Goodbyes are never easy!

Having a lot of Au Pairs and friends in the Philadelphia, Bucks County and NJ cluster of Go Au Pair is great –the difficult part is that we have to say goodbye a lot. In addition, the fact that we have many outstanding Au Pairs in our cluster, makes saying goodbye even more difficult.

We just said goodbye to three amazing Au Pairs who recently finished the program and who were nominated by their host families for Love My Au Pair Contest 2019. Thank you Maria Bilous from Ukraine

Mindy Araujo from El Salvador

Yue Lu from China

for being outstanding Au Pairs and great friends and making your host families very happy!

Mariia , Mindy and Yue had been the cluster au pairs during two years and got great experience with their amazing host families in addition to traveling and exploring new places, attending American universities, making many international friends and  having a lot of fun with them in the US.

This month, we should say goodbye to three great Au Pairs: Au Pairs Pamela and Jaquelinne from Brazil and Au Pair Carin from South Africa.

Pamela and Jaquelinne spent two years and Carin one year, with their host families, got a second family away from home, and immersed into American life. They had the opportunity to learn about American culture and traditions, improve their English skills and gain valuable international work experience. They met new people, made new friends, and became more independent and mature.

I would like to thank the host families for joining the Au Pair Program and Go Au Pair cluster in the Philadelphia and Bucks County area, opening their homes and hearts and helping the young international people get amazing experience. Without your support and encouragement, it wouldn’t have been possible.

The Au Pair program was designed for only one or two years. Unfortunately, there is a time for every au pair to say goodbye for her/his host family and friends and goodbyes are never easy.

Thank you so much for being great Au Pairs, working hard, taking a great care of the kids, and being wonderful role models and friends to them!

Amazing opportunities for cultural childcare!

The Au Pair Program offers amazing opportunities for cultural childcare.  Au Pairs enhance the public’s awareness of this cultural exchange program and the mutual benefit au pairs and families get from it.

We have many outstanding Au Pairs who deserve the recognition and credit. Every year Go Au Pair chooses three Au Pairs for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to IAPA’s Conference and other awards. Go Au Pair Au Pairs been internationally recognized by the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) many times. The agency had the IAPA winners and finalists many times.

This year five Host Families from the Bucks County, Philadelphia and NJ area nominated their outstanding Au Pairs! Ukrainian Au Pair Mariia Belous and her Host Family- the Gerzon family became the runner up of 2018 Love My Au Pair contest with Go Au Pair!

Mariia, Au Pair from Ukraine, is a local Au Pair who lives in Bucks County.  She came to the US two years ago and became a part of the Gerzon family Mariia’s host mom said “Mariia has made our lives richer, easier and more fun and this is why she deserves to get the best au pair award!”

“Mariia also keeps my kids entertained without depending on the TV for entertainment. Some of the things she does to entertain the kids are dance parties, karaoke concerts, and dress up games! She will make up imaginary games and stories. She also does arts and crafts with them, and makes sure they create artwork to give as gifts to me and our relatives. She has organized playdates with local kids and visited a local police station to meet a policeman!”

Congratulations, Mariia, on being nominated for Love my Au Pair contest for the second time and becoming a runner up of Love My Au Pair contest  this year! 

Mariia just finished her second year of the Au Pair program. We wish Mariia the every success in her new journey.

The Au Pair Program is a great option not only for childcare needs, but it is also a wonderful opportunity to learn about foreign cultures and languages and make lifetime friends.

 

Welcoming new au pair from Ukraine YULIIA!

Hi everyone! Let me introduce new au pair Yuliia who joined our cluster just a few days ago!

Yuliia is 19 and she is a Ukrainian au pair. Yuliia joined a host family with two girls in Bucks County, PA. She said that she wants to be an Au Pair for many reasons,” Firstly, I like taking care of children very much. I am also very interested in improving my English and learning more about the USA (the culture, customs and best practices) because I am going to be an English Language & Literature teacher. Thirdly, since I am a student at the International University, I would like to take a gap year that would be a great help to my education.I would be honoured to introduce my country to Americans and share its culture and traditions at first hand. Finally, I am willing to widen my horizons, experience authentic American life style and develop any sense of international community and fellowship.”

It is exciting and good luck with all your plans! Please read Yuliia’s interview.
What are your hobbies and interests?
My hobbies are playing ukulele, embroidering, spending time outside walking or riding a bike, watching TV shows or cartoons.
What was the best event happening during last month?
Finally I had my braces off after two years of wearing them ;D.
What three adjectives best describe you?
Sociable, friendly, and positive.
If you had one wish what would it be?
My wish would be the peace in my country and among people.
What place would you like to visit?
I would like to visit Disneyland, New York City, Washington DC, Kansas City and Grand Canyon.

What is your favorite way to spend a Saturday?
My favorite way to spend a Saturday is to sleep as long as I can 😀 or to spend time outside with my family or friends.
What was the best complement you have ever received?
“You are the nicest person I’ve ever met”
What are two things that you consider to be good at?
I consider myself to be good at communicating with people and helping them if they need me.

