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 Mijin Kim. Mijin is an au pair from South Korea living with her host family in North Carolina and a State Winner for the 2016 Au Pair Community Service Awards. She shared the following about her volunteer work teaching English as a second language.
The organization I am volunteering at is International House. My job here is a Teacher’s Assistant. My main role is to lead the class with the teacher. We discuss activities and some issues together. I also check the attendance and try to find what students need and help them learn English in better ways.
As soon as I was given this volunteer job, the whole world looked very different and a lot better. And I could not hide the excitement for a while. By the time I turned in the application for this volunteer work as a Teacher’s Assistant for ESL class, I was not expecting I would get the chance to have an interview. I wanted to give it a shot, because I did not want to have regrets about not even trying. Finally, I did, and I got through the interview! I was very nervous and anxious during the interview. I can’t forget the moment the interviewer was offering me this position and I couldn’t help screaming!!
Let me tell you why I was very excited and extremely happy about it. The place I am volunteering at is not only where I can meet Americans but also where I can meet people from all over the world and all the people there are trying to provide services that non-American citizens need, especially immigrants. I was fascinated by what the organization does, and I wanted to be part of them and help people learn English. I also had a hard time learning English, especially speaking was the hardest. I thought I could help people understand what it feels like to learn a new language in a new country.
Now, I love to volunteer here as I can meet people with all different backgrounds at all different ages. Every time I help the class, I learn new points of view and cultures. I am very glad that I have this chance to feel the diversity! (That’s part of the reason why I like to hang out with lovely au pairs with all different cultural backgrounds, too!)
In addition, I feel productive. I used to teach in Korea, which can mean this is what I am confident of doing. When the students seem to like my ideas, I help them understand better and at least I do something for them. I feel like I am doing something meaningful and it feels great!
Here at International House, I learned American work culture in addition to American life. It is more multiracial compared to the work environment in Korea, and very supportive here. I was still worried about the class, although I passed the interview, but the director helped me out and encouraged me a lot. People tend to talk with others casually and give more compliments, which I found different from most Korean work environments (although I can’t generalize it all about all of them).
I do appreciate the chance to become an au pair. I would not have imagined myself teaching English in America! I hope everyone else can get the chance to volunteer out there and feel great.
Contact us to view profiles of au pairs like Mijin and to learn how Au Pair in America can be a rewarding cultural experience and child care solution for your entire family
1 comment
Congratulations Mijin! So proud of your accomplishments as an au pair and cultural exchange going both ways!