Au pairs converge on Richmond from far-away locations for SCS enrichment program
Mary C. Raymond is Coordinator of Special Programs in the School of Continuing Studies. She coordinates the Summer Scholars program among her other responsibilities.
But another hat Raymond wears at the School is coordinator of the non-credit Au Pair Enrichment program.
Operated as a Personal Enrichment activity through the Office of Community and Professional Education, the Au Pair Enrichment program offers English language training and American culture education to au pairs who are contracted to assist families with childcare needs. Au pairs come to the U.S. from all over the globe to care for host family children.
As this program has developed over the past year, a remarkable thing has happened—au pairs from locations well beyond Richmond, like Boston and Atlanta, have registered to attend classes.
At first, Raymond and other staff in the School expected only Richmond-area au pairs to consider the program. As a result, marketing efforts originally focused on the Richmond metropolitan area.
But in this age of viral networking, the most viral network of all—word of mouth—began highlighting the program's quality and success among host families and au pair placement agencies.
Laura Rossi, Senior Community Counselor with Au Pair in America, confirms this sentiment. “Au pairs and their host families are so pleased to find a variety of affordable, challenging and enjoyable classes at a University which welcomes them with open arms.”
Rossi continues, “Au pairs come from all over the world and are enthralled with the prospect of taking classes at an American university. When they take classes at the University of Richmond, they... get to experience a rich learning environment at a beautiful campus, [exactly what] they had hoped for.”
As a result, additional subjects have been added that address not only English-language training and enrichment, but also American culture education. Raymond reports that au pairs receive “exposure to American culture, customs, and traditions” and that additional subjects include “Virginia and American History, Public Speaking & Communication Skills, Art History, Civil War History, and American Holidays.
Other classes include TOEFL Preparation and English for Specific Purposes with a concentration on advanced ESL curriculum.” Raymond plans to expand the curriculum further, adding topics like pre-law and government, business principles, and health and wellness.
The Au Pair Enrichment program offers “a uniquely rewarding and economically attractive option” to their au pairs, according to Raymond. The au pairs are able to improve their English skills and learn more about American culture and history in a safe and enjoyable college environment.
The program also provides au pair agencies an array of courses for their au pair cohorts, contributing to fulfillment of U.S. Department of State educational requirements for au pairs while they are here in the U.S.
Au pairs are learning about this program and attending from out of state because of the innovative and interesting course offerings. Says Raymond, “We provide out-of-state au pairs with a rewarding educational opportunity while simultaneously providing them with a chance to see another part of the country during their stay in the U.S. We also take a personal interest in helping them with their educational decisions based on their host families' schedules.”
She continues, “We offer the traditional lecture setting for coursework and academics, led by highly experienced educational professionals. Unique to our program, we also provide an exciting array of excursions including visits to local museums, our state Capitol, narrative canal cruises, and other historical sites in Virginia. In addition, books, materials, meals in the Heilman Dining Center, and all entrance fees to off-campus course related excursions are included in our tuition.”
The Au Pair Enrichment program also sees au pairs returning to the School to continue their education by taking additional classes.
From initially modest and localized expectations, Raymond and others in the School have broadened the program and expanded the experience. The result: the region from which au pairs are coming to the program has expanded in similar fashion.