Author Archives: Annie Stauffer

Around the World – Peru

Peru has two official languages: Spanish and Cuzco Quechua. There are now over 8 million  Quechua speakers in South and Central America. Twenty-five percent of all Peruvians speak Quechua, and many of them speak no Spanish.

Here are some English words derived from Quechua, which was originally the language of the Incas: coca, condor, guano, gaucho, guanaco, Inca, jerky, lagniappe, lima [bean], llama, pampa, puma, quipu, quinine, quinoa, and vicuña.

Try some Spanish language activities. This site includes an on-line English-Spanish picture dictionary and an on-line Spanish-English dictionary, as well as information, quizzes and pictures to color!

Around the World – Costa Rica

COSTA RICA

Central America
Capital: San José
Languages: Spanish
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity
(Roman Catholic)

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Costa Ricans are seen as very happy, and that’s why Costa Rica is considered the happiest country in the world!
  • Costa Ricans are very friendly, helpful and warm.
  • “Pura Vida” is the best phrase that describes Costa Ricans – it means be positive and enjoy life to the fullest!

FUN FACTS:

  • Costa Rica is a quite small country. The population is only 4.5 million, and you can travel from one side to the other in 14 hours.
  • Costa Rica has no army as it was abolished in 1949 – they love peace!
  • Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity, even though its land mass only takes up .03% of the planet’s surface.

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?            Como estas?
  • Fine, thanks.:              Bien, gracias.
  • My name is…:            Mi nombre es…
  • Nice to meet you.:       Gusto en conocerlo.
  • Thank you.:            Gracias.

Around the World in 80 Days – Pierogis

Flashback –

In preparation for Christmas, Patrycja, from Poland, currently residing in Southern Maryland, and her host dad spent all day making traditional Polish pierogi!

She said, “I wasn’t sure if we can actually do it since I’ve never made pierogi by myself before, but we did it!

‘Pierogi z kapustą kiszoną i pieczarkami’ one of the things Poland is most known for! (Sauerkraut and mushrooms)

My mom offered us her help (from Poland), so we had the greatest pierogi maker on our side 😁 We ended up with almost 100 pierogi!

I am really really proud of us and I’m glad I could contribute to this Christmas with a little bit of my own culture!”

Around the World in 80 Days – Colombia

COLOMBIA

South America
Capital: Bogota
Language(s): Spanish
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity

 

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Colombians are very warm people and are willing to open their homes and share their lives with people from around the world.
  • Colombians tend to be quite extroverted and sociable, as well as playful and cheerful.
  • Colombians like to look after other people.

FUN FACTS:

  • Colombia is the home country of many famous people such as Shakira (singer), Carlos Vives (singer/actor), John Leguizamo (actor), Sofia Vergara (actress), and the famous writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
  • The Andean condor is the national symbol of Colombia. The female Andean Condor has fine feathers on its head that resemble hairs, and a “furry collar” of white feathers. But the most distinctive features are the bright red eyes, which give the condor a malevolent cast.
  • Colombia has quite a successful soccer team and has been to the FIFA World Cup five times so far.

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?       Como estas?
  • Fine, thanks.       Bien gracias.
  • My name is…       Mi nombre es…
  • Nice to meet you.       Placer en conocerte.
  • Thank you.       Gracias.

Learn more about Colombia!

Photo by: Eric Kilby {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Romanian Apple Cake

Ingredients

  • 800 ml milk (3 ½ cups)
  • 4-5 tablespoon sugar burnt
  • 1 kg apple (2 ¼ pounds)
  • 5 eggs
  • 5 tablespoon sugar
  • Vanilla (about 2 teaspoons)
  • Cinnamon (about 1 teaspoon)
  • Raisins (1/2 Cup)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  1. Put the 4-5 tbsp. sugar in a middle size pot and let the sugar burn.
  2. Mix 5 eggs with 800 ml milk and with 5 tbsp sugar
  3. When the sugar is caramelized add the combined milk and sugar in the pot and add cinnamon, raisins and vanilla to taste
  4. In that milk mixture add 1 kg apple without skin and cut in medium parts.
  5. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10-15 minutes until the top is brown.
  6. Turn the pot with the cake inside an a large plate. You can decorate with whipped cream.

*To Make a cake by 4 eggs:

  1. If you make with 4 eggs, you have to separate the white part of the eggs from the yellow part.
  2. In a bowl beat the whites until stiff but not dry.
  3. In another bowl mix the yellows with 5 tbsp sugar.
  4. Mix all that together with 5 tbsp flour and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Be careful and mix slowly.
  5. Put this batter in the pot after the apples are brown.
  6. Bake in a 375 grade oven for 30 minutes or till a wooden toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Turn the pot with the cake inside an a large plate. You can decorate with whipped cream.

Submitted by Renata Moca 2003, au pair in Illinois

Photo by: Shari’s Berries

Around the World in 80 Days – China

CHINA

East Asia
Capital: Beijing
Languages: Chinese (written), Mandarin (spoken)
Predominant Religion(s): Buddhism

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS: 

  • Diligent, hardworking and modest: these words are often used to describe Chinese people.
  • Collectivism is a norm in China. Chinese love group activities. Winning honour for the group is something to be proud of.
  • Chinese tend to be reserved when it comes to showing affection in public.

FUN FACTS:

  • Despite its size, China only has one time zone!
  • While the dragon is typically seen as an evil creature in Western culture, it holds first place among the four greatest creatures in Chinese mythology, along with the phoenix, tiger, and tortoise. It is typically associated with the emperor.
  • Once known as the “Kingdom of Bicycles,” now China owns the most number of electric bikes. There are over 200 million e-bikes in China!

