My au pair life in the USA

This is the last part, read the first part A great match with a Chinese Au Pair , the second part Waiting for a Chinese Au Pair arrival and the third A Chinese Au Pair story.

The Au Pair from China Hui continue her story.

by the Chinese Au Pair Hui

My sister visited us and spend Chinese new year with us. She is always welcome, kids like her!

Amazing!We are watching the NBA game live Rockets vs Brooklyn! This is my host dad’s present for us for our birthday!

At the beginning, Au pair has a lot of things to figure out, but don’t worry too much, you are not alone!

For the new life, I need to figure out a lot of stuff, like open a bank account,  get a social security number, find my classes, get a driving license…my host family help me a lot. Right now I got my driver license. And I’m taking a fine arts classes and  English class. I really enjoy my classes and enjoy everything here. Thanks！

My last words:  The kids love Hui, Gregory gave Hui the offer to continue with the family for another year. Hui is always busy taking care of the kids, teaching them and having fun together. The kids love Hui, she became the big sister and the family member.

Also, Gregory and kids have become a great family for Hui, they help her to adjust to the life here, to improve her English, they include her in all activities. Gregory helped Hui to start driving in the USA.  An iPad 5, Gregory’s present Hui when she arrived in the US,  became one of her favorite things. Gregory and kids are always ready the help Hui and her twin sister.

A Chinese Au Pair story.

This is the third part, read the first part A great match with a Chinese Au Pair and the second part Waiting for a Chinese Au Pair arrival.

The Au Pair from China Hui is sharing her story after being an Au Pair 7 months in the USA with a single father Gregory and his two kids.

By the Au Pair Hui.

Time goes by so fast, it is already half of the year since I came here. I still remember after Au Pair training, in New York,  my host dad drove me from New York home. We got home and waited kids from a school bus. That was my first time really see them.

They really look more cute and beautiful than on Skype : ) !Look, Nina almost as same tall as me.

Awesome! This is my first time for Halloween!

They were writing Chinese calligraphy. Every Sunday we go Chinese school together, and I also help the kids learn Chinese at home.

Do something funny. Ha, Ha, Ha!

They like dumping so much! We tried to make dumping by ourselves. We were successful! They look great and delicious,  right?

My host dad always drives me to the station while I go to visit my sister. Every time he and kids wait for the train with me and until I get on the train.

Stay tuned for a new entry My au pair life in the USA

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Waiting for a Chinese Au Pair arrival.

This is the second part, read the first part A great match with a Chinese Au Pair.

In July 2012,  a single father with two kids, Gregory invited an Au Pair from China to join his family. The children stayed with his grandparents during the summer. Gregory was very busy preparing for a new life.  Several weeks later, by the time school started,  the new Au Pair Hui arrived to the US.

 

I would say that Gregory’s family and Hui are a great match.  Hui has a very caring personality and she bonded with her host children quickly. As a Local Area Representative, I noticed right away that Hui is a great addition to Gregory’s family.

The Au Pair  Hui has a lovely personality and a beautiful smile.  She has many talents, and is always ready to help without asking. She likes traveling and taking many great photos.  Hui has made a lot of friends.

Hui is very intelligent, attentive and caring person.  She is also a modest person, very nice to others and puts others before her.  Hui became a big sister, a caring family member and the kids will remember her forever.

During our meeting, the eight year old Henry came close to me and shared that Hui is a very good Au Pair. I believe him.

Stay tuned for a new entry A Chinese Au Pair Hui story.

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A great match with a Chinese Au Pair.

This month China is Go Au Pair’s featured country (a special discount  available for the families who match with an Au Pair from China), therefore I would like to post another story about a great Au Pair program experience of a family who matched with a Chinese Au Pair.

Last summer Gregory L, a single father with two kids who lives in Bucks County, PA, shared his story on my blog. Many people left comments on my blog and asked me to follow up on what happened.

Gregory started his story with explanation why he consider an Au Pair for childcare,” My wife was from China and stayed home with the children.  Then, in early April 2012, she was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer. Sadly, she passed away three weeks later after surgery to try to remove the cancer.”

Gregory said, ” While no one is going to replace their mother, having someone like a big sister, someone who could bridge both cultures, seemed like a viable alternative”.

