Tag Archives: options

Education Update 2021

Updated Aug 10, 2021Due to COVID-19, Au Pair in America has temporarily given approval for online/virtual classes, with a few conditions. Au pairs must still produce certificates or other acceptable documentation confirming the completion of the class. Classes must be offered by an accredited U.S. college, university or other post-secondary school and completed by 9/30/21. As of right now, the expectation is that after September, au pairs will resume in-person classes. This is always subject to change, depending on COVID numbers and whether local schools are offering in-person classes. If you have any concerns about in person classes, please contact Christine or Lisa.

If in doubt, ask your counselor to check if the school is accredited. All class hours must be completed by the end of your 11th month in the program if you wish to extend.

Online Class Websites – These platforms will list online courses all over the country. These courses come from a variety of sources and some are not accredited. You must be sure you are selecting a course that is from an accredited university.

*This class would be great for au pairs who have already taken or plan to take a PGCC Transition ESL class when things go back to normal. Those classes usually earn 50-60 hours, so this could be enough to complete your education requirement, in combination with one of those classes.

Photo: Nenad Stojkovic

Temporary Changes to Au Pair Education Requirement Due to COVID-19

UPDATED: July 31, 2020

Due to COVID-19, Au Pair in America has temporarily given approval for online/virtual classes, with a few conditions. Classes must be offered by an accredited school and the class must conclude by the end of 2020. Au pairs must still produce certificates or other acceptable documentation confirming the completion of the class.

If in doubt, ask your counselor to check if the school is accredited. All class hours must be completed by the end of your 11th month in the program if you wish to extend.

The following schools are offering online or virtual classes as of July 28, 2020.

ESL Specific Schools

Community Colleges

Other Languages

Weekend/U.S. Culture/Travel Courses

Online Class Websites – These platforms will list online courses all over the country. These courses come from a variety of sources and some are not accredited. You must be sure you are selecting a course that is from an accredited university.

*This class would be great for au pairs who have already taken or plan to take a PGCC Transition ESL class when things go back to normal. Those classes usually earn 50-60 hours, so this could be enough to complete your education requirement, in combination with one of those classes.

All Things American *NEW*

Click HERE for a great list of online courses on a variety of topics related to American culture and history. They are available through Coursera and are being taught by accredited colleges and universities. They range from 9-80 hours towards your education requirement and the cost is typically $49.

Photo: Ivan Radic

APIA Advantage Course – UCLA Extension Program

gaThe next UCLA APIA Advantage Course will run from February 6 – June 11. Registration is already open at www.uclaextension.edu/aupairs

The cost of the class is $500 and it satisfies the education requirement for au pairs or half the requirement for EduCare companions.

This 19-week course, specifically designed for au pairs who are required to continue their education as a part of their experience in the U.S., is offered in a blended format–partially a media-rich, self-paced online environment and partially an instructor-led, cohort-based model.

The interdisciplinary course of study includes:

  • U.S. History: Eras 1-5 (up to Civil War and Reconstruction), including mini-modules on economics and geography
  • English-language study, including weekly reading and writing exercises
  • Arts in the U.S., including virtual field trips and activities reflective of historical eras studied by participants
  • U.S. literature: the readings which reflect the eras studied in the U.S. history module
  • Career counseling and interest inventories to determine future directions for the participants.

Participants read lessons, write, share resources, network with one another, and collaborate on special projects, as well as explore web links, play games, and take virtual field trips, all designed to further their understanding of U.S. culture.

The Community Involvement segment of the program takes the au pairs into face-to-face contact with the community. Au pairs will relate these experiences to their academic coursework in American Studies Online.

For further information call (310) 206-6671 or email online@uclaextension.edu

Rike's Review of Sojourner Douglass Interior Design Course

Recently, I asked Rike, a German au pair in our cluster what she thought of the Interior Design Two Weekend Program she completed through Sojourner Douglass College.  Here is a review she was kind enough to write for me. 

I can tell you that I really liked the two weekend classes! I would recommend it to every other Au Pair because you can get your credits in a short time and you can choose more than just one class.

Next to your main course, you have different other little classes you can attend. And you have a big choice so there is something for every flavor.

sd interior class 2My main course was interior design which I really liked because next the theoretical part we were able to practice a lot. We learned how to create a floor plan with all the furniture, colors and lights. The homework for the second weekend was to make the same for a big family living room and then some of us had to present it. Next to this class, I picked for example digital photography, American holidays, travel Spanish, human development or yoga.

