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Hello America!
My name is Monica, I am 23 years old
and I study tourism.
I am from Gdansk. One day I decided to become an au pair,
to see the USA and to improve my English.
I found my host family within four days,
I actually had four families on my profile,
but the first one turned out to be my "perfect match".
It is a family from California. They have three children,
two boys of 4 and a girl of 9.
Hi, I'm Kate.
I study English. When I heard of the au pair programme
I decided to take part in it and to improve my English skills.
We just had some activities in groups,
we had to describe what we thought about a "typical" American woman,
so we wrote that she is always busy, doesn't cook,
that she is independent and intelligent.
The atmosphere in the Orientation is great
the girls get along very well with each other
I have already exchanged emails with a lot of them
and we will stay in touch and meet.
Hi, my name is Ola
I have been an Au Pair in America for a month now
as a participant of the EduCare programme
It is a great thing that in the Orientation you get to know your friends
with whom you will be spending your free time.
They are from all over the world,
Europe and other continents.
We all have our own language barriers
so I was quite happy to realize that I wasn't the only one.
In my free time, which as an EduCare participant I have more of,
I like to go with my friends to typical American restaurants
just like the one we're in now,
As you see, everything is bigger in the States,
this little cookie is about 5 times bigger than in Poland.
We also often go shopping.
I have had very good contact with my family
from the very beginning,
we were on Skype and on email all the time,
but I do think this is a very new situation for both sides,
so the kids won't necessarily trust you and hug you
from the very first day,
it will all come with time though,
they got to know me better, I got to know them too,
and now I am to them like an older sister,
and it is great, they show me their emotions, give me hugs,
but at the beginning we were all a bit reserved.
Hi girls, I am Kinga and I'm from Poznan,
I have been an Au Pair in America for a year now
and I live near New York.
My family consists of four people: Mum, Dad and two kids.
The younger child, a boy, is 6 years old and the girl is 10.
My family is simply fantastic.
I can only say positive things about them.
We have got along with each other very well from the start,
which was great, as when you see someone for the first time
it usually requires some time to get used to the new situation.
So we have got along really quickly.
This is one of the places I frequently visit with my kids.
They are great swimmers, both of them.
We also have our own swimming pool, so we spend at least an hour a day swimming.
Besides, we go to Taekwondo clases, art classes,
there are some routine activities, but there may also be changes or delays, so one needs to be flexible.
You are now at the beginning of your year in America
so it looks like a very long time to you,
but I have been here for half a year already
and I have no idea when it has passed!
I can't believe I have been here for half a year already!
Time really flies very fast here.
My most important piece of advice to you is this:
When you choose your host family
please remember that you will spend a year of your life with them
so don't pay much attention to the geographical location
because it really isn't important.
Focus on how you will fit in with them
because you will be spending with your host family most of your time.
There are good times and bad times.
Simply choose to remember just about the good ones.
We have just finished the second part of our Orientation training
we've just had our lunch break
and now I have 5 minutes to prepare for our New York trip!
I feel it will be a great experience.
It's great, everyone is so excited
the atmosphere is fantastic and we have a great tour guide
so every five minutes there is a lot of laughter!
I have been absolutely stunned so far
everything is so bright and colourful here ...and huge!
And I thought there were no McDonald's here!
No, there are no McDonald's here at all!
We are now in the Times Square. But don't tell anyone!
I am getting very nervous now and really stressed
because after 5 months of waiting, writing and skyping with my host family,
I will finally meet them in person today! This is unbelievable.
Our Orientation training time is over we will now go to meet our Host Families
so I am very excited and can't wait!
Hi, are you leaving already?
Yes, I am going to the airport and you?
I am being picked up from the hotel, don't have to go anywhere,
so I still have a little time.
See you during the holidays then!
Yes I absolutely have to visit you.
I invite you to San Francisco!
I am really nervous now maybe my Host Family will not like me?
Maybe I will not match their expectations?
We really don't know that much about each other
but I hope we will get along well.
The nearer the meeting time the more anxious I am getting.
I am so nervous now, my heart is beating so fast!
Hello Mom!
Don't worry
as the more you will be thinking and worrying,
the higher a barrier you will be creating
so just take it easy and relax.
I've been waiting so long, and the time has come!
Is it my Host Dad, or....?
no idea... no idea...
do I look good?...
There are always better and worse days, both back home in Poland and in the USA,
but at the end of the day only the good ones matter!
If you are thinking and hesitating or if you have any doubts,
then... just go! And stop hesitating.
My decision to become an Au Pair in America
has been my best decision in many many years
and even though I am nervous and anxious
I am sure it will be a great and unforgettable experience.