<p>Au pair life is a busy life—in the best way possible. When not on-duty, au pairs have the opportunity to <a href="https://blog.culturalcare.com/stories/au-pairs-for-their-communities">discover their own community</a>, travel to other U.S. destinations, join au pair meetings, <a href="https://blog.culturalcare.com/stories/my-american-education">attend local classes</a> and make new friends. But it’s also ok (and sometimes necessary) to stay home.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Besides catching up on all the <a href="https://blog.culturalcare.com/travel-and-culture/5-feel-good-american-tv-shows-to-watch">best Netflix shows</a>, there are some pretty cool—and totally free—ways au pairs can spend their off-duty hours from the comfort of their own bedrooms. We’re sharing everything from the next-best-alternatives to in-person travel to helpful ways to record memories in America. So here goes…</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-1133 size-full" src="http://blog-api.culturalcare.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/OnlineClasses_2.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="530" srcset="https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/OnlineClasses_2.jpg 800w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/OnlineClasses_2-300x199.jpg 300w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/OnlineClasses_2-768x509.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></p>
<h2><strong>1. Take your learning online</strong></h2>
<p>Did you ever imagine studying at an American university? To gain credits and knowledge that will help your career and CV? It’s now possible to attend classes online at several prestigious schools in the U.S. Some of our favorites include: <a href="https://www.pace.edu/eli/english-language-programs/au-pairs/online/intensives">Unlock Your Inner Leader</a> and <a href="https://www.pace.edu/eli/english-language-programs/au-pairs/online/intensives">Digital Marketing &amp; Social Media</a> at Pace University, <a href="https://www.aupairclasses.org/online-courses">Make a Difference</a> at the College of Saint Rose and <a href="https://www.purchase.edu/academics/continuing-education/international-institute/explorations-in-american-life-and-language/courses/">Business English</a> and <a href="https://www.purchase.edu/academics/continuing-education/international-institute/explorations-in-american-life-and-language/courses/">Vision Board</a> from Purchase College.</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2><strong>2. Join a Celebrity Book Club</strong></h2>
<p>If you’re a bookworm at heart, it’s a great time to join a book club while here in the U.S.—and we recommend <a href="https://hello-sunshine.com/book-club">this one led by celebrity-actor Reese Witherspoon</a>! She picks a new book every month, and her followers talk all about it on social media. <a href="https://www.audible.com/ep/freetrial?source_code=GO1GBSH08051690CG&amp;device=d&amp;ds_rl=1262685&amp;ds_rl=1257028&amp;ds_rl=1260658&amp;cvosrc=ppc.google.what%20is%20audible%20app&amp;cvo_campaign=226475049&amp;cvo_crid=384393759503&amp;Matchtype=e&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi_G-0cjU6AIViY7ICh3L9gRlEAAYASAAEgLD_vD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">Start your month-long trial of the Audible app</a> to read your first book for free!</p>
<h2><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-1134 size-full" src="http://blog-api.culturalcare.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/National-Parks-1.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="530" srcset="https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/National-Parks-1.jpg 800w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/National-Parks-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/National-Parks-1-768x509.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></h2>
<h2><strong>3. Visit 100+ U.S. National Parks</strong></h2>
<p>Even when a road trip is not on the agenda for the weekend, you can still enjoy <a href="https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/en-us/national-parks-service/parks">stunning views of five of America’s most beautiful national parks</a> thanks to Google’s Arts &amp; Culture website. Two of the destinations—the volcanoes of Hawaii and Bryce Canyon—are very popular au pair destinations, so one day you might plan to visit these sights in person! You can also <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/search/streetview?project=national-park-service">explore over 100 other U.S. parks</a> using Google’s “street view” for more great travel inspiration.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-1135 size-full" src="http://blog-api.culturalcare.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Yoga-fitness-classes.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="530" srcset="https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Yoga-fitness-classes.jpg 800w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Yoga-fitness-classes-300x199.jpg 300w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Yoga-fitness-classes-768x509.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></p>
<h2><strong>4. Namaste Every Day</strong></h2>
<p>When you can’t get to the yoga studio, keeping physically fit can happen right at home with the help of online classes. Core Power Yoga is sharing a <a href="https://www.corepoweryogaondemand.com/keep-up-your-practice">new collection of free yoga and meditation classes</a> each week and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZkDZKOcvYTh4dRDXQ71m7gQUmWkDmLAl">this YouTube channel</a> features popular 30-minute yoga workouts. New users can download and use the <a href="https://echelonfit.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh7T8vqTV6AIVDrbICh3aMQ7fEAAYASAAEgLg1PD_BwE">Echelon</a> and <a href="https://www.onepeloton.com/app">Peloton apps</a> for free for 90 days, to try their on-demand yoga, dance, core, Pilates and spin classes.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>5. Connect With Your Besties </strong></h2>
<p>If you’re craving some face time with friends and family back home, or even those across town, <a href="https://zoom.us/">Zoom conferencing offers a free basic membership</a>. Sign up and invite all of your favorite people to join you online for a chat, sing-along, or a living room dance-off.</p>
<h2></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>6. Be like Buddha and Meditate </strong></h2>
