Tag Archives: cross cultural

Holiday Lights and Magic – December 2023

The holiday lights sparkled, along with the spirits of au pairs from around the globe.  We shared the traditions from many of our home countries and got a little bit closer last Sunday.  Then we stole gifts…  In a lively white elephant, au pairs got into the spirit of the swap.  We had a fun time and walked away with a smile and another gift (if not the one we selected).  When you are far from home, it’s good to know you have a community of people who understand and are there for you.  Grateful for the kindness in this group toward one another in this holiday season and throughout the year.

Pottery Painting with Global Pals – November 2023

A group of our best and brightest artists painted their hearts out in our first ever pottery painting cluster meeting at the University Village shop, Paint The Town.  It was cathartic and relaxing.  And the au pairs got some beautiful keep sakes or gifts for the holidays.  Talent abounds in this crew!

Spooky Underground Touring in Old Seattle – Nov 2023

On Sunday, Oct 22 au pairs from two of the Greater Seattle area clusters dressed up for Halloween and hit the underground tour.  We learned of the history of the great Seattle fire, the diverse businesses that existed in the underground and how it is used in present day.  Great to spend some time together to meet the community.

APIA Global Community Day in Seattle – September 2023

Nearly 100 people, including host parents, host siblings and au pairs from around the globe joined their Seattle area Au Pair In America community to celebrate!

The au pairs brought down the house with a culture fair that had posters, food, dancing, language and all the smiles.  We had representative from Zimbabwe, Peru, Panama, France, Colombia, Brazil, China, South Africa, and Germany showing their colors and sharing themselves.  We enjoyed treats specially made from Colombia and Brazil and kids got to “travel the world” with their passports collecting country stickers. Host parents shared their stories about their friendships with au pairs and best practices informally with one another.  We had a nice (but small this year) water balloon toss game (so many families with babies and nap times made this a bit smaller this year).  The bigger kids colored, did word searches, a bingo diversity scavenger hunt, and got tattoos for kids of all ages.  After the event, they headed down to meet our new lady troll in West Seattle.  And the weather couldn’t have been better.  All in all, it was a lovely day for the world.

As American as Baseball – August 2023

As American as baseball…the remarkable APIA family of au pairs from all WA clusters gathered to watch the Mariners beat Kansas City in a sunshine filled stadium. We got to know one another a bit more in seventh inning stretch and won some big league chew. A gorgeous day of global, peace-seeking, adventure-driven community at the ball park.

Prizes and pizzas in a park – June 2023

What a nice day!  The weather was warm and the company warmer.  We played some get to know you, speed dating and trivia games and had, well, pizza in a park.  Gasworks is iconic Seattle and our community enjoyed one another and the day we were given.

Seattle Touring in our own Town – May 2023

A small but mighty group went touring in our own town.  We tried a new tour company and hit the streets to hear about what we didn’t yet know.  They told us great stories of Seattle octopus, revealed the real “first Starbucks” location, talked through the Seattle fire and the newly built city and told tales of a man named Ivar and his eccentric ways (leading him to start the first fish and chips chain in the city.).

The Future is Female – Gates Foundation and Au Pair In America – April 2023

Au pairs from China, Luxembourg, Guatemala, Thailand, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Poland, Germany, and South Africa gathered at Gates Foundation to learn about the work they are doing around the globe.  Our gracious tour guides expertly talked through the data on world hunger, equity, pollution, parental leave, sanitation and disease.  The young women of Au Pair In America (who will soon be adding their voices and efforts to the good fight for justice)  learned about birthing methods and patient treatment around the globe, as well as water free toilets ready soon for market to combat ringworm.  It was a great learning morning and wonderful part of this group’s journey while here in Seattle.  They had smart insights and intelligent responses.  The future is in good hands.

The Culture Shock Cure – Chocolate – Feb 2023

A good chocolate bar is a global effort.  Theo reminded us of that this past Sunday.  And a culture shock cure for au pairs might very well be chocolate.  Theo also agreed with us when asked this past Sunday.  A peaceful community is also a global effort.  APIA Au Pair representatives from Mozambique, Italy, Colombia, Thailand, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Luxembourg and Peru gathered together in the Fremont (the center of the universe) neighborhood of Seattle to taste and vote on their favorite chocolate bars.  The building itself once housed the first trolley cars in the city and then the first Redhook Brewery, but now the building is a buzz with chocolate and the global connections the au pairs brought.  And darn if chocolate and connection wasn’t delicious.

Strong Women Cheering on Strong Women – January 2023

Au pairs from all around WA came together to cheer on our local UW Women’s Basketball team.  We lost in overtime, but won in friendships and connections!  So many countries, it’s too hard to count.  Excited for in person and for a brand new year.