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
Hi Gina,
ReplyDeleteI'm at the stage where I'm waiting to be contacted with potential families, and was just wondering about the interviews.
What sort of questions do they ask you? What were the ones you asked that really helped you to distinguish that you wanted to go with the family you are with?
Thanks
Tamara
Hi Tamara,
DeleteThe first thing is to really just try and talk to the host parents and get a 'feel' of what they are like, are they a very busy family? what do they like to do? have they had an au pair before? what will an average day look like for you, what do the kids like doing etc. And make sure to tell them about yourself, what you like to do, what you would like to do with the kids etc. Just see how things unfold as you chat to them. You don't need to feel nervous, they are just ordinary people just like you, but try to imagine living with them - as you talk to them see if you get along with them pretty naturally or if there is difficulty in communicating. I was a bit nervous before I spoke to the family and really it is like a job interview where you will never know what the job is REALLY like until you are there, but what you need to work out is "do I get along well with these people? can I see myself chatting to them? can I see myself enjoying working for them?". When I spoke to my host family I got such a good vibe off them that I didn't even pay attention to everything they were saying, I went with my gut instinct because I knew we would work well together, and my year is going great because of that. I hope this helps! Particularly watch the host mother because she will be a big part of your life here. Ask about their attitude to disciplining the kids - you do not want to go with a family who let their kids get away with anything! :)
Good luck! let me know how it goes!
Gina