Nothing beats some fro-yo on a hot day regardless of international taste buds! Au pairs this month were treated to some tasty bites while we discussed the WA APIA Best Of’s. Best place to go with kids, best classes, best hikes, etc… A casual cluster event with friends during the heat of summer.
It was just a handful of us, but it was one of the most powerful cluster events of the year, I might say. We got to go deep and really get to know more about each other. What has been learned, what has been surprising, and what we hope is yet to come. Thanks to this group of powerful, brave global travelers who put themselves out into the world and are now discovering the power they always had inside of them, but maybe never knew so well. Seems fitting we had this chat at the birthplace of Seattle here on Alki-New York where the first European settlers landed (cried out of homesickness), but were met by Chief Seattle and a new life in this corner of the U.S.
What a gorgeous and fun day at the ballpark! Au pairs, thanks in part to a generous host dad who subsidized the seats to celebrate his son’s birthday and a host mom who gifted everyone with baseball caps, enjoyed a very American tradition. Our annual day at the ball park came complete with beautiful weather. Thanks to all who came out and all who cheered on their WA state baseball team, The Seattle Mariner’s!
Seattle is known for its rain, but we are lesser known for the beauty that comes from the rain. Au pairs, now making Seattle their home, have discovered a secret those of us who have lived here for years know all too well. Our springs are gorgeous. The Bellevue Botanical gardens hosted our hike last Sunday as we strolled about, reading how the city, not that long ago, was a gigantic blueberry bush and looked inside an Armenian American home from long ago – some of the first farmers from overseas making a life here on the Eastside. We capped the day with a conversation about summer safety. Along our day’s journey, we talked about homesickness and culture shock. Our walking opened the parts of our brains we needed to in order to support one another in this year’s emotional (but wildly rewarding) journey into self discovery through cross-cultural exchanging.
We were few on a Saturday afternoon when many others were resting or shopping or traveling, but we had a lot of fun. This dedicated crew came to NW Harvest to pack nearly 5000 pounds of carrots for hungry families around WA state. That translated to close to 4000 meals to food banks in and around Seattle.
These ladies shared the social services found in their home countries and we discussed the US system. I do believe nothing was solved that day, but families were fed and that is action enough! Proud of these women for sharing their valuable free time to contribute to this cause. I certainly hope they are proud too. Even in a hair net.
The au pairs gathered at the Gates Foundation this month to bear witness to all the good works being done around the world and learn about US American philanthropy. The Gates Foundation made our international community feel right at home amongst those who cherish the idea of helping and understanding one another better on this planet we all share.
Au pairs gathered in my home to think about their new year’s resolutions, get to know one another more and discuss conflict resolution skills. (We really just had a nice, long brunch together as a family away from family!)
New Year’s resolutions included: saving money, being more positive, playing more sports, studying more English, taking a course that helps a resume, extending the program on the east coast, traveling more, making more friends, meeting as many people as possible, passing the TOEFL, reading one book per month, having fun in Canada, meeting more au pairs, planning the travel month, jumping from a bungee, shopping less, seeing a friend in Atlanta, learning as much about the US as I can, teaching my host kids more about my culture, staying true to myself and becoming confident, making the best of the rest of the au pair year.
A group of our dedicated au pairs came together in a host family’s home in Kirkland this season to be together as a community. We shared stories and holiday traditions (including home made delicacies from around the globe). We then partook in a white elephant where everyone was on their best behavior and stole nothing! Afterward we discussed how to overcome homesickness and hot travel spots were shared. Wishing everyone a magical season here in the US, sharing and learning all that you can.
International Education Week (IEW) has been designated as Nov 14-18 by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It comes just before the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. This was a celebration of two cultures and their peacefully learning about one another’s differences, starting from a common ground with the most basic of human needs. Food!
Our Greater Seattle cluster event this month focused on how to best share their culture, gathering for our own “non-traditional” Thanksgiving dinner at IKEA. We had more meatballs and mac-n-cheese than might be found at most host family tables perhaps, but we enjoyed a shared meal none-the-less, and spent some time learning about each other and the important cultural stories we hold dear.
Young women from Croatia, Sweden, Portugal, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, and Brazil shared sports jerseys, picture books, money, candy, chocolate, common holiday traditions and thoughts on their exchange year in the US. The hope now is that they continue to share. With families. With one another. With their childrens’ classrooms. With a boys/girls club. With a church group. With a library. At a birthday party. Anywhere. With anyone. After all, cultural exchange is the name of our game and what makes our world an exciting place. APIA provides tools via our Global Awareness program.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my 20 year career within J-1 visa programs has been in watching young women from around the globe test their inner strength and find their outer voice. Yesterday this group below did just that. The fear of public speaking crosses cultures, so we talked about how to best overcome this – practice. The goal of the J-1 visa is to gain a cross cultural understanding, but then ensure that learning is spread to others. These ladies spoke out loud and proud and are just getting started in making this world a better place.
Click here to read more about Global Awareness, a program of Au Pair In America.
Click here to read more about the State Department’s IEW events and how people on visa exchanges around the US are sharing cultures and appreciating differences.
