Category Archives: American Experiences

August Cluster Fun – Bert’s Diner and Sending Smiles

This month, we met up at the iconic Bert’s “fabulous 50s” American Diner for a cool American experience. We made funny and uplifting postcards to send messages of love and hope to children and their families battling cancer and other serious illness. Our au pairs created over 50 post cards for children in need at this event. 

We also continued our collection of new socks as part of our participation in Exchange Day, a nationwide celebration of the power of international exchanges! International exchange participants are joining their American hosts to “eat, play, and give” — sharing cultural diversity and American customs, to give back to their communities, and to have some fun. Click here for more information about the Sending Smiles

 

 

American Experiences – Goldpetal Farms Sunflower Maze

Several members of the Southern Maryland clusters had a lovely evening at Goldpetal Farms in Chaptico, MD! We braved the heat to find our way through the sunflower maze and enjoy the amazing floral display!

Au Pair in America at the US Capitol!

On March, 9th, over 600 Au Pair in America au pairs gathered on the steps of the US Capitol for a photograph, followed by tours of the amazing US Capitol building!

This building is the most widely recognized symbol of democratic government in the world. It has housed Congress since 1800. The Capitol is where Congress meets to write the laws of our nation and where Presidents are inaugurated and deliver their State of the Union messages.

Wonderful opportunity to literally walk in the footsteps of history! We had wonderful tours and time to capture photos!

“I was impressed by the architecture of the capitol.” – German au pair

“It was just amazing to see hundreds of years of history and to learn so much in just one tour. I’m so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to experience something as remarkable, the US Capitol.” -Jamaican au pair

“The height of one of the rooms (dome) was very impressive!” – German au pair

“The paintings and sculptures were very beautiful!” – German au pair

American Experiences – Thanksgiving

At Thanksgiving, we pause and express gratitude to others.  This year I want to thank all my au pairs and host families for the love and support they give each other every day.  I also thank each au pair for sharing with me and my family about their culture, for demonstrating their bravery for coming from far away places and giving so much to their host families and their friends in America.

loren-kerns-flickr

I appreciate the uniqueness of each of you. Your spirits, sense of humor, enthusiasm. It is an honor to be a part of your lives for this time and beyond. I love the relationships that have developed that last after an au pair returns home. I am thankful for the warm, caring host families in Southern Maryland who welcome some of the most wonderful young women into their homes and entrust the care of their children to them.  Host families who inspire, encourage, celebrate, cultivate and share their culture and customs. Host families that embrace each new au pair as a unique and special person. Host families that encourage an au pair to share her culture and customs and incorporate it to their family life. It is a beautiful thing to witness.

“The people-to-people ties and transfer of knowledge achieved through international education builds and sustains a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world that benefits the entire global community. International education and exchange is vital to our diplomacy efforts and establishes lasting ties between individuals today that translate into stronger relations between nations tomorrow.” -Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Evan Ryan

Some thoughts from au pairs current and departed about Thanksgiving:

“I didn’t know that thanksgiving was such a big holiday before I spent my year there. It was a really nice day. We started off with breakfast, cooking and baking in our pajamas and then we got ready and we were all dressed really chic and went off to my host mums part of the family in DC. There we had a lovely dinner with everything you can imagine! Everybody also had to say for what he or she is thankful, we were around forty people and it was so nice to hear about everybody.”

thanksgiving-dinner-plate-c-chan‘I was super curious on Thanksgiving and what it was like. It felt like something truly American and I had never tasted turkey or pumpkin pie before (which I had learnt you ate a lot of during Thanksgiving) since we went to Chicago and I got to meet a huge part of my hm’s family that was also something I really looked forward to! So the whole holiday was all food, food and some more food! And ALL kinds of pies! I believe there might have been around 7-8 different pies. I had a great thanksgiving!”

“Thanksgiving was actually one of my most favorite holidays in the states. We went to Ohio to spent it with family. Watching Macy’s parade while cooking the dinner and baking some pie. After eating the fantastic food watching some football and then of course some Black Friday shopping it was amazing!!”

