Monthly Archives: December 2017

Holiday Sharing – December 2017

Our crew came together to dine, draw, describe celebrations of home and dream of new adventures to have here in the US during the holiday season.  The au pairs cooked their hearts out and we shared goodies and stories from Thailand, Austria, Netherlands, Brazil, Sweden, France, China, Germany and Canada.  Stories of the beaches of Brazil, Chinese New Year, Austrian music and wreaths, French foie gras, German Krampus and Thai lanterns were a part of the evenings activities as was drawing on our heads, a white elephant gift exchange and packing up plates of cookies to savor later.  It was a special night with a special class of au pairs.

 

Culture Sharing for International Education Week – November 2017

Au pairs from many countries came together to talk about what their country and culture mean to them.  Practicing public speaking and educating one other was the goal for the day.  We heard about Brazilian beaches, French races, Austrian skiing, German town squares, Dutch cultural values, Chinese hotpots, Mexican pies (delicious recipe, Ana’s mom!) and Czech friendships.  I shared a cherish gift I received during my own time in Japan from an elder who wrote to me this Zen saying, “White cloud comes and goes and the mountain is blue.”  We talked about the challenges faced on exchange and remaining steady within ourselves.  On top of all this, we tasted pies that represented the US (apple pie), Washington state (marionberry pie) and Thanksgiving (pumpkin pie).  Pictured below, these strong young women who shared.

Avoiding Homesickness this Holiday Season

Homesickness can be a problem during the holidays, even if it hasn’t been at any other time of the year. Au pairs often miss their friends and family, familiar places and their own traditions and customs. The holiday activities in the United States seem, and may actually be, different just at a time when an au pair would welcome something familiar. 

It is common for au pairs’ emotions to be close to the surface during the holidays. Her highs are higher, her lows are lower. The enormity of what she has done–actually living in another country (which is an amazing thing when you think about it!)–hits her and throws her into a self-protective mode.

Host parents can help her through this unfamiliar territory by talking to her about what your specific family activities will be (gifts, meals, visitors, religious services, in-home traditions, or none of these, as the case may be.) In the spirit of cultural exchange, ask her if she has any favorite holiday traditions or foods that you might be able to incorporate into your family’s celebration of the season. Let her know what you will be doing, when you will be doing it, and what she can expect. Talk to her about what has to be accomplished and get her involved and interested. Don’t expect her to just “know” what needs to be done. Give her some clear, agreed upon assignments. Make her feel a part of things. And, let her know her contribution is needed and appreciated.

Photo: Sheila Sund (Flickr)