In Florida, Au Pair Cultural Activities Are A-maze-ing
Posted on Friday, March 11th, 2016 at 5:36 pm.
Learning about American culture and building life-long memories is at the heart of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, including for au pairs. Au pair program sponsors facilitate monthly meet-ups, where local and regional coordinators engage au pairs in cultural events, such as city tours, holiday celebrations, sporting events, volunteer activities, and many others. Here is an example of one such activity that took place in Jacksonville, Florida:
Last Fall, a group of au pairs joined their Area Director at Amazing Grace Crop Maze for their monthly activity and outing. Au pairs from Sweden and South Africa enjoyed a day winding and weaving as they guessed their way through the corn maze. The au pairs from Sweden mentioned that they had only ever seen corn mazes in American movies – and always thought it would be a something fun to try!
The au pairs received directional clues throughout the maze, which was also a great way to encourage the group to communicate together in English. The au pairs finished out the afternoon by playing a few field games and sitting under the shady shrub oak trees on the farm.
South African au pair Kiely shared: “The corn maze trip was an incredible American experience, unlike anything I have done before. It was loads of fun to get lost in the maze with all the au pairs; can’t wait to do it again.”
Area Director Jennifer Peery loves sharing American holiday traditions and experiences with her cluster of au pairs.
“It’s always fun to introduce the au pairs to new and exciting experiences, like having them try candy corn for the first time or teaching them how to carve a pumpkin. They enjoyed talking and joking with other locals as they all made their way through the maze,” she said.
The au pairs that are extending their U.S. stay in the Jacksonville area are excited to venture out to the corn maze again next year. Next time, they said that they will return at night with flashlights!
Categories: Participants, Program Spotlight
| About Rebecca Pasini Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange | |
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Rebecca A. Pasini joined the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchanges in July 2023. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister - Counselor, Ms. Pasini has been an American diplomat since 1997.
Ms. Pasini previously served as the Director of Public and Congressional Affairs in the Bureau of Consular Affairs from 2021-2023. Other Washington assignments have included positions in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, the Office of Foreign Missions, and as a liaison to the Department of Homeland Security. She has also completed multiple overseas tours, including as Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs in Islamabad, Pakistan, and as the Consular Chief in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Other tours included Mexico City and Kuwait.
A Maryland native, Ms. Pasini has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University, a master’s degree in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School, National Defense University, and an undergraduate degree from Mary Washington College.
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