We are looking forward to meeting you, YULIIA! We wish you a great au pair year!

Thanksgiving – time for family, friends, food and giving thanks.

Hey guys,  I’m here today to talk about Thanksgiving as an Au Pair with my lovely host family. As you already know I’m au pair from Ukraine, and we don’t celebrate this Holiday there.

It is my second Au Pair year in Bucks County, PA.  Last year I had my first thanksgiving day with my host family and I absolutely loved it.

It is a special holiday when a whole day focused on spending time with families and friends.  Everyone trying to get together for the dinner and it is the busiest day for traveling.  People are driving home to see their parents, siblings and friends.  It feels like as important as a Christmas time.

For the dinner must have thing is of course turkey.  Most of the people buying already cooked turkey but there are still some very traditional families who cooking by themselves. The hosts are usually getting the main meal and guests bring salads, mushed potato, some deserts, and drinks. People chatting and saying what they are thankful for the past year. Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks for our good fortune and most of all for family, host family and friends, those treasured people who make our lives extra special.

I’m looking forward for my second Thanksgiving in the USA! It is one of my favorite  holidays that I experienced in USA.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!!!

Xoxo, your Ukrainian au pair Mariia

Au Pair vacation and hostel experience

Maria, Au Pair from Ukraine, kindly shared about her vacation in the USA and experience of living in the hostel. That is such a pleasure to read Maria’s posts! I also like Maria’s advice, “Don’t collect the things -collect the moments.”

Hi guys! I just came back from my vacation. I spent 8 nights in Venice, California. First time I was traveling by myself and first time I was staying in hostel. Be honest it was absolutely one of the coolest experience I have done.

I will give you a few reasons why:

1. Cheap. You saving some money.
2. You can meet so many cool people. I was staying in an international hostel by the Venice beach and met a lot of new friends from all around the world. People will give you good advice about interesting places. We were sharing uber, another reason to save some money, went for hiking together, saw Hollywood sign, partying.  Every day I had a great company for the beach. We even took an uber and went to see Malibu beach for all day.
3. My location was perfect, the hostel was close to bus stop, food places, market, 20 min to famous Venice beach, 10 min to Venice canals. When you are lazy you can take a bus – it costs 1$.
4. In the end of the day if you don’t want to go out everyone downstairs is chatting and having great time.
5. The stuff was brilliant. They created the best atmosphere, always helped with advise on transportation and best places to visit.
6. I was very sad to leave. For sure I will never forget my trip to California. And that hostel will be an amazing memory of my American life.
P.S. Don’t collect the things collect the moments. Enjoy your life and travel as much as you can!

XoXo Mariia from Ukraine

Congratulations, Maria, with your second Au Pair year!

Maria, Au Pair from Ukraine, starts her second Au Pair year with her host family today! Congratulations, Maria! Best wishes and Good Luck! We love to hear many new stories about your Au Pair journey in the US!

“I am starting another year with my American family in Bucks County,  PA! I am really happy and I’m looking forward to spending my second Au Pair year!

Since I have been here I learned a lot about American culture and lifestyle! It is really impressive and nothing I could compere with. It is just very different! But I absolutely love it with all my heart!

I met so many nice people, made new friends, did a lot of traveling, was a volunteer for the international spring festival, went to an American college, ate a real Philly cheese-steak, had an American camping experience, went to Mexico, saw so many deer, foxes, learned about the American way to raise kids.

I learned lot of new cool things! I am so thankful for everything that I have done and I’m looking forward to many new adventures with my host family and my friends!

I am really happy and I’m looking forward to spending this awesome time of my life as an Au Pair!”

Good Luck again, Maria. Thank you for sharing about your Au Pair journey in the US!

Meet our new Au Pair from Brazil Lavinia!

Lavinia, our new au pair from Brazil, is joining the Philadelphia and Bucks County Go Au Pair agency cluster today! We are very excited to meet her! Welcome to the cluster, Lavinia!

Lavinia is 20 years old and she will live with her host family in Bucks County, PA. Lavinia has a few buddies – Au Pairs Maria from Ukraine and Jackie and Nadia from Brazil. They are eagerly looking forward to  spending time with Lavinia, becoming close friends, and helping her to adjust to new life in the USA.

Lavinia’s favorite way to spend a free time is doing anything with her family and friends. Lavinia said that,”I really like to dance, listen to music, sing, play volleyball, read books, talk with my friends, among others … In Brazil we have a national event called Carnival, it’s party days! We went out in the streets to have fun and dance with our friends.”

Three adjectives best describe Lavinia are Sympathetic, Determined, and Patient. The best compliment Lavinia received was that she is an honest person. Two things that she consider herself to be very good at are driving and giving an advice!

We asked Lavinia, “What place would you like to visit?” and she sad, ” I want to know the whole world! especially, Disney!”  Goodluck with your traveling, Lavinia. You can take a lot of classes with Cultural Hi-Ways!

