DESCRIPTION

The Au Pair Weekend program, "Experience America," is offered in collaboration with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Extension) in the San Francisco Bay Area. This unique and exciting program helps you, as an au pair working in the United States, to gain the most from your American experience.  

This program can satisfy the U.S. Department of State au pair educational requirement and it's very affordable! You are registered for two classes, Discover the San Francisco Bay Area and the U.S. in March and Make a Difference in June.

Discover the San Francisco Bay Area and the U.S.
In addition to gaining a greater understanding of the United States and the San Francisco Bay Area, you will also have the opportunity to share your home country's culture with other students and compare it to key aspects of American life. You will gain in-depth knowledge of U.S. geography while also learning about exciting events in U.S. history and how they have influenced the current U.S. political culture and process. Through various field trips and activities, you will be able to explore and further understand the important historical and cultural identity of the San Francisco area that you’ve learned about in class.

Make a Difference
Through a fun and interesting combination of classroom discussions, community activities, and student assignments, you will learn important skills for dealing with the cultural and personal challenges that international visitors often face in the U.S. You will have unique opportunities to reflectively look at U.S. cultural perspectives to see how they influence your relationships and communication with others. Certain classes will discuss how to engage and participate in a variety of community experiences. You will also examine the rich cultural diversity of U.S. communities, with a specific focus on the San Francisco Bay Area.

COST FOR DOUBLE COURSES

Discover the San Francisco Bay Area and the U.S. & Make a Difference
72 educational hours - equivalent to 6 credit hours

The all-inclusive price of $619 includes tuition and registration, course materials, admission to museums and activities, and transportation during class hours. Please note, this price does not provide food or drink during the weekends. You are expected to bring or buy your own meals.

Please Note: A $50 late registration fee applies when registering later than February 27th. 

CLASS MEETING SCHEDULE  
(Check-in Friday from 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm)

    Fridays: 2:30 - 9:00 p.m.

    Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.   

    Sundays: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  

Attendance is mandatory during the times listed above.     

COURSE WORK REQUIREMENTS 

Course work includes a fun and interesting combination of engaging classes and workshops, community activities, and pre- and post-weekend assignments that will help prepare you for class and also solidify what you’ve learned afterwards. All these are designed to help you make the most of your experience in the U.S.

Through a variety of classes, assignments, and activities, you will earn 72 educational hours (equivalent to 6 credits)!

You will receive an email 5 to 6 weeks before the first weekend course with instructions on how to set up a Canvas account and begin working on your assignment. You should begin working on your pre-weekend assignments 5 weeks before the course start date.

Plan to spend 2 to 4 hours per week completing these assignments. Some will be very short, and others will take more time, so we have provided a suggested schedule in Canvas to hep you manage your time. All pre-weekend assignments are due the Friday before class.

Register early so that you’ll have plenty of time to get ready for class!

CONTACTING YOUR PROGRAM COORDINATOR 

You may contact your Program Coordinator, Mary Ann McFarland, by email or phone, but email is preferred. 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 385-419-1629