I thought I might as well post some of my answers to the most common question during the application and matching process:
Why I want to be an au pair:
It has always been my dream to become an au pair. Children are so exciting and I really love and enjoy working with them! I have so many ideas which activities I could do with them. My goal is to enrich their lives. As an au pair I have the opportunity to gather international work and study experiences and moreover further practice in dealing with children. I believe that children are the best teacher you can have in your life, because they are fully innocent and society hasn't touched them yet, therefore I am excited to see what your children can teach me about life. Furthermore; I feel like I am not fully done with my "American Dream", so I want to take the opportunity to get to know more of the USA and improving my english.
Please describe your experience with any household duties (cooking, cleaning..):
In our family everyone has to do specific daily chores like vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, cooking, walking the dog and so on. I also often cook for me and my younger "stepbrother" (my mother's boyfriend's son), when he is hungry. Obviously, if someone doesn't feel good or had a very exhausting day, I help them out with their tasks. Setting the table and putting up the dishes always does somebody who didn't cook that day. Additionally, I wash my own clothes and iron them. In Conclusion, i have experience with any kind of household duties.
Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?
Yes. My boyfriend is not going to be in Germany while I am gone, because he is doing an Au Pair or Work and Travel as well. When we were just dating for a few weeks, I visited my host family in Louisiana for a month and that was not an issue for us. Of course a month isn't a whole year, but by the time I leave we will be together for almost 2 years, therefore we do know each other like ourselves. We will stay in contact through texting, Skype and letters. Obviously this will not take place during my work time. As both of us trust each other fully, we do not see any issues regarding trust. Even if we realize we are not happy with being apart, I believe that is just how it is suppossed to be, therefore I will accept it. Overall, I don't worry about our relationship, because we know about the separation since we met.
Your views on raising children:
I feel confident and secure on working with children and I want to provide them individual attention. Children's safety and their well-being comes first! I believe raising children is about teaching them early on how to take responsibility e.g. by making them put their dishes in the dishwasher. Also, being strict when it comes to serious matters e.g. homework, cleaning their room, but at the same time being like a best friend or big sister for them. Children should be taught, respect, love, gratitude and patience to help them become a well adjusted, independant adult.
Anne
