Category Archives: Au Pair Info

Quick Start for Education- Now!

This is the start of the Fall semester!
Part of a successful year as an au pair includes your education requirement. You’ve heard about it at orientation, and, hopefully, thought about it already, but one way or the other, now is the time to act.

So how do you get started? Any of the Au Pair in America resources will give you all the details, but for a quick start, here are a few pointers that will guide you on the road to educational success.

Begin the process! Every accredited school has its fall schedule of courses available online and locally, schools are all in the registration period right now so get going! You may be able to register late, but classes fill quickly. Even if there is room available, it will cost you extra money and courses are already expensive, so this is something to avoid.

Think about how you want to fulfill the requirement. You can take one course or a few, travel, or become a student on an American college campus. Do you want to improve your English? That is a good place to start. This could be an opportunity to see another city by taking a travel course worth 3 credits, to explore new subjects that you have always been interested in, or to study a subject that you have already planned a career in. If you really have no interest in any of these possibilities, the UCLA online course is available for your 6 credit requirement. You have many choices, but there are other steps that you need to take before you are done.

Talk to your host family, your community counselor, and other au pairs. Ask your host family about the time in your schedule that is available for you to take courses. Your counselor will tell you whether a school is accredited. Other au pairs will give you their opinions about courses that they have taken.

Research the choices by using the Au Pair in America website (www.aupairinamerica.com) to view all the choices that other au pairs in your cluster have made. Select one or two classes that you would like to take, their cost, where and what time they meet. Then ask for a host parent or community counselor’s opinion.

Register after  you and your host parents have discussed the details.  This requires payment.  Since your host parents have some responsibility for the cost of your classes for the year, they will help you to register.

Participate! Now that you are a student on an American campus, enjoy it. Use the library, sit on campus, go to the bookstore, mingle with the other students. And above all, study! You’ll be proud of your success when the semester ends.

BOSTON STRONG

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How Americans Help

The most important thing now  is to understand that as horrific as this event was we are still safe to move about our normal days.

So many people have reached out to help the survivors.  As individual Americans we tend to donate to certain charities that help those who have been injured.  As Au Pairs it helps for you to be aware of the enormous efforts that are taken to help in time of crisis.

Since April 15th, both traditional and new organizations have offered help and support to those hurt physically and emotionally by the deadly blasts at the Boston Marathon.

The American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts says it’s served 5,000 meals and snacks. A new group, The One Fund, announced by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino, has been set up to get money to the families of those killed and most severely wounded.

Three people died in the explosions: 8-year-old Martin Richard, and Krystle Marie Campbell, 29, both of Massachusetts; and Lingzi Lu, a Boston University graduate student from China, and 176 were injured.

Here’s how we can help:

The American Red Cross, Eastern Massachusetts
Since Monday, the Red Cross has “provided about 500 units of blood and blood products to hospitals in the Boston area,” the organization says on its. “Blood supplies are currently sufficient to meet patient needs and people who want to give blood are strongly encouraged to schedule a donation appointment in the days and weeks ahead.”

The One Fund Boston
The will act as a central repository to “receive much needed financial support,” Gov. Patrick said Tuesday in a statement. “At moments like this, we are one state, one city and one people.”

Within an hour of the explosions, Mayor Menino said in a statement he had calls from business leaders and philanthropists “who  were heartbroken by the impact this hideous tragedy” had on individuals and families, and wanted to do something about it.

As of Wednesday, officials said, more than $7 million has been pledged to The One Fund by corporate partners and individuals. Individuals have contributed more than $500,000 so far.

The John Hancock company has pledged $1 million, and there are other commitments for contributions from the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox and Bain Capital.

On April 20, AT&T said customers who want to support One Fund can text the word BOSTON to 80108 to donate $10. The donation will be reflected on customers’ monthly AT&T bill.

The Amputee Coalition
Members from this are working with Boston hospitals that are treating patients. The coalition works regularly to raise awareness about amputees, create peer mentorship programs and has a summer program for children with limb differences. To learn more, visit the coalition’s main website .

Challenged Athletes Foundation

This is also working with those injured Monday. The group says  is to help those with physical disabilities pursue “active lifestyles,” and provide funding for adaptive equipment, hold clinics to build confidence and sponsor mentorship programs.

