Bill Clinton: a surprise visitor at a NY au pair meeting

September 25, 2008
Bill Clinton: a surprise visitor at a NY au pair meetingby Stephanie Rueter

Cultural Care au pairs at a Chappaqua, New York Starbucks were enjoying their grande, extra whip, no foam, double-shot lattes Monday night when they spied a special celeb: Bill Clinton! Local Coordinator Ellen Sweeney wrote in an email to us, “We ran after him like a bunch of groupies. Too funny!”

Of course all the au pairs were snapping with the former pres, and it’s a good thing. Laura Verstige, Cultural Care au pair from Germany admitted, “My parents didn’t believe me until they saw the photo!”

It’s apparent U.S. presidents are as popular to pose with as Hollywood stars - at least for German au pairs Anna Berdelsmann and Tina Kellner.

Laura Verstege, another au pair from Germany sent this to her parents to prove she had actually met the former president!

http://buzz.culturalcare.com/post/50562031/bill-clinton-a-surprise-visitor-at-a-ny-au-pair

Linda Falter: Au Pair of the Year 2008

Linda Falter: Au Pair of the Year 2008

On July 14, 2006, German au pair Linda Falter, arrived to Hayward, CA to join the Sato family. Host parents Grace and Genro, and children Milagro (then 4 years) and Kotomi (then 2 years) were excited and nervous to welcome their new au pair. Those initial feelings, however, quickly turned to appreciation for all that Linda does for her host family. Aside from being a wonderful, patient caregiver, Linda has helped Milagro, who is blind, learn to read and write Braille (after first teaching herself) and to challenge herself physically at the local rock-climbing gym. Linda shares her native language with Kotomi through Biene Maja books, a German childrens' story series. She helped the Satos adjust to life with three children instead of two when their son was born. Linda's other contributions to the Sato family are too numerous to count.

To express her gratitude, Grace Sato was moved to act when the call for "Au Pair of the Year" award nominees was announced by The International Au Pair Association, or IAPA. IAPA is the global trade association for qualified au pair agencies and companies, and, since 2004, their "Au Pair of the Year" award is one way this organization has been able to highlight the incredibly positive impact au pairs have on their host families. Each year, IAPA receives many of nominations from host families, not only in the U.S., but the world over, who believe their au pair to be deserving of this honor. Cultural Care Au Pair-the largest U.S. agency and one with almost twenty years of experience bringing au pairs and host families together-is proud that 90 of the nominations submitted for the 2008 award were submitted by Cultural Care host parents.
Cultural Care is proud that IAPA has chosen Linda Falter as their 2008 Au Pair of the Year Award winner! Linda was honored at IAPA's Annual Conference and Work Experience Travel Market in the Hague, the Netherlands in March and at Cultural Care Au Pair's National Meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico in April. Cultural Care Au Pair would like to thank Linda-and all of our au pairs across the country-for their commitment and dedication to their Cultural Care host families.

Thai Au Pairs

10 great reasons Thai au pairs are a great fit for any host family!

1. Varied childcare experienceThai au pairs tend to have experience taking care of children in a number of different settings (daycare centers, schools, hospitals, babysitting). They are usually accustomed to caring for infants and often care for multiple children at once. About 85% of our Thai au pairs are infant-qualified.

2. Older candidatesThai au pairs are typically more mature—their average age is 25.

3. Pleasant demeanorThai au pairs are typically very grateful and gracious. Host families often say they are happy, laid back and flexible.

4. English levelThough many of our Thai au pairs have an English level of a 4, they may be stronger communicators than you think. There is a wide range of level 4s; therefore, it is critical to interview a candidate before passing on her because of perceived language weakness. It is also important to note that Thai au pairs typically have very good English comprehension—it is the pronunciation that is difficult for them (perhaps because they often learn English from non-native speakers). Once they get here, they tend to improve very quickly.
Something else to consider: Thai au pairs might giggle on the phone during a conversation. This doesn’t imply childishness or lack of maturity. Rather, it is a way to disguise shyness or embarrassment over inability to pronounce certain words. Encouraging them to open up and make mistakes often solves this issue.

5. Willing to help around the house Thais are accustomed to helping with domestic chores and are therefore happy to help with the childrens’ laundry, meals, etc.

6. Well-educatedThai au pairs are usually very well educated; a lot of them have bachelors and/or master’s degrees and have professional careers back home.

7. Well-connectedThais often communicate through online message boards and are usually very well-connected with other Thai au pairs in the U.S. even before they arrive. This immediate network of friends helps to avoid homesickness and lowers the rate of early return.

8. Good role modelsRarely do our Thai candidates have tattoos, piercings, or smoking/drinking habits that families have to worry about. They also generally place a high importance on family relationships.

9. More likely to extendAu pairs from Thailand have a high extension rate, and, when they do extend, are more likely to stay with the same family.

10. Big America fansThais love America!