About
Let me introduce myself. I am Victoria Paton, the Community Counselor for MDP – the Potomac Shoreline Cluster of Au Pair in America. I have been a CC for 10 years and enjoy helping Au Pairs and Host Families during their year(s) together.
I, myself, have been an exchange student at an age similar to that of my Au Pairs: When I was 16, I won a competition to study in Arcachon, France and lived with a host family (so I know about homesickness). When I was 20, I spent a summer in Oxford, England studying Philosphy and living with a super host family (with whom I am still great friends and the Godmother of one of their children) and in 1981, at 21, I studied for a year at the London School of Economics where I lived in a hostel for “Commonwealth Friendship”. From 1982-84 I was the first exchange student sent by the University of Connecticut to study Chinese/teach English at Beijing Normal University (so I know about culture shock). During that time and for an extra year, I stayed in Beijing to open the Representative Office of Cummins Diesel Engines while working each week as ground staff for the one British Airways flight to Beijing at that time. I later opened the Beijing Office of China Travel Management. After China, I spent an extended period of time in India where I founded a non-profit educational organization for children in Chenai.
After completing my MBA in International Marketing at Indiana University, I was hired as Sargent Shriver’s Personal Assistant when he was Chairman of Special Olympics International. I was in charge of special events, celebrities and dignitaries who were involved in that great cause working with entertainment personalities, heads of state and numerous Olympic gold medalists. I worked closely with Mr. Shriver to arrange details of many high profile meetings, sponsorship events, participation in Special Olympics International Games and, occasionally, writing speeches.
I was very fortunate to stay home with my sons for eight years with live-in childcare from India. So I am very comfortable with the Host Family role and understand what it is like to welcome a young person into your home who is not familiar to the culture or language.
Despite being a stay-at-home mom, I was always busy with their school, volunteering and running events. So when the Au Pair position became available I was delighted to be chosen as the Community Counselor for Potomac and then Bethesda, MD by Au Pair in America. Being a CC combines my experiences living with a host family, hosting childcare from abroad, being a mother, running a business and organizing events.
As Community Counselor, I have traveled to Canada, China, South Africa, Germany, England, France, Mexico learning about these countries many of our Au Pairs call home, and teaching our counterparts in those countries about the job of a Community Counselor and how we assist both Au Pairs and Host Families after an Au Pair arrives in the US.
It has been the best of all worlds!