Make Way for Spring

clock-forward

March 10th: Daylight Savings Time. Be sure to set your clocks forward before going to sleep.  The kids maybe groggy this week as they adjust to the time change.  Please be sensitive to that as you go through the week.

imagesCAL2BJ2MMarch 17th: St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish holiday has been celebrated in the USA since 1737.  Traditional icons that mark the holiday:  Leprechauns, Pots of Gold, Rainbows, Shamrocks and the Color Green!  There will be local parades in many of our towns…Stamford, Danbury and of course in NYC.  It might be fun to go and experience this tradition.

March 25: Passover begins. Passover, also known as Pesach or Pesah, is a Holy Day, observed by several religions, begins today and lasts seven or eight days, depending on your beliefs.  It commemorates the exodus and freedom of the Israelites from Egypt.

March 31: Easter is an annual festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is always celebrated on a Sunday

Au Pair in America at the Head of the Charles Regatta

One of the most well known competitions of the international rowing world took place this past weekend on the banks of the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Over twenty au pairs gathered there to have hot chocolate and fudge brownies, while they people watched and cheered on their favorite teams rowing up the river in sculls, two person, four person, and eight member boats.

Olympic teams competed in fierce competition with their own best records, with each other, and with the increasing wind conditions. University teams such as the University of Washington and University of Virginia were au pair favorites and with all of the cheering and support, they both took first place in the Championship and Collegiate divisions respectively. Despite the cheering the cluster gave them, the Naval Academy did not fare as well.

Crowds estimated at over one hundred thousand lined the riverside from the Boston Harbor and the river basin all the way to Watertown, on both the Cambridge and Boston sides. To add to the festivities, the autumn foliage was in full display. It was a true New England day and as the sun began to sink, au pairs filtered off to enjoy the remaining Sunday evening fun.

Click here for pictures   Pics of Head of the Charles

2012 Olympic Games

Are you catching Olympic Fever?

Olympics

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE OLYMPIC RINGS?

The Olympic symbol consists of five interlaced rings of equal dimensions, used alone, in one or in five different colors, which are, from left to right, blue, yellow, black, green and red. The Olympic symbol (the Olympic rings) expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.

Here are some resources and activities for your children below.

First things first:

Keep track of the Olympic events here is the official website for the games:

http://www.london2012.com/

 

 

The games are on NBC. The viewing schedule:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/results-schedules/index.html

 

Olympic websites:

 

Kids Activities.net

This one has background info, crafts, games, and snacks.

http://www.kidactivities.net/post/Olympics-Theme-for-Kids.aspx

 

Project Britain:

This one has activities for older kids divided in subjects such as literacy, math, science, history, geography, art and design

http://projectbritain.com/olympics/teachingresources.html

 

Care.com

Information on indoor and outdoor activities including have an Olympic ceremony.

http://www.care.com/child-care-fun-games-to-teach-kids-about-the-summer-olympics-p1017-q17278398.html

 

Teacher planet

Lesson plans, worksheets, and activities

http://www.teacherplanet.com/resource/summerolympics.php

 

DC Olympic website with links to

Athens Perseus project, National Geographic and food from Ancient Greece

http://erikafranz.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/summer-olympics-summer-adventures-for-the-family/

 

British links teaching about the Olympics

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/apr/16/london-2012-olympics-teaching-resources

 

Printables

  1. 1. http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/summer_olympics.htm
  2. 2. http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/ss/summerolympics_all.htm

 

 

 

 

Massachusetts Drivers License for German Au Pairs

For Au Pairs with A German Driver’s License– How to get a Massachusetts License

German au pairs may obtain a Massachusetts drivers license without having to take the test. Please follow the following instructions (first in German- then in English):

