Nothing better than the power of a strong woman! We were 110 au pairs strong from around the globe watching these young UW college basketball athletes. Our joint cluster event was an inspirational success this January. Go Huskies! http://gohuskies.com/index.aspx?path=wbball
Our community gathered in Kirkland this season to share holiday traditions, sweets and gifts. Thanks to a generous host family who opened their home, we snuggled up with hot cocoa, socks, hats and trees to play games and reconnect. It’s tough to be far from home during this season, but being together, makes it that much easier. 
We had an important week last month in the year of a J-1 visa exchange – IEW was Nov 13-17!
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…
Au pairs gathered at the Emerald City Trapeze Arts Studio to enjoy an amazing (and really spooky) show. Strong women from Costa Rica, Brazil, Germany, Austria, South Africa, and Poland watched as more strong women from around the globe dazzled us with their balance and strength. (The guys were pretty good too.) Taking their cues from popular music and movies and music movies, the performers were true artists. It’s a lesser known fact that Seattle hosts one of the largest circus school in the US, but these au pairs now know the truth.
This gorgeous group humored me and my phone’s new portrait mode as we strolled through the Bellevue Botanical gardens. These young women from around the globe, some just arrived, some headed home after a year, ate ice cream and summer safety quizzed. It was casual and it was nice.
A smaller group of au pairs headed to the lake to have brunch and soak our toes just talking and another crew headed to show their support and experience the Pride Parade in Seattle. The lake crew discussed some highlights and lowlights of their experience so far on program and what they have learned, experiencing all of them. We shared cross-cultural frustrations, memories of travel adventures, and personal growth moments. I personally appreciate the small group setting for getting to better know one another, but also loved there being a group experiencing the zeitgeist of Seattle.
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!”
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. 
How many branches does the US government have? How often are Senators elected? What date is the President sworn in every 4 years? These and many other questions were answered in our video presentation and trivia game last weekend in Redmond. Au pairs walked away with more knowledge, but were admittedly impressively wise from the start! Then we ate pizza…