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Nǐ hăo ma?
  • Fine, thanks.               Wŏ hĕn hăo, xiè xiè.
  • My name is…:             Wŏ de míng zì shì…
  • Nice to meet you.      Hĕn gāo xìng yù jiàn nĭ.
  • Thank you:                  Xiè xiè.

Family

  • Usually grandparents live with their children and grandchildren, so there are three generations in one house. Grandparents will also share the responsibility of bringing up the children. The Chinese value peace and wholeness of a family. As an old Chinese saying goes: “A harmonious family can lead to the success of everything.”
  • Chinese families attach a lot of importance to the traditional holidays, and parents like to arrange large family meals with their children.
  • Children are encouraged to develop and learn new talents such as music, calligraphy, dancing and so on from an early age.

Photos by: Stephanie Kroos {flickr}; UI International Programs {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day, observed on July 1st, is a national holiday marking the anniversary of Confederation in 1867, when the British North America Act came into effect. … This act united three colonies into a single country called Canada within the British Empire.

CANADA

North America
Capital: Ottowa
Language(s): English, French
Religion(s): Christianity

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Canadians are patriotic, but perhaps don’t express this as openly as US citizens.
  • Every province is known for its own individual traits.
  • It’s common for young people to be involved in sports and outdoor activities. Hockey tends to be the most popular sport across the country, but soccer, baseball, football and basketball are very popular as well.

FUN FACTS:

  • Most Canadians actually do not say ‘eh’… but it can happen occasionally!
  • Canada is the second largest country in the world, stretching from the Pacific in the west to the Atlantic in the east; and from the Arctic Ocean in the north, to the Great Lakes in the south.
  • Canadians always like to talk about the weather, and are quick to reassure you that it actually doesn’t snow all year round, except in the Far North.

Poutine:

Poutine is a dish that includes french fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. It originated in the Canadian province of Quebec and emerged in the late 1950s in the Centre-du-Québec area. It has long been associated with Quebec cuisine.

What Canadian au pairs have to say about the APIA program:

“It is the most rewarding experience I have ever had. My host family really has become my extended family. It’s your opportunity to make the most of – it’s only going to be as good as you make it!” – Tessa, au pair from Canad

“Please do it, it will change your life for the better! A great experience!”– Megan, au pair from Canada

Photo by: Traci {flickr}

Camp Au Pair – Science / STEM

This week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Science (STEM).

Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to all things science, technology, engineering and math can be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Science (STEM) pinboard. Try some of these great ideas!

Virtual Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. Here are a few places to visit virtually, that fit this theme:

Videos – On YouTube you can find many great videos of with science experiments to do with kids. You can also check out Steve Spangler Science lab videos! Check out the cool slime art!

Movies – The Lego Movie, Big Hero 6, Wall-E and Hidden Figures all fit the STEM theme.

Webcams – You can do a google search for science websites with webcams. Here is a collection of 22 science webcams from around the world.

 

Books – Stop by your local library and look for books on science, technology, engineering and math.

  • Clouds encourages children to look up at the sky and observe the clouds in order to find out what the weather will be. With simple text and folk-art style illustrations, this colorful picture book introduces 11 different types of clouds according to their positions in the atmosphere.
  • Roll, Slope, and Slide is a simple concept book that describes the different kinds, uses, and benefits of inclined planes and ramps. Includes an activity.
  • In a Guatemalan village, the tiny schoolhouse desperately needed expansion. When the money ran out before the project was finished, someone had a creative idea: Why not use readily available soda bottles for the walls? The Soda Bottle School teaches children that thinking outside the box can lead to the perfect solution.

Photos by: Lars Plougmann {flickr}, Frank Starmer {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Fried Bananas (Malaysia)

Fried Bananas – Pisang Goreng

Ingredients

  • 3 Bananas (Just ripe but not overripe)
  • 1 teaspoon of Fine Salt
  • ½ cup of Water
  • ¾ cup of Multi-purpose flour
  • Cinnamon Sugar/Brown sugar
  • Confectioner’s white powdered sugar
  • Cooking oil (for deep frying)

Instructions

  1. Peel bananas and slice them into mouth size.
  2. Heat oil in wok or electric deep fryer (300F).
  3. Mix flour and salt and water together. Stir until there are no more beads of flour. Add water accordingly, as needed.
  4. Marinate the sliced bananas in the flour mix.
  5. Once the oil is heated, place each banana into the wok. Deep fry until golden brown.
  6. Drain excess oil and serve with dashes of powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar/brown sugar.

Contributed by Enk Hwa Tan, au pair in Illinois 2004

Photo by: Yosomono {flickr}

Around the World In 80 Days – Chile

CHILE

South America
Capital: Santiago de Chile
Language(s): Spanish
Religion(s): Christianity
(predominantly Roman Catholic)

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Chileans are extremely hospitable, relaxed and warm. They are always interested in learning from others and very proud of their country and its natural beauties.
  • Chileans have strong family ties. All over the nation there is a feeling of spontaneous solidarity to help those in need or affected by any natural disaster.
  • Personal care, honesty, and affection are also very important.

FUN FACTS:

  • Chile is the longest country in the world from north to south at 2,647 miles (4,620 km) long, and it extends across 38 degrees of latitude. The Andes Mountain Range extends the entire length of the country north to south.
  • Chilean Patagonia is one of the cleanest places on the planet
  • Chile has the world’s largest reserves of copper – around one quarter of the global supply, and is the number one exporter of copper in the world. Chile also has the second largest reserve of lithium and has substantial reserves of iron, silver, salt, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, gold, coal, and iodine.

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?        ¿Cómo está?
  • Fine, thanks.        Bien, gracias.
  • My name is…        Mi nombre es…
  • Nice to meet you!        Encantado de conocerlo/a
  • Thank you.       Gracias

Photo by: Melenama {flickr}