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GERMAN INFORMATION: In Massachusetts benötigen Sie für die Umschreibung Ihren Pass, Social Security Number, den deutschen Führerschein mit Übersetzung und einen Registerauszug des Kraftfahrtbundesamtes. Bitte beachtet, dass die Uebersetzung des deutschen Fuehrerscheins keine VerkehrsverstoeBe enthalten darf. Anträge für Registerauszüge vom Kraftfahrtbundesamt können unter http://www.kba.de/cln_015/nn_125874/DE/ZentraleRegister/VZR/Auskunft/vzr__auskunft__inhalt.html heruntergeladen werden (wenn der link nicht funktioniert, bitte copy and paste…). Bitte drucken Sie das Formular aus und senden Sie es an die angegebene Adresse, zusammen mit einer Notiz, dass Sie Ihren Registerauszug in Englisch benoetigen und dass er an Ihre amerikanische Adresse geschickt werden soll. Dies kann bis zu zwei Wochen dauern und sollte daher zuerst beantragt werden.
Die Übersetzung Ihres Führerscheins wird im Generalkonsulat (3 Copley Pl # 500; Boston) vorgenommen. Bitten bringen Sie dazu Ihren Führerschein und Ihren deutschen Pass mit. Eine vorherige Terminabsprache ist nicht notwendig; die Gebühr beträgt derzeit 22,- US $.

Umschreibungsstelle in Boston: RMV, 10 Park Plaza (Transportation Building, T-Station Boylston oder China Town), Tel.: 617-973-8860. Anträge für Umschreibungen deutscher Führerscheine können dort nach vorheriger Terminabsprache erfolgen. Die Gebühr betraegt $100.

Führerscheinübersetzung und Registerauszug dürfen nicht älter als 30 Tage bei Beantragung der Umschreibung sein!
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ENGLISH INSTRUCTIONS: In order to convert your German license to a Massachusetts license you will need your passport, social security number, German license with the official translation, and a clear German driving record from the “Kraftfahrtbundesamt.”

1. Do immediately: Get your German driving record. Click on the following link http://www.kba.de/cln_015/nn_125874/DE/ZentraleRegister/VZR/Auskunft/vzr__auskunft__inhalt.html (if link doesn’t work, please copy and paste…) Print out the form and send it to the given address. You also need to include a note saying that you need the document in English and that they need to send it to your American address. It takes about two weeks so this should be done first.*

2. Wait the required two weeks in the USA: Apply for social security number in person.

3. Once you have your social security number in hand: Get your license translated: German Consulate Boston (3 Copley Pl # 500; Boston). Please bring your German passport und license. It is not necessary to make an appointment. The fee is $22.

4. Finally: Convert your license: RMV 10 Park Plaza, Boston (Transportation Building, T-Station Boylston or China Town). Call 617-973-8860 to make an appointment. The fee is $100 for the cost of the license.

*Please note that the driving record and translation may not be older than 30 days in order to be able to get your license converted.

November Line Dancing Kicks It!

Au pairs came together on a cold and darkening evening to dance the chills away, have fun, and get some exercise in the process! We saw several techniques that au pairs brought from their own dancing styles to incorporate into the traditional Line Dancing steps. With master instruction from an experienced cowgirl, everyone was dancing in no time at all! Check out our photos on photobucket!

Au Pair in America at Barefoot Books

Barefoot Books
Barefoot Books

Summer is a time of travel and adventure for children and adults alike. So, how can we travel to experience this sense of adventure, yet stay right in town? If you live in our area, it’s easy! Just step into the world of Barefoot Books at 89 Thoreau Street, Concord.

With the help of our au pairs from Canada, South Africa, Thailand, and Brazil, children visiting the bookstore have had the chance to visit the rainforests of Brazil and the north country of Canada, they’ve learned about the elephants of Thailand, and they have traveled along with a child living on the veld in South Africa. Au pairs have read engaging stories to the children and they have also happily worked with the children to create crafts related to a different group of countries each week during the month of July . This summer program at Barefoot Books has paired au pairs who want to teach about their own countries with children from far and wide who have come to the bookstore to step into another culture with an au pair. 

Look at the photos to get your own view of our au pairs and the children at Barefoot Books. Join us in August to visit with au pairs from New Zealand and all of Europe. Welcome to another expression of cultural exchange provided by Au Pair in America!


More Barefoot Books Pics

Cultural Fair April 30th

2010 Cultural Fair
2010 Cultural Fair

Boston Children’s Museum

11:00am – 2:00pm

On April 30th  Au Pair in America will be hosting their 2011 Cultural Fair at the Boston Children’s Museum.

Au Pairs from many of the countries Au Pair in America recruits from will be bringing our worlds together with fun activities, maps, music, flags and much more!

Sometime soon au pairs will be receiving an email inviting them to participate.  Please take a moment to look at last years photos below.  We hope to make this years event the best ever!!

2010 Cultural Fair