Tag Archives: cultural

Life in America – Candy

This is the first installment of a new series of posts asking au pairs about their impressions of life in America.  The first au pair to take part is WenWen (nickname Candy) from China.

Candy visiting Great Falls Park in Virginia

Candy visiting Great Falls Park in Virginia

5 Things that Surprised You Most About Life in the U.S.

  1. Good protection on nature environment (such as trees, parks etc.)
  2. Open minded
  3. Some things are expensive.
    • College and university tuition is really, really high, not only for international students, but for U.S citizens who are not in the same state as the college need to pay out-of-state fee.
    • Need to pay for everything, even prescription, and too expensive.
    • Mostly, need to pay tax for everything.
  4. Good education for children with special needs in school. The class I went to do volunteering has four kids, one teacher, and two or three educators; summer school for special needs children.
  5. Lots of NGOs (non-government organizations) and volunteers

Any of those things you were were surprised to find you like?

# 1, 4 & 5 above

Anything exactly like you had seen in American movies or TV?

People are open minded

Anything very different from what you had seen in American movies or TV?

The food was not delicious to me.  I thought it would be when seeing it before.

Best Experiences Living in the U.S.

  1. Have met lots of nice people  (no matter they are Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, etc.) everywhere I’ve been to.
  2. Went to a special education school and some NGOs to do volunteering.
  3. Have learned about Buddhism.

May you be well and happy!
愿我(您)无害,愿我(您)无怨,愿我(您)无恼,愿我(您)快乐!

Central & Southern Maryland Cultural Fair

ga globe

Local au pairs from countries around the globe, will share their cultures through visual displays, food samples, games and performances.  Children will receive passports and have them stamped as they visit each country.  There will be an “Around the World Scavenger Hunt” for kids with prizes. Admission is free.  If you have any questions, please post them in the comments below.

What:     Au Pair in America Central & Southern Maryland Cultural Fair
When:    Saturday, January 23, 2-4 pm
Where:   Bowie Library (Large Meeting Room)
15210 Annapolis Road (Rt. 450), Bowie, MD 20715

Update: We are doing a Service Project for Haiti, see details HERE.

Here is a video from last year’s Cultural Fair

City of Bowie International Festival is this Saturday

For the past several years my cluster has participated in the City of Bowie International Festival.  It is a wonderful event that brings people from all over the area who want to sample a variety of cultures from around the globe.  We provide free children’s activities.  Last year my au pairs had over 700 children visit our booth!!!

We are hoping for a sunny day on Saturday, so we will have lots of excited children stopping by for the activities we have planned.

Depending on when you stop by, you might join us to do one of the following:

  • writing your name in Thai or Chinese
  • coloring plastic butterflies
  • learning the colors in various languages
  • map games
  • flag games
  • making beaded bracelets
  • making tissue paper flowers
  • getting your hand painted with the flag of Germany or South Africa

Here are a couple of photos from last year’s event

International Festival 2008

International Festival 2008

International Festival 2008

International Festival 2008

The City of Bowie International Festival will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009, 11 am-5pm at Allen Pond Park, Northview Drive, Bowie, MD 20716.

Still Time for an Educare Arrival

An Additional Educare Arrival Date has been added, August 24!

Ines from Germany

Ines from Germany

If you are interested in a EduCare Companion for a summer arrival, there is still time to apply.

EduCare in America – 30 hours of child care for approximately $271 per family, per week. This cost-effective program is the choice for families with full-time school-age children who require care primarily during the early morning and after school hours, with some weekend and evening hours.

To consider EduCare:

  • You must live in one of the designated EduCare Communities*
  • You must have children in full-time school
  • You must be able to work with 30 hours a week (year round)
  • You must understand that their education allowance is $1000/yr
  • You must be able to work with the EduCare arrival schedule

*If you do not see your community listed, I still encourage you to inquire.  We are looking to expand EduCare and your community might be a possibility if it is already served by the standard Au Pair in America program.

2009 EduCareArrival Dates

  • Tuesday, July 7
  • Monday, July 27
  • Monday, August 3
  • Monday, August 17
  • Monday, August 24 (just added)
  • Monday, December 7

Here are some profiles of EduCare Companions looking for summer arrivals.

Apply Now and Save $450!

If you have questions about EduCare, post them here in the comments section.

Communicate with Your Host Parents

  • Share your ideas, discuss cultural differences and ask questions if you don’t understand.
  • If you have a problem, clearly and calmly present it to your host parents.  Suggest a solution, listen and try to reach a compromise.
  • Let your host family know if language is a problem.  If you don’t understand a word, ask questions.   That one word could make a big difference in what they are trying to tell you.