Maria - Occupational Therapist
Demarest, NJ
This year abroad has been an incredible mix of adventure, growth, and unforgettable memories. From traveling to cities like NYC, Boston, and Washington D.C., to exploring Cape Cod and Walt Disney World during my Travel Class, every experience pushed me out of my comfort zone – whether it was navigating a new city alone, going on rollercoasters I was nervous about, or making new friends who became instant cheerleaders.
Living with my host family has been full of heartwarming moments. The youngest child told me “I love you” after just a week, and I’ve seen the child with autism become calmer and more confident as I learned to support them. Creating and following a therapy plan for all three kids showed me just how much I’ve grown professionally and how much I’ve internalized the skills I learned in occupational therapy school – sometimes without even realizing it!
I am so grateful to my friends, mentors, and host family for all their guidance, support, and encouragement. This year has taught me that stepping into the unknown is where the magic happens – you learn, you grow, and sometimes you even find a little bit of yourself in the process.
As Moana reminds us: “The call isn’t out there at all, it’s inside me. It’s like the tide, always falling and rising.” This year has been about following my heart, trusting my path, and going after new experiences, even when it’s hard.
Kiana - Occupational Therapist
Arlington, VA
I’m so grateful for all the people I met here and for the friendships that grew along the way. What started as a new experience turned into meaningful connections that I truly believe will last for a long time.
Maja - Occupational Therapist
Arlington, VA
I gained family while being abroad, family that I never thought will be a part of my life ! I miss them and I am happy that I got to know them with all their ups and downs ! I felt so welcomed in my first year even though it was a rough time there ! I also enjoyed the little things in Moments as you’ll see on some pictures ! Never forget – Don’t give up! You can do it!
Jana - Occupational Therapist
Decatur, GA
Sabine - Educator
Brentwood, TN
Sarah - Occupational Therapist
Arlington, VA
The most important thing for me here is simply my friends, who turned a place far from home into home!
Anna - Physical Therapist
Rockville, MD
When I accompanied my host child to an intensive therapy session, she got upset in the middle of it. I was rocking her and humming to calm her down. We were surrounded by other children working with other therapists at the same location. When I finished singing ‚es tanzt ein Biba-Butzemann‘, a German nursery rhyme, someone all of a sudden said, ‚I definitely did not expect to hear that song around here‘. At first, I wasn’t really surprised, but a second later, I realized she said it in German and not in English. 😂 We found out that we are both au pairs from Germany, both PTs, and working with Apex. On top of that, we grew up in the same region in Germany and in general really align on a lot of hobbies and interests. Sometimes the world feels so much smaller than it actually is 🤭.
To this day, she and I still joke that we might have passed each other altogether if I had not been singing the Biba-Butzemann song 😂😂😂.
Marlene - Physical Therapist
Springfield, VA
One thing I truly appreciate is the time spent with other Care Professionals. You meet people here that you probably would have never met back home, and that makes it really special. Because we all share the same experience, there’s always something to talk about — but it’s also about the little moments together, like getting coffee, having game nights*, or going bowling.
It always brings me so much joy to see everyone and hear how they are experiencing this journey in their own way.
*taco, cat, goat, cheese, pizza
Mae Belyn - Educator
North Wales, PA
I played in a handball tournament at the military academy in West Point. My team never practiced for it, but we came in third out of six teams.
Jessica - Physical Therapist
Cibolo, TX
Thank you, Carla, for making this year so great, even when you are in Chicago! It is a true friendship <3
Melissa - Social Worker BA
South Orange, NJ
To everyone I met along the way – thank you for being part of this chapter. You made it unforgettable. No matter where life takes us next, I’ll always carry these memories with me. 💛✨
Franka - Nurse
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
Not everyone will understand your path, but it’s important to follow your own goals.
Violetta - Special Needs Care Provider
Fort Belvoir, VA
Keep your heart and mind open. You never know where it might take you. Do what feels right!
Joshua - Nurse
Arlington, VA
Thank you to all my friends that I made so far during my time in the US with Apex. You are great and you are making my time here so much easier, and you are also the main reason, why I can grow personally and socially!
Franziska - Physical Therapist
Montclair, NJ
Being back in Germany and seeing my friends after a year away felt like we’d never been apart. That’s what a deep friendship feels like.
Joshua - Nurse
Arlington, VA
Thank you to all my friends that I made so far during my time in the US with Apex. You are great and you are making my time here so much easier, and you are also the main reason, why I can grow personally and socially!
Franziska - Physical Therapist
Montclair, NJ
Being back in Germany and seeing my friends after a year away felt like we’d never been apart. That’s what a deep friendship feels like.