Every au pair participates in a training program at the Cultural Care Au Pair School on Long Island, New York. This is a great way to learn what to expect from your year as an au pair in the USA. You will learn about typical responsibilities, how to effectively interact with children, communicating with your host family and what to do in case of emergencies.

Meet some of the staff!

Caitlin Corcoran - Director
Tell us a bit about yourself and where you come from? 
I am from Boston and started working for Cultural Care Au Pair in 2003. Before that, I studied Political Science, Anthropology and Spanish  in Vermont. As part of my course I spent some time studying in Mexico, and it was during this time that I really developed my love for travel and education. I have been lucky enough to be able to continue to travel and have been back to Mexico, as well as to Australia, Hungary, Guatemala, England, Japan, Austria, Colombia and the Czech Republic. I have worked here at the Training School since 2005 and have been able to meet au pairs from many countries who expose me to so many new places that I would like to travel to!

What do au pairs gain from their week at the School?
The au pairs get a solid knowledge base not only about child care, but also so much insight into life here in the US. They also gain such a great network of friends and other au pairs to support them throughout their year.
 
Any fun stories from the Au Pair School to share?
The Sing-Along is a highlight of the week for everyone. One week everyone made me get up and sing an "American" song. I started with "If You're Happy and You Know It'" and then within seconds, everyone was singing the same song, in their own language! It was great - cultural exchange at it's finest! 

Dan Robers - Residential Life Manager
Tell us a bit about yourself and where you come from?
I'm the new guy on staff, actually the only guy on staff! I recently grad-uated with a degree in Organizational Management and Leadership, and I completed my bachelors degree in Political Science and History. I come from a very small town in upstate New York, so I'm a country boy at heart now living close to the big city. Here at the school my title is Residential Life Manager, which basically means I do a little bit of everything!

What do au pairs gain from their week at the School?
The au pairs coming to the training school are obviously here to take classes so they can be the best au pair possible, however the hidden value of the Au Pair Training School is in the people the au pairs meet. Au pairs are here on campus for just one short week, however during that time they meet many others, and lasting friendships are born as a result. So in short, the au pairs come for an education, but leave with friends.

Any fun stories from the Au Pair School to share?
Stories are something that are never in short supply here at the Training School. I personally always enjoy the exchanges we have here at the school with the Australian au pairs. I was playing scrabble one night with an Australian au pair and a Brazilian au pair and the Australian put down the word "noice." I contested the word because it doesn't exist. However, the Australian claimed that "noice" was the way Australians say nice. After some hilarious heated debate I let the Australian have the points for the word, and ever since it's been a fun thing to say "noice" to all the Australians au pairs who come to the school.

Karoliina Issakainen - Summer Intern 
Tell us a bit about yourself and where you come from? 
I come from Finland and ended up working in the Au Pair Training School after working in the EF Helsinki office for Language Travel and Cultural Care Au Pair one summer. I love traveling, speaking foreign languages and meeting people from different countries, so this is a perfect summer job for me!

What is your favorite part of the week at the Au Pair School?
There are so many! We always have fun here at the school, but my favorite parts are probably the arrivals and the departures! At both times you see excited au pairs! I also enjoy our "International Sing-Along" workshop, which is always lot of fun and you learn so much about different cultures! The NYC tour is also one of the highlights of the week, because when in NY you just have to experience the City!

What do au pairs gain from their week at the School?
The most important thing that the au pairs gain is what they learn in the classes and workshops with our amazing teachers. I also believe that it is very important that people get to meet other au pairs and share their thoughts and feelings and make new friends!