline to send me proof of education completed: September 13, 2010

American Studies Online is a 19-week media-rich, mostly self-paced online course of study. Designed specifically in cooperation with the American Institute For Foreign Study’s “Au Pair in America” program, UCLA Extension’s course offers successful participants 6 quarter units (4 semester units) and a certificate of completion from UCLA Extension.

Participants will read lessons, engage in activities, write, share resources, network with one another, and even collaborate on special projects – all designed to further their understanding of US culture.

The Community Involvement segment of the program takes the au pairs into face-to-face contact with the community. Au pairs will relate these experiences to their academic coursework in American Studies Online.

The interdisciplinary course of study will include:
• US History
• Arts in the US
• US literature
• Career counseling
• English language study (optional)
• TOEFL preparation (optional)

Each group is assigned a “Course Manager” who acts as an “online concierge” to provide high levels of service to ensure a rewarding and trouble-free educational experience.

For course descriptions and current schedule, visit http://www.uclaextension.edu/aupairs
For further information call (310) 206-6671 or email online@uclaextension.edu