Monthly Archives: November 2016

Winter Sports & Sports Insurance

Is it risky to do winter sports without the sports insurance?

Photo: Snow Snow (Flickr)

                                                     Photo: Snow Snow (Flickr)

Yes. If you have to pay your own hospital bills for a broken bone, you might be shocked at how much that would cost. I checked this website for some cost estimates. Here are a couple examples:

  • Without medical coverage, to treat a broken arm or leg (that does not require surgery) it could cost up to $2,500.
  • Without medical coverage, to treat a broken arm or leg (requiring surgery) it could cost $16,000 or more.

Please ensure you understand how your medical coverage works for sports related injuries. There is a list of “high-risk sports/activities” that are not covered with the basic or upgrade medical insurance plans. Those activities are only covered with the Sports Insurance Package (also known as Option A.)

The Sports Insurance Package was available pre-departure and may also be purchased at any time during your year. It takes effect within 48 hours of your enrollment and it is good for 12 months. The cost will be the same ($85) whether you have a month left or your whole year ahead of you. I recommend you pay for it early on, if you didn’t already purchase it. You never know when an opportunity might present itself and you don’t want to miss out on an adventure. You also don’t want to take a risk on getting injured and being responsible for the bill on your own.

Below is a partial list of sports that are only covered with the sports insurance package:
Football, Rugby, Scuba diving, Ski-doo,  Wakeboarding, Skydiving, Parachuting, Rock climbing, Zip line, Skate boarding, Rollerblading, Roller skating,  Ice Skating, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowmobiles & Snowshoeing.  View the full list on page 3 of the insurance brochure HERE(2015 arrival au pairs) & HERE for (2016 arrival au pairs)
Note: Injuries sustained while partaking in these sports are covered with purchase of the Sports Insurance ONLY.

How to register for the Sports Insurance
Contact your counselor to get a copy of the Sports Insurance Enrollment Form. It takes a few days for your coverage to begin. If you think you will be doing any of these sports, you should get it now.

By Christine Connally

Special Webinars for Au Pairs

By: Kidsnotes APIA’s Host Family Blog

au pair webinars au pair education au pair in america

At Au Pair in America we offer monthly webinars for our au pairs. Why? These webinars, led by our Orientation Team, help au pairs learn about and manage life in America, and provide useful activities, insight and advice about children and child care. And au pairs can sign up for as many as they would like!

South African au pair Dezi shared with us why she enjoyed the webinars, why she recommends them to other au pairs, and her top three webinars!

Hey everyone! My name is Dezi Henning, and I am from South Africa and lived in Massachusetts for 18 months. I had some amazing experiences during my year and one of things that helped me with that was the webinars for au pairs. My friends from orientation, Jody, Joan and Sandee, are super cool and very helpful.

Why did I continue to join the webinars? The answer is pretty simple: I always learned something, and not just from them. The great thing is that you learn from the other au pairs too. I really encourage you to join the great webinars they offer so I will share my top three webinars with you!

3. 100 Activities You Can Do With School Age Children

Why? It is always helpful to have creative ideas for things to do with the kids, especially in summer. Again, other au pairs are on the webinar and share their own ideas as well.

2. Homesickness

For those times of the year when you really miss mommy, food or your room back home! Everyone gets some sort of homesickness at some point and it’s helpful to talk about it, especially with other au pairs. Even if you are not feeling homesick, you never know when you or a friend will need it!

1. It’s Up to You: Making the Most of Your Au Pair Year

This is an amazing webinar to help you make the best of your stay! Orientation Trainer Joan discusses managing your free time, your money and your circle of friends.

Questions? Contact us at (800) 928-7247

Veterans Day

Photo Credit: The U.S. Army (Flickr)

Photo Credit: The U.S. Army (Flickr)

Friday, November 11 we celebrate Veterans Day as a Federal Holiday. Veterans Day honors all American military personnel and veterans, both living and dead, in wartime or peacetime. It is is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service.

 
As you know from the Quick Reference Guide I gave each of you when you first arrived in DC, au pairs are not entitled to Federal Holidays. Many schools, banks and government offices are closed so plan accordingly.
 
Many confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a day for honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. Memorial Day is celebrated the last Monday in May.

The US Electoral Process

Photo Credit: Micheal Bentley (Flickr)

Photo Credit: Micheal Bentley (Flickr)

On November 8, Americans will cast their votes to elect their next President and Vice President. If you are wondering what the electoral process is like start by reading about the Electoral College linked below. If you’d like to do some fun election-oriented activities with your host kids, check out the Congress for Kids website.  Today, take a mental snapshot of how democracy works in the US and take time to reflect on the ways this process is similar and different from the processes in your home country.

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/links.html

http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_threebranches.htm