“I really enjoyed Thanksgiving with my host family. It was as I imagined! So much food to try. Everyone got dressed up and shared what they were thankful for. It was so warm and special. The next day we began to prepare for Christmas. It was magical.” johnny-flickr

“I am really excited to be with the whole family. To see everyone gathered around the table. I am so happy thinking about the foods, some I have never tried. I am curious about pumpkin pie. I want to cheer football too and maybe shop on Black Friday!”

“I am looking forward to experiencing the traditions. All the family coming, sharing good things and food….my host mom says there will be so much food!”

I wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Photos by: Loren Kerns – Flickr, Cynthia Chan, Johnny – Flickr

Au Pairs Return for a Visit

Recently, three of my former au pairs, Atessa, Anna and Sophie (all visiting for part of the summer) planned a road trip to include a visit with me (Atessa & Sophie had been with the same host family. The family now resides in Philadelphia).
These lovely ladies brought along two au pair friends, Elise & Lea. Elise is an au pair with the host family for Atessa & Sophie currently! Such a joy to visit with them and witness how friendships grow through our program!

From Sophie –

“I loved going to the US as an au Pair with au pair of America. It was a great experience!
I loved my host family, my counselor (she’s the best!) And the place I stayed. I got to meet one of my best friends Anna. Also some really good friends, who have been the previous and the new au pair of my host family. I am so glad, that I got to meet all of these wonderful people and have a great time with them.”

Cluster Fun – American Experiences Corn dogs and Rootbeer floats!

We stopped by Sonic drive in for an American experience! Rootbeer floats and corn dogs! We also played games and worked on our Sending Smiles community service project! A poll of the au pairs found that 5 of them found the corn dogs yummy while 2 found them to be strange! On of our au pairs, from Jamaica, said they were, “Mmmmm, mmmmm, good!” We had four positive votes for the rootbeer floats! This week the au pairs hailed from Peru, Germany, Namibia, Jamaica and Poland!

American Experiences – Anna from Germany

 

I met up this week with Anna from Germany as she prepares to return home at the end of her au pair year. Among her loves from this year (after her host family) were catching and eating Maryland blue crabs, making friends from across the globe, and studying calculus at St. Mary’s College of Maryland! Anna also enjoyed many trips with her friends and host family! Best of luck, Anna!

Welcoming Leticia

Recently Leticia, from Brazil, arrived to Calvert County to be an au pair with a local host family! We encourage a warm welcome for every au pair and Leticia received a lovely one. A banner across her bedroom door greeted her as she arrived! Welcome, Leticia, looking forward to getting to know you!

Holidays & Vacations

“Rest and be thankful.” – William Wordsworth

Holidays and vacations are a great opportunity to rest, recharge and explore the U.S.

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer travel season. Here are some reminders about program rules regarding holidays and vacations.

Holidays

  • Host families are not required to give au pairs any specific holidays.
  • Each host family will make different arrangements on holidays, some au pairs will be off and others will be required to work.
  • Au pairs should not make plans for holidays without checking with your host family first.

Vacations

  • Au pairs earns 2 weeks of paid vacation during the course of her year. Work days = vacation days. 5 day work week = 10 days off. 5.5 day week = 11 days off.
  • Vacation time should be mutually agreed upon.
  • All vacation should be pre-planned (at least 4 weeks in advance.)
  • All au pair’s friends and/or family visits/vacations should be pre-approved prior to purchasing tickets.
  • If an au pair travels with her host family, it should be discussed in advance whether this is the au pair’s vacation or if she is working. Defined hours should be discussed. You should know when you are off duty and be able to plan appropriately.
  • If an au pair travels with the host family to work, the host family is required to pay for her transportation, lodging and meals.

Important: If an au pair is traveling outside of the U.S., she must have her DS2019 signed (travel validation) PRIOR to her departure from the US. More information about this may be found here on the Au Pair in America website.

Photo: torbakhopper (Flickr)

Au Pairs at the US Capitol!

This past weekend several clusters with Au Pair in America met in DC for a tour of the United States Capitol. This building is the most widely recognized symbol of democratic government in the world. It has housed Congress since 1800. The Capitol is where Congress meets to write the laws of our nation and where Presidents are inaugurated and deliver their State of the Union messages.

This was very exciting day for several hundred au pairs in our region as we received a very informative tour by our tour guide! Thanks to everyone that participated!