Tag Archives: meeting

Au Pairs enjoy summer barbecue

Last week we met at my house for a relaxing summer barbecue.    Summer is a busy time in the au pair world with many new arrivals, good-byes, and summer vacation.    We welcomed Laetitia from France and Sina from Germany to our cluster.   We said good-bye to Julia who will return to Germany the beginning of September.   It was nice for the new arrivals to mingle with the more seasoned au pairs and get helpful tips from them.  That is one of the advantages of being part of an au pair cluster that meets each month.

Our get-togethers always provide an opportunity for cultural exchange.  While au pairs enjoyed traditional American barbecue dishes, they also shared food from their own country: Chinese salami and grilled vegetables as well as Thai desserts and specialties.  Around the table, we had a vivid discussion about the university experience in different countries.   Taking courses is an integral part of the au pair cultural experience.  Au pairs are required to take 6 credits or 80 hours in the classroom.   The new au pairs had a chance to talk with the more seasoned au pairs about educational possibilities in the Boston area.

For more photos from our meeting please visit barbecue photos

The outing that wasn't

This month I teamed up with two other local counselors and we planned a trip to Concord, MA.  The au pairs were going to start canoeing at the South Bridge and make their way to the North Bridge.  There, we were going to welcome them with a prepared picnic.    Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate that day and on the next day, which was the rain date.

We made the best of it and I met my group of au pairs for an inside picnic at my house.   We sat around my table and had good conversations.    These meetings are a chance for au pairs to talk about their experience as an au pair and bring up topics to discuss with the group.  It is often very helpful for them to hear others talk about an issue that they might experience.

We also got a chance to say good-bye to Nadege who will be going home to France after 2 years.   We welcomed two new au pairs, Mai and Meilikano to our group.   I always have the departing au pair say a few words about her experience and suggest sharing anything she finds helpful with the newer au pairs.

For more photos please go to June Meeting

Au Pairs visit the Prudential Center Skywalk

In addition to monthly meetings offered by each counselor to her au pair group, Au Pair in America counselors in the Boston area organize a regional event once a month that is open to all Au Pair in America au pairs in the Boston area.   This month, 50 au pairs joined me and two other local counselors for the Prudential Center Skywalk

View of Boston

View of Boston

Blue, sunny skies made for breathtaking views from the 50th floor.  Au Pairs were able to do an audio tour and learn more about the city of Boston and its landmarks.  They all enjoyed getting to know the city they chose to come to a bit better.  A true cultural exchange experience!

To see more photos of our regional event, please go to Skywalk 2011 or Heike’s Pictures

Boston Area Au Pairs go snowtubing

This January, our cluster met other Boston area au pairs to go night time snowtubing in Nashoba Valley.   We have  au pairs that come from countries that usually don’t get snow and many of them are excited to participate in winter activities.  After enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and treats, au pairs braved the elements and headed for the slopes.

For more pictures please visit Snowtubing 2011

Au Pairs visit self defense class in Arlington

This month, our au pair group visited “Not-Me” in East Arlington, where owner Erik Kondo held a “Beyond Awareness – Physical Assertiveness for the Street”  self-defense class.  The class focused mainly on non-physical aspects of self-defense, like the decision not to be a victim, situational awareness, one’s attitudes and appearance,  assertiveness, body language, boundary setting, and steps on how to de-escalate an aggressive situation.   Erik and his assistants took us through potential aggressive situations and we got to practice strategies that we had discussed earlier.

This month’s meeting satisfies the State Department mandated quarterly childcare/safety meeting.   It also supports Au Pair in America’s high standard for safety.   Erik’s strategies can be applied to every day life and hopefully most of us will find ourselves remembering some of the things he taught us to keep ourselves and others safe.

We even made it onto the “Not-Me” blog.  Check it out at Not-Me.

For more pictures of our meeting please visit Au Pair Self Defense

Harvard Tour 2010

Harvard University

Harvard University

Each month, Au Pair in America offers a regional event to au pairs in the Boston area.  It is another opportunity for our au pairs to connect with others and to learn about American culture.   This month, we offered a free Harvard Tour, led by a Harvard sophomore, Todd.  On a sunny, warm fall day, more than 50 au pairs attended and seemed to enjoy themselves.  Many of the au pairs are attending Harvard Extension School for ESL or other topics, because it is one of the affordable options for au pairs to satisfy their educational requirement.

At the steps of Widener Library

At the steps of Widener Library

Todd did an amazing job.  His voice was clear and easy to hear, which is important for au pairs.

He made a sincere effort to keep everybody engaged.

Bettinas cluster

Bettina's cluster

For more photos, please go to Harvard Tour 2010

Au Pair Barbecue

Barbeque Group

Barbeque Group

This month, my au pairs joined me for a traditional American barbecue at my house.   Despite a threat of rain and cooler temperatures, we had fun barbecuing sausages, chicken, pork and steak.  Side dishes included chips with guacomole and salsa, smoky pasta salad, sweet potato salad, corn and grilled vegetables.  For dessert we enjoyed strawberry mousse and fruit salad.

The summer is a big transition time in the au pair world.  Our meetings give new au pairs the opportunity to meet other au pairs in my group, and it gives us a chance to say farewell to au pairs who will be leaving.

For more barbecue pictures please check out June Barbecue

March Meeting: 50 Boston area au pairs visit the Prudential Center Skywalk

Beautiful view of boston

Beautiful view of Boston

Last Sunday, on a beautiful sunny day,  my au pairs joined other Au Pair in America clusters in the area for a visit to the Prudential Center Skywalk.   Au Pairs enjoyed a bird’s eye view of Boston and the surrounding area and learned a lot about Boston’s history during the audio tour.  Since the weather was so nice we had a great turnout and about 50 au pairs showed up.   When we organize our meetings, we try to keep the cost down for the au pairs.  Thanks to the Prudential Center Skywalk staff who got us a very affordable group rate!

Au Pairs at the Prudential Skywalk

Au Pairs at the Prudential Skywalk

For more photos of our meeting, please visit Prudential Center Skywalk Photos

Boston Area Au Pairs Celebrate The Holiday Season

Bettina's Au Pair Group

Bettina's Au Pairs Meet Santa

This week, several local Au Pair in America counselors joined forces and held a holiday party for their au pairs in Concord, Massachusetts.   Au pairs enjoyed an international potluck dinner, a visit by Santa, carolling in many different languages, and exchanging small presents.  Over 70 au pairs attended and seemed to enjoy sharing various holiday traditions.  Check out more pictures at Bettina’s Holiday Party Pictures as well as Tina’s Holiday Party Pictures

Brazilian Au Pairs sing a Christmas Song

Brazilian Au Pairs sing a Christmas Song

Boston Area Au Pairs Take Self-Defense Class

Au Pairs take self defense class

Boston area au pairs take self defense class

Au Pair in America counselors Bettina Velona, Joyce McGovern and Heike Kriszun thought it important for their au pairs to practice verbal and physical boundary setting.  That is why their November meeting took place at “Together in Motion” in East Arlington, where owner Erik Condo taught his Not-Me! self defense class. During the class, au pairs learned the 5D’s of self defense: decide, deter, disrupt,  disengage, debrief.   Erik’s class focused a lot on how to set verbal and physical boundaries with a potential aggressor and au pairs practiced different methods on how to escape an aggressor.

In order to assure quality service to host families and au pairs, Au Pair in America  counselors are required to hold safety meetings for their au pairs every quarter.  This class satisfies this requirement.

Check out pictures of this event at AuPairSelfDefense

For more information on Erik Kondo’s Not-Me! self defense classes, check out “Not-Me!”