Training as an Au Pair in New York: My Experience of the Warm Welcoming Orientation with Au Pair in America
Before joining my host family in Georgia, I participated in the famous two-day Warm Welcoming Orientation organized by Au Pair in America. It’s often discussed before departure, but few truly know what to expect. In this article, I detail my experience: the program, organization, activities, and the highlights of this training.
What Is the Warm Welcoming Training?
The Warm Welcoming Training is an integration program designed to prepare new au pairs for their life in the United States. During this training, you will learn:
The basics of the au pair role
Child safety and emergency management
How to adapt to American culture and daily life in the United States
Practical Information and Accommodation
I stayed at the Embassy Suites Newark Airport
📍 95 International Boulevard, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Here are some essential points to know for this stage:
Free Shuttles: Available from Newark Airport every 30 minutes (meeting point in Zone P4)
Transportation from JFK: Organized by Au Pair in America; information will be provided before departure
Shared Accommodation: You will share a room with other au pairs heading to the same host city
Meals Included: Dinner on the first day, breakfast and lunch on the second day, and breakfast on the final day
Snack Bag Provided: If you arrive before lunch, a snack bag is available to help you explore the surroundings
A Cultural Immersion from the Start
From the moment I arrived, I was thrown into a multicultural whirlwind with over 50 different nationalities. We were divided according to our destination cities, which meant I got to share a room with two amazing Polish girls also heading to Marietta, Georgia.
Arrival at the Hotel and Day 1 Training
Welcome and Check-In
Upon arriving at the hotel, we were taken to a room dedicated to au pairs where we:
Confirmed our arrival with the team
Verified our administrative documents
Received our room keys
Received our Au Pair in America T-shirt (an essential souvenir!)
After these formalities, it was time to recover from the long flights and the infamous jet lag. I recall a group game where we compared our travel times—the winner? A Japanese au pair who traveled over 24 hours to get here! Respect.
Exploration and First Encounters
With my friends, we then explored The Mills at Jersey Gardens Mall, our very first American shopping center, located near the hotel. Did we buy anything? Nope. Did we marvel at the gigantic stores and overpriced pretzels? Absolutely. Even though we didn’t buy anything, the experience was very interesting and enriching.
The evening buffet was a highlight—because food, obviously—but also because it was the perfect opportunity to chat, laugh, and realize that despite our different backgrounds, we were all in the same boat. Tip: Don’t just stick to people from your country. Meeting people from different cultures is part of the fun!
Day 2: Welcome Session – Training & New York Tour
Morning Training Session
8:00 AM: Training begins in the ballroom
Punctuality is essential! Make sure to set your alarm and coordinate with your roommates, especially if you share a bathroom.8:00 AM - 12:15 PM: Training session
The training covered various topics through group activities.
Important Rule: Phones must be turned off during the session. The team actually walks around to check—no sneaky TikTok scrolling! 👀
Group Activities
We were divided into 4 groups based on the ages of the children we will be caring for:
Group 1: Babies – up to 2 years
Group 2: Children from 3 to 5 years
Group 3: Children from 6 to 10 years
Group 4: Children 11 years and older
Each group designed several activities to engage the children (reading, going to the park, dancing, drawing, etc.). One particularly fun activity involved changing the theme every 5 minutes (for example, “American Boys are ?” or “USA is…”) to note our first impressions. The compiled answers were very entertaining.
Lunch and Afternoon Training
🍽 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM: Lunch at the hotel restaurant
📚 1:15 PM - 3:00 PM: More training (because safety first!)
New York Tour
🚌 3:00 PM: Departure for THE iconic New York tour!
Our itinerary:
Bus tour with a guide
Stop at Central Park (I may or may not have recreated a movie scene in my head)
Times Square (Overwhelming? Yes. Amazing? Also yes.)
We toured the city until about 8:00 PM, and then the bus returned us to the hotel around 9:00 PM.
Note: Dinner is not included for the late return. Most au pairs manage by buying a sandwich or a quick meal.
Tip: Before your departure, exchange some dollars to facilitate purchases and souvenir shopping during the tour.
Topics Covered During the Training
The advantages of a legal program
The first three days with the host family
The three prohibitions to respect
Mental health (P3)
Safety first – for you and the children
Managing children’s behavior
Communication with the host family
Departure instructions
Day 3 – Hotel Checkout
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Check-out with the orientation team in the main hall
Departures are organized in groups or individually, depending on your flight or train schedule. In my case, I flew with a German girl heading to Atlanta, while my Polish roommates left a bit earlier.
Why Is This Training Unforgettable?
International Connections: You’ll make friends from around the world even before arriving at your host city.
Essential Learning: Safety, American culture, and how to handle kids (because let’s be real, that’s kind of important).
Unique Experience: You’ll enjoy an immersive cultural experience and share memorable moments before officially beginning your adventure.
If you are a future au pair with Au Pair in America, I highly recommend taking full advantage of this training. I hope my account helps you visualize what awaits you. Feel free to ask your questions in the comments!
🚀 See you soon for more adventures!