Gregory learned that many single parents considered the Au Pair program and contacted Go Au Pair agency in spring 2012. During the next few months Gregory was continuously looking,  reviewing and speaking with many Au Pair’ candidates to find a mature and responsible Au Pair from China.

Go Au Pair agency is a leading agency for Au Pairs from China.  Go Au Pair’s Placement Coordinator Amanda and I kept in touch with Gregory almost daily.  Finally, Gregory found the one  he was looking for – a lovely, kind Chinese Au Pair named Hui who has a lot of experience with kids and had worked in orphanages.

After speaking many times with Hui on Skype, Gregory gave her an offer and Go Au Pair agency made arrangements that Hui would arrive to the US as soon as possible.

While waiting for Hui’s arrival, Gregory was very busy with many projects: remodeling the house, buying new furniture and amenities for Hui’s room.  The kids were helping to decorate the Au Pair room for Hui, drawing and preparing welcoming pictures.

Gregory and the kids were waiting for Hui’s arrival with anticipation.

Stay tuned for a new entry Waiting for a Chinese Au Pair arrival.

Au Pairs traveling and studying

 

Cultural Hi-Ways gives Au Pairs an opportunity to study and travel. 99% of Cultural Hi-Ways’ guests are Au Pairs. Au Pairs can sign up to join any of the weekend tours and have a great time.

Cultural Hi-Ways is a partner with the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), it means that Au Pairs can add an educational element to their weekend tours.  Au Pairs can earn educational credit in a fun, creative environment. They can study in the classroom then learn from personal experience by visiting the destination you have studied! 

Included in the tuition price:

• 2 or 3 classroom sessions (depending on the course you choose to sign up for) held at Villanova University, in the Philadelphia area
  
• A weekend tour to the destination studied – provided by Cultural Hi-Ways
  
• Upon successful completion of the classroom sessions, homework assignments and the tour, a certificate of completion will be awarded for either 3.5 CEU’s (35 hours) or 4.5 CEU’s (45 hours).  The number of hours/CEU’s earned will depend on the course you sign up for
  

If Au Pairs need to earn educational credit, they can select course listings at BMCC website , (under Personal Development select Learning Across America) and sign up for one of the Learning Across America courses offered in Philadelphia. If they don’t need to earn education but would like a fun weekend away with a great group of au pairs, they can sign up for just the tour on the Cultural Hi-Ways website

Upcoming courses/tours available to Philadelphia Au Pairs:

Montreal, Canada

May 9-12, 2013
Tuition Price paid to BMCC (tour is included): $469
First class begins Sunday, March 17
Tour only price if you don’t need education (sign up on the Cultural Hi-Ways website) $329

Niagara Falls

June 14-16, 2013
First class begins Sunday, April 28

Tuition Price paid to BMCC (tour is included): $419
Tour only price if you don’t need education (sign up on the Cultural Hi-Ways website): $279

Au Pair’s trip to Washington DC

Cultural Hi-Ways offers educational tour( earning 35 class hours) to Washington DC for Au Pairs that includes attending 2 classes in Philadelphia and the trip to Washington DC.

Class Dates:Sunday, February 24 & Sunday, March 3, 2013 in Villanova University. The aupairs will learn about American culture through classroom lectures, films, articles and discussions while improving their English comprehension skills.

After Au Pairs complete  two day class session, they will join a weekend tour to Washington, DC

Tour days: March 23-24, 2013 During the trip au-pairs will learn the history, landmarks, arts and customs of Washington, DC , make new friends, take hundred of photos and explore new places. In the journey Au Pairs will visit the Vietnam Wall, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial and World War II Memorial, stop to see the Capitol Building and White House and many other interesting places.
The cost is $319 (includes classes & the tour)

Au Pairs who completed the course (including the tour) will obtain a CERTIFICATE stating they have earned 35 class hours.

Watch the video

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Amazing Experience with Go Au Pair.

Being an Au-Pair has been a very Productive experience for me. I’m on my second year now. In August of 2011 was the time when I thought I was getting away from my comfort zone when I left South Africa. I was scared and didn’t know what life would be like on the other side of the world. But then I found myself experiencing things that I’ve never experienced before, I found myself doing things I’ve never done before.