<p>Science shows that meditation has a positive impact on mental, physical, and emotional health—in as little as 10 days! If you’re interested in giving meditation a try, we recommend getting help from a very popular app called <a href="https://www.headspace.com/?%243p=a_google_adwords&amp;%24always_deeplink=false&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgfDj0dLU6AIVBY3ICh2ZwgXkEAAYASAAEgI9zPD_BwE&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgfDj0dLU6AIVBY3ICh2ZwgXkEAAYASAAEgI9zPD_BwE&amp;lpurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.headspace.com&amp;~ad_set_id=68065219102&amp;~campaign_id=1919439341&amp;~channel=g&amp;~keyword=headspace&amp;~placement=&amp;_branch_match_id=743948941251263286">Headspace</a>. Their 10-day free trial helps guide beginners through the essentials of meditation and mindfulness.</p>
<h2><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-1120 size-full" src="http://blog-api.culturalcare.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Art-Museum.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="530" srcset="https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Art-Museum.jpg 800w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Art-Museum-300x199.jpg 300w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Art-Museum-768x509.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>7. Eye Some Awesome Art</strong></h2>
<p>If you’re an art lover, <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en">take a spin through some of the USA’s most famous museums</a>, and be inspired by the masterpieces inside, using the Google Arts and Culture site. The <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/moma-the-museum-of-modern-art?hl=en">Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)</a> in NYC, the <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/international-museum-of-women?hl=en">International Museum of Women</a> in San Francisco and <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/search?q=smithsonian&amp;hl=en">36 collections at the Smithsonian Institution</a> in Washington DC are some great places to start!</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-1136 size-full" src="http://blog-api.culturalcare.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Applying-Makeup.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="530" srcset="https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Applying-Makeup.jpg 800w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Applying-Makeup-300x199.jpg 300w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Applying-Makeup-768x509.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></p>
<h2><strong>8. Learn to Put on Make-Up </strong><strong>(and Other Life-Changing Skills) </strong></h2>
<p>It’s always a good time to learn a new skill, so take advantage of <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/signup?via=site-banner&amp;redirectTo=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skillshare.com%2Fmembership%2Fcheckout%3Fcoupon%3Dsite2free%26via%3Dsite-banner">a free 2-month subscription to Skillshare</a> to master a new talent. With the help of their online instructors, you’ll find out how to<a href="https://www.skillshare.com/browse/makeup"> apply makeup</a>, <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/browse/fine-art">unwind with watercolor</a>, <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/browse/photography?sort=trending">take great photos</a> or <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Sketchbook-Illustration-Draw-a-Personal-Colorful-Travel-Map/40939085?via=browse-trending-illustration-layout-grid">create your own personal travel map</a>. You can also learn the basics of web development by joining a <a href="https://dash.generalassemb.ly/">free online class offered by General Assembly</a>.</p>
<h2></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>9. Listen up </strong></h2>
<p>Tuning into podcasts is a great way to unwind, be entertained and improve your English comprehension! You can use any number of apps, including Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Overcast, to find something you love listening to. Two recommendations include the transformative travel stories of <a href="https://www.ef.com/podcast">EF Outbound</a> and interesting tales shared by <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beautiful-stories-from-anonymous-people/id1090147504">Beautiful Stories of Anonymous People</a>.</p>
<h2></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-1122 size-full" src="http://blog-api.culturalcare.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Journaling.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="530" srcset="https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Journaling.jpg 800w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Journaling-300x199.jpg 300w, https://blog-api.culturalcare.world//app/uploads/sites/21/2020/04/Journaling-768x509.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></p>
<h2><strong>10. Journal your journey</strong></h2>
<p>Journaling has so many health benefits—it has been shown to help ease stress and boost your mood—and it can also help you remember the most important times of your life—like right now! Some great journaling apps to try: <a href="https://momentoapp.com/?utm_source=zapier.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=zapier">Momento</a> smartly organizes your own social media activity; <a href="https://griddiaryapp.com/?utm_source=zapier.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=zapier">Grid Diary</a> provides prompts to help you express gratitude and learn more about yourself; and <a href="https://daylio.webflow.io/?utm_source=zapier.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=zapier">Daylio</a> offers an easy way to track your mood and activities. All three of these apps have free versions for download.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>We hope you’re inspired to try a few of these ideas in your free time. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got books to discuss with our friend Reese!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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Making the most of staying home

When you’re an au pair stuck at home, there are lots of great ways to spend your time—take a class at Harvard, join a celebrity book club or journal your journey.   

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