We are honoring the 2019 Au Pair of the Year winners!
We received a record number of nominations – resulting in two-way ties for second and third place! This year, we are thrilled to acknowledge 5 inspiring young women and share their stories.
Sara Cieszko, an au pair from Poland, was recently announced as the second-place winner of the 2019 Au Pair in America Au Pair of the Year Award. Sara jumped at the opportunity to join the Siegel family and their two young sons in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. Sara, who has two younger brothers herself, touched the hearts of her host family, who nominated her the award.pennsylvania
The award, given annually by Au Pair in America, provides the opportunity for host families to show their appreciation for their au pair’s achievements and the ways in which she has touched their family, something Sara accomplished very quickly.
“Sara was amazing from the moment she arrived. Our two boys, ages 5.5 and 1.25, took to her immediately! I’ve never seen anything like the instantaneous way that our boys attached to her,” Ms. Siegel writes in her nomination essay.
Her host family praises her warmth and caring nature. “It is so obvious that she truly loves our children in everything that she does. We feel it in the way she cares for our kids. And we feel it in the absolute trust and love our kids feel for her,” writes Sara’s host mom. “Sara has earned a place in their hearts that is endearing.”
Sara is also passionate about learning more about American culture. “What amazes me is how she integrated into American culture. Sara began playing ping pong at the YMCA. Turns out she is a ping pong champ! Sara became friendly with the local ping pong community and has been invited to play at several local retirement communities and has been their guest for dinner several times,” Ms. Siegel writes.
In addition to socializing through ping pong, Sara also fully embraces the cultural exchange aspect of the au pair experience. “Sara was the guest of honor at a local Korean retirement community recently. She loved the food they made for her and she entertained them with a piano piece from her home culture and they sang Korean opera for her,” writes her host mom.
Sara has traveled extensively as well during her time in the United States. “She has traveled to New York and Washington several times to visit the museums and the historical and cultural sites,” states Ms. Siegel. “She took a course in Washington DC that included a visit to Congress!”
The Au Pair of the Year Award recognizes first, second and third place winners, chosen by a committee appointed by Au Pair in America. All nominees are nominated by their host family, who are asked to write an essay that describes the characteristics that make their au pair exceptional, noting the positive impact she has had on their family and explaining how she has integrated into their local community and learned about America. All nominees receive a certificate, with the top three winners also receiving round-trip airline tickets. Winners are announced in February.
The Siegel family is thrilled for Sara to be recognized as an Au Pair of the Year Award winner. “Sara is exceptional in every way,” Ms. Siegel writes. “We are so grateful to Au Pair in America for the opportunity to bring Sara into our family.”
Are you interested in creating a lifelong bond like Sara and her host family? Learn more about hosting an au pair with Au Pair in America!