 

I found myself making decisions without having to consult my mom or sister to make sure it’s the right decision. Wait… I finally found myself. That’s called being Independent. It took me being away from what I thought was my comfort zone to actually realize that the comfort zone is within myself.

In other words this is the experience that every young woman deserves to have. Having to travel to amazing places, making friends from all over the world, learning different cultures and different types of food, I’m talking Brazilian, Russian, Colombian, German, Canadian, Chinese. the list goes on. But the most important thing is the joy that you bring to Your host family by taking care of their precious children.

The trust and respect that you get from the Kids and parents, it all shows that you do not need to be a mom or a dad to feel like a parent, which is an amazing experience. I don’t go a day without having my host-kids telling me how much they love me. We tell each other that every day.

I strongly believe that the influence you have on the kids stay part of them for the rest of their lives. I try by all means to stay positive, show them love and respect for themselves and other people. And I am happy to say that I get the same kind of treatment from the entire family. I’ve been happy ever since I came here 17 months ago. I will forever cherish this experience.

When I’m not working I get together with friends and have lots of fun. We also have parties with other Au-Pairs almost monthly which are always fun.

I want to give thanks to our LAR Polina, she is the best. And to all the host parents who are giving us (Au-Pairs) the chance to experience different cultures.

Last but not least, a special thanks goes to all the Au-Pairs that are sending a positive message out to the nation, because what you teach to a child today will be revealed to the nation when they grow up. So let’s keep showing them love, respect and a true meaning of happiness and also learn some things from them.

If we do that correctly, I believe that the world could become a better place.

Phila, the Au Pair from South Africa.

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Au Pair Holiday Party.

This year we will have a huge Christmas celebration for Au Pairs in Bucks County, PA:  a gift exchange party, Zumba party, and then we will explore Christmas Village together!

What is a Christmas party without gifts and dance?

There will be a lot of gifts and dance and I, a Local Are Representative(LAR) for Go Au pair,  will host a gift exchange and dance parties.

To experience a typical American tradition we will play Yankee Swap during  a gift exchange party and Au Pairs social hours. Au Pairs will  have the choice to either keep their gifts or swap it with anyone else.  So, everyone will go home with a gift they are happy with.

Fun Zumba Dance party is a next part of Christmas celebration that I know many Au Pairs are looking forward to.  I will host Maria, a certified Zumba instructor from City Beats Fitness, who  promised to make our Christmas dance party an exhilarating and fun experience.

Exploring Peddler’s Village at Lahaska, PA will definitely bring an unforgettable experience and mem

ories. It is an amazing place with live entertainment, shops, restaurants. The village is beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Video and photos from Go Au Pair Christmas party are follows.

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The Au Pair program: Learn and Earn.

 The Au Pair program is a rewarding cultural exchange program for young people looking to get the chance to earn money and learn new experience in a family setting. The Au Pair program is known abroad as the “Learn and Earn”program.

Au Pairs come to the US from around the world. Go Au Pair recruits Au Pairs from over 60 different countries.

Many young people consider taking a gap year and becoming  Au Pairs in America. They can learn a new country, culture, improve language skills and earn money. They  also have the benefit of living with a Host Families, so they are not completely alone.

In many countries, speaking good English is expected for many jobs. Learning a language in a full-time language course plus the cost of full board accommodation is very expensive.

The Au Pair program is very affordable as the program usually covers language classes and living expenses. The time in language classes is combined with daily conversations at home and  communications with their new friends in English.

The Au Pair program is  incredibly rewarding.  Au Pairs earn money and also gain a new family and friends,  language skills and priceless life experience.

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Cake for Mother’s day.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms and especially the host moms who opened their homes and hearts for Au Pairs!

Dear host mothers, I hope you will be invited to special places, pampered and honored by your families and Au Pairs.

A “sweet” way to say thank you to your host mom is to make a cake project for Mother’s Day with host kids.

Here is a video recipe of Chocolate Zucotto cake with ice cream. It is a simple and an easy recipe and  Au Pairs may teach host children how to make this special cake for mommy.

I recommend to add fresh strawberries or any fruits and mix with ice cream, and also decorate the cake with fresh fruits. It will make this cake  healthier and taste better.

Au Pairs with kids can cook a delicious cake and desert and make Mother’s Day special. I hope all host moms will enjoy their special day.

I wish that every day be treated like Mother’s Day!