Perhaps push her a bit out if her comfort zone - might she be willing to try deep dish pizza? Chicken nuggets? Cherry coke?
How did the sleepover go?
On the night they arrive, they’ve been travelling for so long they cannot think straight. Typically it should get better as time goes.
The French student should have had at least 5-6 years of English. In high school, they need to cover four large concepts with a variety of examples from various English speaking countries :“Myths and Heroes” (typical case study involving the US involves history of immigration and the American dream), “Places and forms of power” , “the idea of progress”, “Spaces and exchanges” (their month abroad is allowed as a topic they can discuss during their oral exam -10mn all in English, taken during senior year.)
Simply going to a supermarket and asking them to find as many things that are different from their country As they can, and listing anything they think is 'typically American ’ can start a fun discussion (you can make a similar list and everyone can compare. There will likely be surprises.)
@dragonmom To augment MotherofDragons’ comment, au pairs are young women, late teens / early twenties (typically women, but I suppose there are now young men too) who are brought to the US as part of a cultural exchange, and provide childcare / light housekeeping services in exchange for room and board and a stipend. They are only there for a year. The au pair programs have limits on the # of hours per week they can work. You don’t pay taxes on the stipend you pay. The au pairs are not necessarily looking to make childcare a career; this is a way for them to experience life in the US. It would be expected that you include them in the majority of your family activities (e.g., if you all went to the beach, you would bring her).
A nanny is someone who has made childcare (and potentially housekeeping) as her career. They can be live-in or live-out (live-in is cheaper, as room and board is part of the pay). You can ask a nanny to work more hours than you can an au pair, so it is often a better choice for people who travel or have unexpected late hours. You pay taxes on what you pay a nanny, and the base salary is greater than an au pair. It would not be expected that you include them in family activities (though you certainly could if that’s how the relationship developed).
Many working mothers I knew had au pairs. The pro was that their kids had the benefit of a young person (with all that energy) and they got to know people from different cultures. The con was that they had to adjust to a new person every year. Others prefer nannies because you can have longer-term stability.
Hope this helps explain! Carry on.
I have a family member who has done that in several elections, and they, and we, have indicated that we will do it this year.
Does the Asian girl speak the same language or dialect as the other Asian girls? There are so many dialects. She may be very homesick. Could she skype with her folks?
Good idea- we are going in a few minutes!
I have rented rooms to foreign grad students, ESL students, and once to a campaign worker. For differing reasons I have enjoyed them all. The campaign worker was great as a housemate, as he would work 12 to 16 hour days, and following the day to day events of the campaign was fascinating. As he wasn’t much of a cook, I ended up saving food for him some of the time, and felt feeding him while hearing about his day was part of my campaign contribution.
As I think the best roommates are busy with their own projects, he was the best, and it is nice to follow his continuing political involvement on FB.
I left a comment for her supervisor and she hasn’t gotten back to me yet. Staying at home and not going anywhere on her days off program is my biggest concern.
We hosted British soccer coaches who were here for a summer soccer program S participated in a couple of times. IIRC it was about 3 weeks. That was always pleasant. I would imagine that it would be similar to hosting a campaign worker, because they were busy almost all the time, including the evenings.
NEWS FLASH: our Asian student left during the night to take a job here! She said to not contact her. It’s Sunday and we can’t reach anyone at the program. She used the program as a way to get into the country.
^^^Wow. Keep us updated on that development. It is also hard to believe that the program has no contact number on weekends. This is even more of an issue as the student is a minor. Were you given her parents’ contact information? You may want to inform them if you can do so.
PS, I do not understand what kind of job she could take and have a place to live? She also barely speaks English, you had mentioned. She is a minor and so I am curious.
Well, that is an unforeseen twist and some drama! How old is she or was she lying about that, as well?!
I agree that its odd there isn’t a number where you can reach someone at any time.
She is 16
Honestly, you should be calling the police. If she is a minor, it’s an issue and even if she isn’t, it’s an issue.
Oh my goodness. I’m with @doschicos , she’s a minor, you have responsibility for her-call the cops!!!
Oh my gosh, this is not good.
Wow. I agree about calling the police. There could be some foul play involved.
Totally agree…call the police. At this point, she is an undocumented runaway.
Scary! I’d definitely call the police!
There could be something fishy. She may be pulling a stunt, or she could have been taken somewhere against her will (finding a job as a 16 year old who arrived 2 days ago, without a work authorization, and without speaking English doesn’t sound right…) I’d call the cops. Regardless of what is is, something’s awry.
Wowza! Didn’t see that coming!