On Monday, August 1, 2022, Au Pair in America joined with international exchange participants and host communities across the country to celebrate Exchange Day. Founded in 2014 by the Alliance for International Exchange, this annual event encourages international exchange participants and American hosts to celebrate cultural diversity, give back to the community and have fun! Exchange Day also highlights the power of international exchange and the impact that these programs have on countless citizens in the United States.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”… but first, lace up those shoes!
This year, Au Pair in America challenged host families and au pairs across the country to get in the community spirit by donating new or gently used shoes for Soles4Souls. The goal was to focus on what it might be like to walk in someone else’s shoes, particularly those in need of footwear all over the country.
Our Community Counselors across the country collected hundreds of pairs of shoes to be donated to local people in need. Team members at Au Pair in America’s head office even got in on the fun, donating dozens of pairs of shoes to this great cause.
Jean Quinn, Au Pair in America’s Director says, “Each year APIA holds a nationwide shoe donation campaign for Exchange Day. Walking in each other’s shoes is the best way to understanding.”
How do you celebrate the power of international exchange? What do exchange programs mean to you? Why do you feel they’re important?
Leave us a comment or connect with us on social media to share your stories and be inspired by others!
1 comment
Donated a few pairs of ilse jacobsen shoes ( https://gritroutdoors.com/ilse-jacobsen/ we’ve bought it, but it didn’t really feel that good, so those were just sitting around anyway), great event overall! Hopefully there are something similar this year too 😀