On Monday, August 7, 2023, Au Pair in America joined with international exchange participants and host communities across the United States to celebrate Exchange Day.
Founded in 2014 by the Alliance for International Exchange, this yearly celebration encourages us to embrace cultural diversity, give back to our communities and have fun! Exchange Day also highlights the impact of international exchange and the power that these programs have on numerous citizens across the country.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”… but first, lace up those shoes!
It has become an annual Exchange Day tradition for Au Pair in America to challenge our host families and au pairs across the country to get in the community spirit by donating new or gently used shoes for Soles4Souls, and 2023 was no exception. Our goal has been 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 nationwide collected hundreds of pairs of shoes to be donated to local people in need. Members of our team at our main office in Stamford, CT also got in on the fun, donating dozens of pairs of shoes to this great cause.
In addition to shoe collection efforts, Community Counselors also engaged their clusters in cultural exchange experiences. Sarah, a Community Counselor in Rhode Island, took a group of her au pairs and a handful of host families to a traditional belly dancing class.
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!