Welcome to the cluster again, Lavinia.  We are looking forward to meeting you soon.

Vacation in Mexico with my host family!

Hi Everyone, It is Maria, Au Pair from Ukraine, who lives in Bucks County PA with the awesome host family. You may read about my Au Pair year before. One of my favorite thing is, of course, a vacation! Recently my host mom sent me a message on Facebook and said, ” Maria, can I please have your passport info because we are off for a week and going to Mexico!”

I was super exiting! I am crazy about traveling and Mexico was always one of the places  I always wanted to visit! So I contacted Go Au Pair agency and sent them the DS 2019 form to stamp for my trip.  The agency sent me the form back very quickly and I was ready to travel.  Who knew that I will spend one week in a real paradise? Even the name of that resort is ParadisusFood, beach, sun, shows, people whom you love around! My host family and I were having so much fun! It was a super cool vacation! We were swimming with dolphins, kids had a lot of fun with kids club, we met a lot of nice people! Mexico will always be in my heart! Our family loved Mexican vacation very much!

Of course, we had a lot of funny situations.  For example, I lost my passport in the airport in Mac Donald’s But thanks, God, the Philadelphia’s personal in the airport were very kind and they found me and gave my passport back right next to the plane!

Then, our kids love cabin crew,  so we are always having lovely conversation with the team! Be honest,  if I were a film producer, I would record the movie about our vacation in Mexico! It was very cool, joyful and fun!

Thank you, my dear Alla Gerzon, who is my host mom, who is my best friend, who is my sister, who is an example how to be a Superwomen, Wonder-women and just a Supermom for a such opportunity to explore not only many special places in the States, but also such a lovely country as Mexico!P.S. The Gerzon family is the best!!!
Xoxo. Ukrainian au pair Mariia Bilous

Au Pair Holiday Party at Peddler Village, Bucks County

Just a few days left till our annual Holiday party! This year, we will have a Holiday Party with a gift exchange again at the Cock ‘n Bull restaurant, located at Peddler’s Village, at New Hope, Bucks County, PA.  Last year Au Pairs had a lot of fun at the cluster’s annual Christmas party there. 

In the Philadelphia and Bucks County cluster we have Au Pairs from many countries-Au Pairs from Brazil, China, Ecuador, Colombia, South Africa, El Salvador, Spain, Argentina, Ukraine. Many Au Pairs will be experiencing the holidays in the US and join the Au Pair party for the first time. The Holiday Party is a great chance to spend quality time together with au pairs from different countries far away from home and learn american holiday traditions.

I am looking forward to spending time with the Au Pairs! We will have a great Holiday party with Au Pairs from other clusters and with fun, laugh, delicious food and presents in a very special place that everyone will remember.

Au Pairs international picnic and the Philadelphia quiz

Recently we had an international picnic across the Independent Hall in the historical center of Philadelphia with Au Pairs from seven countries. Maria, Au Pair from Ukraine, said, ‘We had fun, laughed, listened funny stories and shared our most memorable American experience!” Thank you Maria for sharing with us about the international picnic. Au Pairs had a great time enjoying the international food and friendship and also Au Pairs took a quiz to learn more about Philadelphia.

1. What is Philadelphia’s population?
2. What are Philadelphia’s well-known nicknames?
3. Who founded Philadelphia and when?
4. In what year did Philadelphia become the capital of the United States?
5. When did the liberty Bell was cast?
6. What historical documents where developed in Philadelphia? What year ?
7. What was the name of the first U.S. Constitution?
8. When the Independence Hall was built and how many years it took?
9. How many people visit Philadelphia a year?
10. What happens on New Year’s Day in Philadelphia every year?
11. When the City Hall was build?
12. What was the one of the first businesses in Philly?
13. What Philadelphia well known for?

Here are the answers

1. 1.5 ml
2. The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection The Birthplace of America, The City that Loves You Back, The City of Neighborhoods, The Quaker City, and The Cradle of Liberty.
3. Philadelphia begins on October 27, 1682, when the city was founded by William Penn
4. 1790-1800
5. The Liberty Bell, originally known as the State House Bell, was cast in 1751 and hung in the tower of the Pennsylvania State House.
6. The United States Declaration of Independence was approved there on July 4, 1776, and the Declaration was read aloud to the public in the area now known as Independence Square. The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, presided over by George Washington.
7. The Articles of Confederation
8. Construction of the Pennsylvania State House, which came to be known as Independence Hall, began in 1732  and was completed in 1753, 21 years after the groundbreaking.
9. 30 -40 ml
10. The Mummers parade
11. From its completion in 1901, Philly’s City Hall was the world’s tallest habitable building until 1908. It is still the largest municipal building in the country. An unofficial agreement kept City Hall (the pinnacle being the top of its William Penn statue) the tallest building in Philadelphia until 1987, when construction of One Liberty Place finished.
12.  Beer. William Frampton’s brewery started up in 1683.
13. Mural Art. Boasting over 2000 outdoor murals, it’s been called the “mural capital of the U.S.”