Stars and stripes

 

 

I love sharing stories with friends and family, au pairs and colleagues, about the various festivities that I had the chance to celerate during my time in the states. This Friday is a special day for our beloved Americans, namely 4th of July (Independence Day for the USA), and here's how I experienced the celebrations:

 

Let's start out with how I shared this with my hostchildren. My oldest hostchild made sure to teach me the "must know facts" and I remember the two of us reading a textbook stating the historic facts. My youngest hostchild, still at pre-school, brought back coloring templates and other arts and crafts that we kept busy with. I think this is a great example on one of the many times I shared, a true learning experience and cultural exchange, with the two of them.

 

The actual day of July 4th I was fortunate enough to spend with my American friends. On the agenda was bar-b-queing, while enjoying the company of good friends, live music and the Californian sun shining on us in Dolores Park in downtown San Francisco.

You will often hear how Americans come across as somewhat patriotic, at least more so than what most of us Northern Europeans are used to. In my oppinion and to my delight, this was very much true during the occasion of 4th of July. Everyone was dressed in patterns of stars and stripes, shimering in blue, white and red. Singing about the waving flag. As the sun started to set behind the hills of San Fran, we changed locations and soon found ourselves on a rooftop, overlooking the Golden Gate to the left and the Bay Bridge to the right. From here we had the perfect view while watching the enormous firework display. And yes, it's one of those very special moments, that I will forever remember, and smile when I do.

 

With this being said, I want to encourage you all, to take the opportuniy to take part in, learn from and celebrate the festivities that comes as part of your au pair experience in the States.

All the best,

Amy

Top 8 reasons on why to become an au pair!

I decided to list out few reasons why I think becoming an au pair is basically the most awesome thing ever! Do you feel there is anything else that should be added to the list?

1. Become fluent in English
While being an au pair in the USA you will be using English in your every-day communication - with your host family, with your host children, with your new friends and even when visiting the local grocery story! Before you notice, you will be dreaming in English. Being fluent in English will definitely help you in your future in your studies or with your future profession!

2. International experience
Being an au pair in the USA is the best kind of international experience that you can have! Many employers appericiate when an applicant has experience from abroad, and it will definitely make you stand out! Being an au pair means also that you are fluent in English, you are organized and work hard! Many of our au pairs want to work with children in the future, as teachers for example, and while being an au pair you receive a lot of experience from being full-time with children, and you will be able to see from their side how they grow and learn new things!

3. New friends - from all over the world
Cultural Care Au Pair has offices in over 20 countries all over the world and we have au pairs travel to USA weekly who are about to start the same adventure as you! Meeting new people starts already at our au pair training school!

4. New family
While being an au pair in the USA you will become an irreplacable part of your host family. You will be living under the same roof and live the everyday life together. You will spend many great moments with your host family - including for example many American holidays such as Thanksgiving! You will also be there for many moments with the children - maybe their first steps or their first day of school! After your time as an au pair in the USA you will have two families - one back at home and one in the USA.

5. Travel in the USA
Every au pair has two weeks of paid vacation as well as also an additional month to be spent traveling in the USA after you have finished your time as an au pair. These times are great to spend exploring other parts in the USA as well! Maybe you will be taking roadtrips to the neighbouring states with your new au pair friends during weekends? Maybe you will take a long weekend and visit some friends in another state who you met during your first week at the training school? Make sure to explore what Manhattan looks from the top of the Empire State Building, if Chicago is as windy as they say, what it feels to drive through the Golden Gate or to swim with dolphins in Florida?

6. Cultural exchange
One of the main points of our au pair program is cultural exchange - you will become part of the American everyday life and through that learn about the local culture. You will maybe experience your first Halloween or your first Thanksgiving, you will get to experience if Americans are as social as they are rumoured to be and if everything really is bigger in USA as they say? Since this is about cultural EXCHANGE you get to also bring in your culture - what are you going to be telling about your home country and your culture? Maybe during Christmas your family will not be only eating American Christmas foods?

7. Study in the USA
One of the requirements of your J1 au pair visa is that you have to take minimum of six credits (72 hours) at a local university. Have you always wanted to study photography? Maybe you want to learn the basics of Spanish? Maybe you want to really see if marketing is something you might be studying after your time as an au pair? Remember, that your host family will pay up to $500 towards your studies. Studying at a local university is a great way to meet local people as well as experience the American university life!

8. Learn more about yourself and become more independent!
Going as an au pair for many of our au pairs is the first time that they move away from home - and for even more it is the first time they will be living abroad! While being an au pair you will become more independent and often grow up to become more social. After your time as an au pair you will absolutely have easier time to make decisions, take risks and I can guarantee - you have learned so much more about yourself!

Do not forget to share your own thoughts as well! Make this adventure to happen NOW!