Celebrating 20 Years of Au Pair Weekend!
Updated: Oct 5
20 years ago, Au Pair Weekend started with a simple idea…
Dr. Lora Anderson Cook had spent years taking American students abroad. In 2004, while finishing her PhD in international education, she learned that au pairs in the United States were required to take educational courses. She saw a chance to reverse the model: help international visitors in the U.S. make the most of their own cultural exchange experience.
In October 2006, Lora and co-founder Jude Cook held the first course at Quincy College in Boston. Five au pairs attended. Within a year, APW expanded to New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
From Then to Now: How Au Pair Weekend Has Changed in 20 Years
2006: One city, five students. APW began in Boston with a single course and a simple goal: education that fit au pairs' schedules, their host families' budgets, and their desire to connect with others.
2007: Six cities in six months. Word spread quickly. Au pairs in other cities wanted the same option. Lora and Jude identified the cities with the most au pairs and the fewest convenient courses, then found an academic partner and instructors in each one. Over one summer, APW launched a new city about every two weeks: New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Growing the experience. Over the years, APW added longer course formats, field trips, cultural visits, and volunteer projects. The focus stayed the same: help au pairs learn, enjoy, and give back to the communities they live in.
Today. APW offers in-person courses in 13 locations, from Boston to Hawaii, including a new Wilderness & Wellness course in North Carolina. Courses are equivalent to 3 or 6 credits, and online courses let au pairs learn from anywhere. All APW courses are offered through schools of higher education and can satisfy the U.S. Department of State au pair educational requirement.
What hasn't changed is the reason behind it all: our mission to facilitate a transformative educational experience and strengthen the global community by connecting people, cultivating personal development, and building excellence in all we do.
Thank you to our students, for bringing curiosity and heart to every course. To our staff, for building an experience that goes far beyond the classroom. To our university partners, for sharing our commitment to accessible, quality education. To our agency partners, for trusting us with the au pairs you support. To our instructors, for sharing your expertise and passion. To everyone who has supported APW along the way.
What started with five au pairs in Boston has become a global community. Here's to the next 20 years!
With gratitude, The APW Team
Join Our Au Pair Story Giveaway! Share your au pair story with Au Pair Weekend by October 28 for a chance to win a free in-person destination course, equal to 6 college credits. One runner up will receive $100 in course credit. Visit @aupairweekend on Instagram for details!
It’s lovely to see how Au Pair Weekend has grown over the past 20 years while keeping its focus on cultural exchange and learning. For some downtime between classes and exploring new places, Stickman Hook is a fun little game to play when you just want to relax and unwind.
Wave Rider is a great choice for players who want a simple online game with an exciting water-sports atmosphere.