Upcoming Courses
March 13 - 15, 2026
Registration closes March 10, but may sell out sooner
$598
Equivalent to 6 Credits (72 Hours)
Package Deal
✓ Two courses, one registration:
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(1) Weekend Course
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"Discover the U.S."
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+ (1) Online course (self-paced):
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"Connect in the U.S."
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*Students receive a separate completion letter for each 36 hour course, a combined equivalent of 6 credits.
popular
$349
Equivalent to 3 Credits (36 Hours)
Join us for the 'Discover the U.S.' weekend course!
*Students receive a single completion letter for this 36 hour course, the equivalent of 3 credits.
May 15 - 17, 2026
Registration closes May 12, but may sell out sooner
$598
Equivalent to 6 Credits (72 Hours)
Package Deal
✓ Two courses, one registration:
-
(1) Weekend Course
-
"Connect in the U.S."
-
-
+ (1) Online course (self-paced):
-
"Discover the U.S."
-
*Students receive a separate completion letter for each 36 hour course, a combined equivalent of 6 credits.
popular
$349
Equivalent to 3 Credits (36 Hours)
Join us for the 'Connect in the U.S.' weekend course!
*Students receive a single completion letter for this 36 hour course, the equivalent of 3 credits.
Chicago Course Details
In-person courses include both pre-weekend and post-weekend assignments. Pre-weekend assignments open 3 weeks before the scheduled weekend and are due 1 week before the city weekend. After the weekend, you will have 3 weeks to complete your coursework.
Connect in the US: Exploring Cultural Exchange
Learn to navigate the cultural and personal challenges of being an au pair living in the United States. Discuss conflict resolution, cultural diversity in the United States and how to successfully interact with people from different backgrounds and life experiences. Being in a diverse classroom will allow you to make new friends with individuals from all over the world and put everything you are learning into practice. Be the change you want to see in the world!
To accommodate travel time between the airport and class, plan to arrive for your course on a flight NO LATER than 11:00 a.m. on Friday and depart no earlier than 6:30 pm on Sunday.
Attendance is mandatory beginning on Friday with check-in, and does not end until Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Students are expected to attend the full weekend and complete all assignments to receive their Completion Letter. We understand emergencies and important scheduling conflicts can occur, so please contact the program coordinator as soon as possible if there is a situation that prevents you from meeting any of these requirements.
After registering for this course, you’ll get a link to join Canvas the day that your pre-assignments become available.
Hours include pre-weekend assignments, post-weekend assignments, and a course evaluation. Check with your au pair agency regarding hours and credits, as requirements vary. Scheduled activities may be subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances and may be different from previous weekends.
Discover the U.S.
Explore Chicago and make global connections as you work together with other au pairs from around the world! In this course, you will learn about U.S. geography, as well as exciting events in U.S. history and how they have influenced the current U.S. political culture and process. You'll have a chance to learn about your classmates' home countries and together you'll compare your own experiences to key aspects of American life. Through excursions and activities, you will be able to explore and further understand Chicago's important historical and cultural identity.
To accommodate travel time between the airport and class, plan to arrive for your course on a flight NO LATER than 12:30 pm on Friday and depart no earlier than 6:30 pm on Sunday.
Attendance is mandatory beginning on Friday with check-in, and does not end until Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Students are expected to attend the full weekend and complete all assignments to receive their Completion Letter. We understand emergencies and important scheduling conflicts can occur, so please contact the program coordinator as soon as possible if there is a situation that prevents you from meeting any of these requirements.
After registering for this course, you’ll get a link to join Canvas the day that your pre-assignments become available.
Hours include pre-weekend assignments, post-weekend assignments, and a course evaluation. Check with your au pair agency regarding hours and credits, as requirements vary. Scheduled activities may be subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances and may be different from previous weekends.
Courses are offered in collaboration with
Chicago is one of the BEST large cities in the USA! Our campus is in the heart of downtown, just blocks from the Art Institute, Grant Park, Millennium Park, Museum Campus and the Magnificent Mile.
Connect in the U.S. students will learn about the rich cultural diversity of Chicago and how to better collaborate with people from all backgrounds. Discover the U.S. students will experience the city's history and culture through activities that may include visiting Chicago's Millennium Park
and a photo scavenger hunt!
HOUSING
Take advantage of Au Pair Weekend's partnership with Hostelling International in Chicago!
During your course registration, you can add two nights at Hostelling International Chicago for an additional charge. There will be a $50 administration fee for all housing refunds. Refunds only allowed up to 30 days prior to the weekend start date.
Other Housing Options
NOTE: Au Pair Weekend is not affiliated with and does not recommend any of the specific accommodations below. Please do your own research before choosing your weekend housing.
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Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago, 65 E Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60605
TRANSPORTATION TO CAMPUS
Public Transportation
Campus is close to all main CTA train lines and a 20-minute walk from Union Station.
Travel Between Airports & Campus
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We are located 12 miles from Chicago Midway International Airport. The Orange Line will take you from Midway to campus (Campus is close to the the Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren Orange Line stop.)
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We are 18 miles from O’Hare International Airport. The Blue line will take you from O’Hare. (Campus is close to the Jackson or LaSalle Blue Line stops.)
Parking
Our campus is in a popular area, parking is expensive and sometimes hard to find, especially on weekends. There are multiple nearby parking lot options available for a fee.
■ If you have to drive to campus please plan on leaving at least an hour early to ensure you arrive on time.
■ Parking lot rates are between $20 - $30 per day. You can use the Spothero app or the following parking websites: ParkWhiz, Spot Angels, or ParkMe to reserve a discount spot before you go.
Please note: Parking is at your own risk! The University Campus, Hostelling International Chicago, Au Pair
Weekend, and most parking lots do not take responsibility for anything that may happen to your car or belongings while parked. Be sure not to have any valuables visible within the car.
chicago staff
Click on a staff member's photo to read their bio.
Emily
City Director
Misty
Program Coordinator
