The Latest Goss

Things are beginning to pick up speed, it's a very exciting time, I received a few emails last week about potential host families! I don't know too much about them yet but they come from all over the country, mainly Washington state and I've heard about one family in Pennsylvania. It has been really fantastic to come home and get out the map and have a look at where they are, and reading about the climate, the attractions etc. I will find out more about the families themselves in the next week.

I have arranged to skype a family sometime this week and I have been thinking of all different questions to ask!
I had a whole list somewhere but have misplaced it! What I really want to ask include things like:

- What are your favourite things to do as a family?
- Do you have meals together?
- What would an average week look like in terms of my work hours (would they be flexible or would you need me at certain times each day)?
- What things do the children like to do?
- What colleges are nearby to where you live?
- What are your expectations of an au pair?
- Have you had an au pair before, and if so, what was your experience like?
- Do you both work or does one of you stay at home?

It is important for me to find a family where I really get along with the parents because that will make or break the experience, especially if the mother stays at home and we work alongside each other every day.
I am also interested in finding out how my study will be able to coincide with my working - what if I have classes in the day? will my class choices be dictated by my work hours or will we be able to work it out no matter what?

I am really looking forward to studying over there. I have already emailed a college professor who has the same academic interests as me. He gave me some great ideas and told me about different events and conferences on topics I am passionate about. It was so exciting! I have a mental list of all the professors and academics I want to contact while I'm in the States. I really want it to be a time of growth, challenge and learning. If you are wondering, the topics that I am interested in are: poverty in Education, Urban Education, Critical studies in Education, Critical race theory, Radical teaching, inequality in Education and Sociology. Most of the classes like these are graduate courses which means that they will cost heaps more!!!!!!! eek!! haha I better get another 8 jobs or win lotto in the meantime to be able to afford it! haha.

At the moment I work with special needs children in one of the poorest schools in New Zealand and I love it. I want to learn as much as I can, whenever and wherever I can so that I can return to New Zealand and be a better, more effective teacher for the students that I love so dearly.

I will check in again soon!
:)

Gina

Swimming in The Matching Pool

So now I am all good to go, I have finished all the application forms, all my referees have been contacted and all ok! It's a good place to be now because it means that I don't have anything on my mind, I can just relax and think about work and wait for things to be emailed to me!

As each day passes, the more excited I get thinking about where I might end up! I would love to know so I could tell my whanau and friends: I tell them I'm going to the States and the second question they ask is "Whereabouts in the States??" and I have to stammer and stutter and say it's a long story. Haha.

Since I have already completed a degree, I am just trying to find out if I can do post-grad courses instead of just undergraduate ones. It doesn't really matter if I end up doing undergraduates, but hey, might as well try and do post-grad if I can! I have a couple of American friends who are in college so will ask them.

I am trying to convince my best friend to come and meet me over in the States for the holiday part at the end of my time with the family! She's pretty keen, but she's a student so doesn't really have any money. At least she'll have heaps of time to save! Fingers crossed!

Will post again when I hear from some families!