Easter is a very important celebration for many people in the USA with different  traditions all over the country. Shops and homes will be decorated with Easter Bunnies and little yellow chicks and most families decorate Easter eggs with their children. 

An Easter favourite is a game for children called Egg Rolling.  It is a race where children push a decorated boiled egg through the grass with a wooden club. Whoever reaches the finish line first, without breaking the egg, wins. This game is so popular that the US president invites families to the White House for a game of Egg Rolling each Easter Monday - this tradition started in 1878. To learn more click here.  

Another common Easter tradition is an Easter egg hunt. The 'Easter bunny' hides real and artificial eggs filled with surprises, for children to find. Whoever finds the most eggs is the winner, and everybody gets to keep the treasures and Easter surprises they found. For the Easter egg hunt children make or buy special baskets to place all the eggs in.

This Easter, get out the paint and brushes and join in the fun!

Check out the Our Programs section to find the program that suits you best. The News section is updated every month - keep visiting this section for the latest news from our au pairs and everything concerned with the au pair program.

 www.aupairamerica.co.uk

Congratulations Cansu!

Why choose Au Pair in America?

• Our excellent reputation and over 20 years experience
• Great host families carefully selected by our team
• A detailed 4 day Orientation Program near New York on your arrival in the US
• Study opportunities including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• Unique volunteer opportunities with our Global Awareness Program
• Dedicated support network throughout your stay
• 3 program options - you choose the program that best suits you

Apply Now For the Time of your Life!

 Amy from Thailand asks:
 “I am almost ready to leave, but I have one big problem. What should I get for my host family as a present? What do you think they will like? Should it be something big or small.”

Hello  Amy,

 It is very kind of you that you want to give your host family a present.
 Au Pair in America is a cultural exchange program, so I think it would make them happy if you bring something typical from your home country. 

These are my suggestions:

For the parents you could take a book with pictures from your home country, a cook book with recipes, a  piece of local art or a CD with traditional music. 

For the children you can take some small toys, or a picture book – of course that depends on their age. Local sweets are also very popular amongst children! Ask the parents what their children like to help you choose a gift.

 And please don’t worry, you don’t need to bring something big – it’s the gesture that counts.

 Enjoy choosing the gifts and all the best for your time in the US.
 Ariane

Krystel, an au pair from Panama, shared her culture with elementary school children in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Krystel wore the national Panamanian costume as she presented information on her country’s food, animals, language and customs. She “dressed” one of the children’s hair to resemble her own which everyone enjoyed! 

She chose to participate in the Global Awareness program because it is “a dynamic and easy way to teach about the culture of another country….The children listened with attention and remembered because the activities were fun and different. Speaking in front of groups of people also helped me improve my English…."

Krystel encourages all au pairs to participate in the Global Awareness program.  “It was a wonderful experience.”

Wilton Library, Connecticut, will be teaming up with Au Pair in America to present the “Little Linguist” program to children ages five and under.

A global neighbor, Germany, will be introduced to small children and their caregivers by two local au pairs who are living with host families in Wilton. Nina Lukhaup and Dorothee Beikert will teach the children and their caregivers to count, sing songs, play games and listen to stories in German. The program is designed to present another culture and language to young children.

Nina, 23, is a former kindergarten teacher from Austria who has been in the US for almost two years. Nina has been in Wilton for 10 months where she cares for three children.

Dorothee, 19, is also a former kindergarten teacher, from Germany. She arrived in July and has enjoyed seeing the seasons change here in Wilton. She is from a very small village, Germersheim.

The Little Linguist program is just one of the activities some of our au pairs participate in during their year abroad. “I think one of the strengths of Au Pair in America is our strong commitment to supporting both the families and the girls through opportunities to volunteer in the community,” said Ms. Cropper,  the community counselor for Wilton and Weston.

You can apply if you:

• are aged between 18 and 26 
• have a full drivers license 
• have at least 200 hours of non-family practical childcare experience gained within the last 3 years 
• are a secondary school graduate or equivalent 
• speak English to a good standard 
• have no criminal record 
• want to spend 12 months living with an American family
• have previously been an au pair in the US and successfully completed your program - see www.aupairinamerica.com for full conditions