Tag Archives: cultural exchange

International Education Week and a “Sort of” Thanksgiving – November 2018

We had an important week last month in the year of a J-1 visa exchange – IEW was Nov 13-17!

This taken from the Department of State link:
International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences. Learn more about it here:


https://eca.state.gov/programs-and-initiatives/initiatives/international-education-week

In light of this IEW, our cluster event was about how best to share our cultures. Thanksgiving itself was the celebrations of two cultures getting to know more about one another, starting from common ground with the most basic of human needs. Food!  Nearly 40 au pairs brought money, flags, stories of their sisters and grandmothers, and many other items that represented home to them.  And one au pair from Brazil shared how she shared – her tips and tricks for the Global Awareness presentations that APIA supports and encourages.  Thank you, Danielle!

Mutual respect for diversity and this inclusive community are inspirational to watch in action.  That, after all, is the heart of the Thanksgiving holiday…

The Yearly Rite of Passage on Our Volcano – September 2018

Au pairs ascended the Mt Rainier volcano this past Sunday and another class of young women came down from that mountain stronger than ever.  We had a nice day getting to know one another on the long bus ride there, playing a state trivia game and sleeping on the bus ride home.  These pictures tell the rest of the story…

 

Au Pairs Fall for the Falls – Snoqualmie, that is – April 2018

What was more gorgeous – these falls or the new found strength of these globally-minded women?  Au pairs headed to see the famous Snoqualmie Falls this past sunny Sunday.  We “hiked” down the hill, allowing the strong water to mist our faces as we talked about the impact of the program and the confidence and voices gained when challenged by differing languages, cultures and styles.  We bid a fond farewell to three special friends from Poland, Germany and China who had great advice for the group.   To paraphrase, “Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid.  This year will be what you make it!”

Hairnets on their Heads and Sunshine in their Hearts – March 2018

Below is a gorgeous group of giving girls.  This past weekend was beautiful outside and here in Seattle, we wait for those sunny, winter days.  But this crew went inside and for their precious time off, helped pack thousands of pounds of peas for those hungry around WA state at NW Harvest.  It is not the most popular of our cluster events, but it is a favorite for those who feel its true meaning and impact on the community this global village shares together for one or two years. 

 

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.

 

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)

Hints for Success – Overcoming Homesickness

Almost everyone experiences homesickness and culture shock to some degree, when they come to live in a completely new environment. So much is different and it takes time to adjust.

It is normal to miss your own family, at home. Try to remember that they support you and want you to make the most of this experience. They will enjoy learning more about the U.S., through your eyes, as you share your adventures with them.

Top 5 Tips for Dealing with Homesickness

1. Make Friends – Don’t wait for other au pairs to reach out to you, reach out to them. There are other lots of new au pairs who are feeling the same way you are right now. Set a goal to reach out to a few of them each day. Some will respond and some will not. Don’t let that discourage you. No one will ever be mad at you for sending them a message to say hello or ask if they want to do something together. Make friends from various countries and you will also get a chance to practice your English skills together.

2. Stay in touch with your home country, but not too much. Skyping or talking on the phone every day with your family and/or friends back home normally makes homesickness worse. Try emailing instead and reduce the Skype and phone calls to once a week, until you feel stronger. It’s much harder seeing the faces and hearing the voices of those you miss.

3. Get out of the house (or your room specifically) – Go to cluster meetings, have coffee or movies with other au pairs, join a gym, go to the library, go for a walk, visit the mall, get a manicure, visit a museum. If someone invites you out, say “yes.” Also, don’t be afraid to do the inviting. If your host family invites you to do things with them, say “yes.” This will help you get to know each other and contribute to your overall happiness.

4. Realize that it definitely gets better – All au pairs experience homesickness and the vast majority of them get through it, stay and have a successful year (some even extend for a second year!) So, it must get better, right? Once you get past the initial homesickness, most au pairs report how quickly the year goes by.

5. Make Plans – Create your own Au Pair Bucket List (places you want to go, new foods to try, new things to experience during your year in the U.S.) and start doing them now. Post on our cluster Facebook group to find others who may want to join you on your adventures.

Photo by:  Shimelle Laine (Flickr)

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