My name is Jael Baum, I am 20 years old and I live in Switzerland. I live in a small town called Frauenfeld. I would like to come to the US to work as an au pair.

EXPERIENCE :

• Currently I am working as an apprentice in a grocery store. I’ve been doing this apprenticeship for two and a half years now, and I’ll be finishing it this summer. The apprenticeship consists an on-the-job training part (which means three days of work in the store) and an off-the-job training part (that means that I go to school two days a week). What I like most in my job is the contact with the customers. They often ask me if I can help them. I also enjoy working in a team.

• I have worked as a camp counselor for kids ages 6-8 at the YMCA. We had a fireplace in the forest, we went there alot and cooked a meal or a sausages. Sometimes we used to stay our house (CVJM/YMCA). There we have a lot of things we did with the children. For example reading a story to them or played theater. Sometimes we also watched a movie together and talked about it with the group.

• I have babysat 2 boys. I played with them in the garden and went with the to the lake. They lived on a farm, and had to help there alot. For exemple apple picking, or the cows were grazing on the day, get back into the stall. When it was bed weather i go with them to the cinema, or go for bowling.

• For a week in high school I worked at a daycare center as part of my schooling. Tasks for the kids included: feeding, diaper changing, play games, dress them, draw, sing and tell them stories.

PERSONALITY :

• I like to edit pictures, from me and other people. I can also paint very well, and tinker. I like to read or to cook something with the children.

• When the weather is good i like go outside to the playground, or to the zoo. Or go outside to make a picknick. Maybe also go for a walk with the dog. At home i like to tell kids a story from a book or tinker some things. i also like to play with their toys. I also can help them with homework, or let them draw some paintings. i can also bake or cook with them. These are just a few ideas about my activities about the children.

• I love to learn about new places and countries and I am very interested in getting to know new cultures, so I enjoy travelling a lot. I think it’s very interesting to discover how people from different countries have different mentalities and manners. Last winter, I travelled with my best friend to Berlin (Germany) and last summer we were in Spain and Portugal. On my birthday we were in Prague.

I am open and very honest. I am looking forward very much to get to know the country and learn to love my host family. I also hope I can help the family, when I look after the children. I would also enjoy very much to tell all of you about Switzerland and bring you our culture a bit closer. I would be very happy about a call or an e mail from you to get to know you.

Best regards,
Jael from Switzerland