On Monday, August 4, 2025, 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 share the power of cultural exchange, give back to our communities and have fun!
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”… but first, lace up those shoes!
Each year, it is an Exchange Day tradition for Au Pair in America to challenge our staff, host families, and au pairs across the country to get in the community spirit by donating new or gently used shoes for Soles4Souls or volunteer their time, and 2025 was no exception! Our goal has been to focus on what it might be like to walk in someone else’s shoes — a meaningful part of our cultural exchange programs.
Exchange Day in Connecticut
Members of our team at the Au Pair in America main office in Stamford, CT got in on the fun, donating dozens of pairs of shoes to this great cause!
Exchange Day in Washington State
Au pairs and Community Counselors in the Seattle area met up in Arbor Heights Swim Club to celebrate the power of cross cultural exchanges and walking a day in someone else’s shoes. Shoes were donated, ice cream sundaes made, high jumps crushed, volleyballs volleyed and swim quizzes guessed.
Exchange Day in New York State
In Staten Island, New York, Community Counselor Lynore got her community involved via social media posts, encouraging local families to donate shoes for Exchange Day. She was thrilled to drop off several bags of shoes to her local DSW, a Souls4Souls partner.
Exchange Day in Texas
In the Houston area, Community Counselor Jennifer hosted her au pairs at Riva Row Boathouse for kayaking and, of course, a shoe drive!
Meanwhile, in Austin, Community Counselor Kacie took some of her au pairs for a group outing.
Exchange Day in Arizona
Organized by Community Counselor Allison, au pairs in Arizona collected shoes for a great cause!
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!
