Each year, we invite our current au pairs to submit their favorite photos from their international exchange experiences with their host families to the Au Pair in America photo contest. We always get such incredible and inspiring submissions, and this year was no exception. Once we narrow down our finalists, we post them to Facebook and Instagram to ask our audience to vote for their favorites.
Introducing the winners and runners-up of the Au Pair in America annual photo contest for 2020!
Category: Family Portrait
🥇 First Place: Julia from Brazil
When asked, “What do you like doing with your host children? Why?” Julia said: “I like doing everything with them, since comforting when they are sick to running in the park, having [picnics] in the summer… teaching them Portuguese, sledding in the snow. Because when you do something with someone else, especially kids, it becomes like special memories, moments you’re gonna remember forever.”
🥈 Runner-Up: Gloria from Mexico
Upon being asked, “What do you like doing with your host children? Why?” Gloria shares: “I really enjoy to see them talk and play with themselves with each other because I can see how beautiful their imagination is!”
Category: Activities
🥇 First Place: Arianna from Italy
On what she loves most about being a member of her host family, Arianna says, “Everything! It’s hard [for] me to explain how much I love them and how much they gave me. I had two host kids that gave me some love of two little siblings could give you and a host mom that became my best friend, always there for me even for traveling.”
🥈 Runner-Up: Tahrarah from South Africa
Tahrarah says she loves being a member of her host family because she “really [feels] welcomed and cared for and part of the family.”
Category: Coast-to-Coast
🥇 First Place: Bianca from Brazil
When asked about her favorite memory so far in the United States, Bianca says, “I have so many memories already, but my favorite memory so far is the Easter Sunday. We had an amazing culture exchange about the different customs for this holiday and it was incredible to live it with my host family.”
🥈 Runner-Up: Diana from Costa Rica
Diana loves being part of her host family and, of all the things she enjoys, she says the thing she enjoys most is seeing “how the girls grow and progress in their lives.”
Category: Homework Help
🥇 First Place: Gina from Colombia
When asked, “What do you enjoy the most about being a member of your host family,” Gina tells us: “I share all about my country and culture. I can learn every day about their language, food, customs, and a lot of funny things. I definitely have the best host family. I love them!”
🥈 Runner-Up: Jennifer from Brazil
Gina was asked what she likes doing with her host children, and she said, “I like to teach new things because with each passing day she develops more and it is very gratifying to see her developing every day.”
Category: Multiples
🥇 First Place: Mayara from Brazil
“My family has always tried to make me feel comfortable with them, from the first moment I arrived. It was a big change in my life and they did everything they could to make me feel part of their family. They love to hear about my country, my culture, and my family. We always take a moment to talk, not only about my host kids but also about me.” What beautiful sentiments from Mayara about her host family!
🥈 Runner-Up: Lorrany from Brazil
When asked what she likes to do with her host children, Lorrany says, “I like to read stories, because it helps their imagination. I like to teach them new things, especially about my culture. I like to make art projects and let their artistic sides show, sing and make funny dances, and I like to play with them.”
Category: Sharing the Culture
🥇 First Place: Estelle from France
Estelle loves spending time with her host children, saying “I take care of four children who like different things. For example, Frankie, Alice, and I love baking cakes and our favorite, banana bread. Joe (the smallest) and I love playing games together, especially math games. And I like playing basketball with the oldest one, Mac. We both love the Chicago Bulls! But when we’re all together, we love playing football, basketball, and so, so, so many games. They’re so fun and amazing to be with.”
🥈 Runner-Up: Karolina from Poland
When asked what her favorite memory of her stay in the United States so far, Karolina was quick to think of one having to do with her host children! “My 2 years-old host kid called me, ‘my Kweena,’ thinking that this is my name. It is my cherished nickname!”
Category: Young Ones
🥇🥇 Tie: Munick and Stefani from Brazil
Munick says, “I love to go to the park with my host kid (2-year-old) because he loves [making] friends and having fun. I love to dance with my host kid (14-year-old) because we can create choreographies and we laugh a lot; we have a lot of fun!”
Stefani says she loves being a member of her host family because “I can share my thoughts, experiences and ideas with both of my host parents at any time. They treat me as an adult and member of the family and always ask what my opinion is for whatever we are discussing. I also get to teach Quinn some Portuguese and we cook together almost every day. I love it!”
