Tag Archives: children

Host Family and J Day 2016

We had another big turn out for the APIA host family day at Lincoln Park this year in Seattle (over 150 people) and yesterday we combined an Au Pair In America 30th birthday with a celebration of J Day where au pairs from several of our 60 countries represented made dishes from their countries and families donated over 30 pairs of shoes for the Goodwill.

Cultural exchanges have always been at the heart of our US foreign policy and the State Department remains steadfast in its support of intercultural friendships through the J-1 visa programs.

“J Day is about celebrating the exchange visitors who enrich our local communities each year.  They not only bring the world to our hometowns and boost our local economies – but also give back to our communities in meaningful ways.”

 

To our host families and their children, we want to thank you for opening your home to a virtual stranger, for helping your au pair with her English, her driving, her homesickness.  For trusting us to find her and to support your program together.  Hosting takes courage and an open mind.

And to our au pairs, we also want to thank you for traveling across the world for this program. For trusting us to find you a warm, loving home. 85% of last year’s au pairs nationwide said their au pair year was the greatest year of their life thus far. We thank you for allowing us to be on this journey with you.  A journey that also takes great amounts of courage and an open mind.

#CelebrateJDay #eatplaygive

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Together, We are Stronger – June 2016

Well, we thankfully saw no cougars, but we also saw little water on our hike to Coal Creek Falls (too late for much more ice to melt, so falls were a nice, dry picnic spot).  Our crew took the many different paths leading up to the Falls and discussed the American culture – the surprises and the challenges.  Newly arrived au pairs also received some good advice from au pairs headed home after almost a year.  The discussion reminded everyone what an individual journey cross-cultural exchange can be at times, but that if we stand together, we are stronger!

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Mariner’s Baseball Fever – May 2016

A crew of 60 au pairs headed to the ball park to enjoy a game (with amazing seats heavily subsidized by a generous host dad to celebrate his son’s birthday!)  We watched from a view just above third base as the Royals and Mariners went head to head.  Our team lost, but the sunshine and smiling community of international friends made us all winners.FullSizeRender-13

Falling for Snoqualmie – April 2016

The world went to Snoqualmie this month to see the power of the falls, breathe the fresh air of the state and hike as a community of international friends.  South Africa, Poland, Brazil, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Mexico, Thailand, Germany, Sweden, New Zealand and Costa Rica all representing!  We capped our luxurious hike with a summer safety quiz – clearly all passed with flying colors.  Summer, we are ready.FullSizeRender(3) IMG_0558

NW Harvest Helping – March 2016

Our au pair community is strong and mighty and we always have a meal.  We are lucky that way and learned about the thousands of hungry in our state of WA, helping NW Harvest make a difference in a few lives by working in the warehouse on a Saturday.  These strong ladies from 10 countries packed up 5,800 pounds of corn that would equate to 4,461 meals around our state.  APIA was thrilled to be a part of something bigger than any one of us that day.  Thanks, North West Harvest!

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Gates Foundation, An American Tradition – Feb 2016

The au pairs headed this month to the Gates Foundation to hear about the work this important group is doing both here in WA and abroad.  The interactive museum and our guide helped to focus our attention on the areas of most concern such as clean water, malaria and education.  The work done by the Gates family and US. entrepreneurs throughout our nation’s history made for an interesting back drop on the current capitalist discussion and how this idea of altruism differs around the world.  Through simulations, we were able to try our own hand at lifting and envisioning how children would carry water to their village for miles and make it last for a full day.  We might now better empathize with the need for resource management and shut off the tap when we brush our teeth each day.

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Baking our Wishes at 425 Degrees – Jan 2016

Our au pair cluster – and a big portion of our au pair cluster! – came to my home last Sunday to make some 2016 wishes, symbolically bake those wishes into a topping and eat those delicious 2016 wish pizzas.  After this ridiculousness, we just talked about taxes.  It was just a fun party with girlfriends in the new year.  Thanks to all those who brought a dish and came this past Sunday.  That is a fine group, right there.

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Christmas “logs”, cookies and elephants – December 2015

A very wonderful APIA holiday party this year happened on Sunday with 9 countries represented!  We shared stories and holiday traditions (cakes baked with special treats for future tamale purchasers, summertime Santas, mean Krampus, posadas, reyes magos, pinatas, caga tios and to look out when walking the streets of Thailand in summer if it’s a water throwing day…).  Deliciously buttery cookies, spicy mango pops, triple chocolate cakes, marzipan, shortbread and so much more.  Wishing all you ladies a magical season here in the US, sharing and learning all that you can!

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Exploring – Today in Seattle and Tomorrow in ? – November 2015

Au Pairs headed indoors this month to hear about all the exploring they could do (and then they explored).   A Trek America representative came to speak about the tours they offer. By the notes taken, I think many are headed to Hawaii!  Au pairs who are seeking potential travel companions also shared timing to travel.

We then discussed our favorite spots in WA to explore which included:

Mt Rainier; Gasworks Park, Lake WA, Snoqualmie Falls, Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Downtown Seattle, UW and the Issaquah mountains.

And finally, we headed underground for a tour of Seattle version 1.0 before the big fire.

A great community day and thanks to all who came out.
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Enjoying Here While We are Here – September 2015

“We should enjoy here while we’re here, ’cause there’s no here, there.”

Nearly 80 au pairs representing over 20 countries and their counselors ascended the Paradise trails of Mt Rainier this past weekend.  It was a glorious day of color and laughter and a wonderful time was had by all!

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