The teachers are very nice and really good and I never had the feeling to get bored although two full days of studying were very exhausting. The first day of study starts Saturday morning at 9am. Before that everybody arrives and gets their keys for the room. I liked the lodging a lot, the rooms are comfortable. You share it with another Au Pair.

sd interior classAt the first weekend I got to know one of the girls and we decided to take a room together for the second one. The food is also very good and abound. 😉 Between the classes you can always get a snack and there was a huge diversity for the main meals.

The studying part on Saturday ends at about 7 in the evening. After dinner there is a group activity with all Au Pairs and later they offer voluntary activities like karaoke or watching a movie. I didn’t join this because I was too tired. The second day also starts at 9am and basically ends at about 6pm.

The only thing I didn’t like was the homework (of course). We had to write a 5 page essay for both weekends and for the second one the floorplan in addition which was a lot of work and needed much time. But besides this, it is really worth it and for me it was better then to sit in a classroom one or to times a week or for a couple of hours at the weekends.

New Education Links Added

It’s time to start thinking about what you will do for the winter semester (starts in January.)  Don’t wait until the last minute or the class you want could be fully enrolled.

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Check out the new links under education options.  There are great options for everyone in our cluster.

If you scroll your mouse across the name of the school, you will see information on who this would be a good option for based on where in our cluster you live.

Reminder:

Au Pairs and Au Pair Extraordinaires need to complete 6 credit hours or 8 CEUs (continuing education units) or 72-80 classroom hours during their year.

Educare Companions need to complete 12 credit hours or 16 CEUs (continuing education units) or 144-160 classroom hours during their year.

Weekend Courses in Baltimore Area

I have had lots of au pairs take the Sojourner Douglass weekend courses and they have been very pleased.  They have told me that the instructors and staff are helpful and professional, the courses are interesting and the facilities are nice.  Below you will find information on their upcoming course offerings.

Sojourner Douglass College, Division of Professional and Continuing Studies

The Fall 2010 schedule is available and posted on the website.  The summer courses are filling up quickly.

New classes added this summer:

  • American Cooking
  • Interior Design: Shape, Color and Furniture Placement
  • Balinese Dance
  • Fencing
  • Computer Software Training
  • ESL: English as a Second Language
  • Emergency Preparedness for Childcare Providers
  • Cultural Differences
  • American Politics

2010 Schedule of Weekend Classes (subject to change based on enrollment)

July 10-11, 2010 American Culture and Personal Development

August 6-8, 2010 TOEFL Review- few slots remaining

August 7-8, 2010 American Language, Culture and Tourism

September 11-12, 2010 Child Development and American Government

October 9-10, 2010 Experiencing America

October 9, 2010 Infant and Child CPR and First Aid

November 6-7, 2010 American Culture and Personal Development

December 4-5, 2010 Understanding American Culture and Government

Two Weekend Program

  • Hospitality and Tourism October 9-10, 2010 and December 4-5, 2010
  • Child Care September 11-12, 2010 and November 6-7, 2010

To register visit our new website:  www.weekendprogram.org

Please note the location of Weekend Courses:

The Conference Center at the Maritime Institute

692 Maritime Boulevard Linthicum, MD 21090-1952

(410)-859-5700 Front Desk ext 0

For questions call Angela Garnett, Program Coordinator at 301-213-2404 or email: info@weekendprogram.org

Education Requirement

pgcc pic

Au Pairs need to complete:
6 credits or 8 CEUs or 72 classroom hours
Host family will pay $500 education allowance.

Educare Companions need to complete:
12 credits or 16 CEUs or 144 classroom hours
Host family will pay $1000 education allowance.

  • Au pairs should budget at least $200 ($400 Educare) of her own money to complete her education.
  • You must complete your educational requirement to be eligible to extend and to receive your completion bonus (if applicable.)
  • For each class completed, you need to turn in a certificate, transcript or letter from the college stating how many credits you received, course name, and dates of the class.
  • Classes must be taken at an accredited institution.
  • Check the links under Education Options on the right side of this page,  for the most current list of colleges and weekend courses and their links.

Community Colleges for Each County:
Anne Arundel Community College
Montgomery College
Prince George’s Community College

Additional Options, if you Have Access to Metro:
LADO College
International Language Institute
Georgetown Continuing Education

Weekend/Distance Learning Options:
Sojourner-Douglass Au Pair Weekend
Borough of Manhattan College
UCLA Au Pair in America Advantage Course