Upcoming Courses
February 5 - 8, 2026
Registration closes January 20, but may sell out sooner
$1,199
Equivalent to 6 Credits (60/72 Hours)
Join us for the 'Discover & Connect in the U.S.' weekend course!
April 30 - May 3, 2026
Registration closes April 15, but may sell out sooner
$1,199
Equivalent to 6 Credits (60/72 Hours)
Join us for the 'Discover & Connect in the U.S.' weekend course!
Texas Course Details
In-person courses include both pre-weekend and post-weekend assignments. Pre-weekend assignments open 4 weeks before the scheduled weekend and are due 1 week before the city weekend. After the weekend, you will have 4 weeks to complete your coursework.
Discover & Connect in the U.S.
Learn about community and American culture, and make global connections through our Discover & Connect in the U.S. course. Created just for au pairs, this combo course will help you navigate the many emotions and experiences that come with living abroad in the United States. Build connections with your au pair classmates through a variety of excursions, activities, and engaging in class discussions.
To accommodate travel time between the airport and class, plan to arrive for your course on a flight NO LATER than 10:30 am on Thursday and depart no earlier than 4:00 pm on Sunday.
Attendance is mandatory beginning on Thursday with check-in, and does not end until Sunday at 1:00 pm. 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
Live the Real Cowboy Life
Imagine this:
You're riding horseback through authentic Texas Hill Country, learning to rope like a real cowboy, eating BBQ under the stars, and making friends from around the world - all while earning your educational credits.
This isn't just another weekend class. Our Texas course gives you an authentic immersion into cowboy culture at the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandera: the "Cowboy Capital of the World." Students call it "life-changing," and many say it's the best weekend of their entire au pair year.
You'll discover American culture from a Texas perspective: exploring everything from the American Dream and U.S. history to Texas's unique cowboy heritage. Through interactive activities like Cultural Show & Tell and Circle Talk, you'll connect deeply with au pairs from around the world while developing real skills in cultural awareness and conflict resolution that you'll use throughout your au pair year.
You'll start in San Antonio, exploring the historic Alamo and experiencing the vibrant River Walk. Then you'll head to the ranch for two and a half days of complete immersion: horseback riding, cowboy breakfasts, line dancing, campfires with s'mores, and engaging classes taught by passionate instructors who make history come alive.
"I dreamed of going to Texas for a long time and I thought it's a nice chance to combine a trip and the credits. I was really excited but I never expected it to be SO GOOD! I loved everything about this weekend from the first second on. The instructors were super nice and welcoming, the location was AMAZING, the activities were super fun, the people I met became friends and I made memories for a lifetime! Thank you for the opportunity to experience Texas in the most amazing way!"
— Florentine S., Germany
Worth 60-72 hours (equivalent to 6 educational credits) toward your au pair requirements. Housing, transportation between locations, and all activities are included.
housing
Check-in is at the Historic Hotel Gibbs on Alamo Plaza. Transportation between Hotel Gibbs and the Mayan Dude Ranch is provided by Au Pair Weekend and is included in the course price.
Three nights of housing are included in this course. Thursday night housing will be provided at one of two San Antonio Hotels (either Hotel Gibbs or Hotel 1914 Historic Alamo Riverwalk). Friday and Saturday night housing will be provided at the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandera, Texas. All standard housing includes two students per room with a shared bathroom.
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If a student would like to upgrade to a private room or would like to add an extra night of housing on either Wednesday night before the course begins or Sunday night after the course ends, these options will be available during registration.
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For students who drive a car to the course, overnight parking in downtown San Antonio costs about $45. There are no parking fees at the Mayan Dude Ranch.
TRANSPORTATION TO CAMPUS
Travel Between Airport & Campus
The weekend begins in San Antonio with check-in at the Historic Hotel Gibbs. Ubers/Lyfts are required to get there from the airport, as public transportation is not available.
After you arrive at the hotel for check-in, the weekend's transportation is covered by Au Pair Weekend. We provide travel from there to the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandera, TX. At the end of the weekend, we also provide a ride to the airport or back to San Antonio, whichever you prefer.
Note: Students who stay at the hotel for an extra night on Sunday will also have to pay for their own Uber/Lyft on Monday from the hotel to the airport to catch their flight.
TEXAS staff
Click on a staff member's photo to read their bio.
Marcos
City Director
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Mary Ellen
Program Coordinator/Instructor
Becky
Instructor
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