BRIDGEPORT, CT - Au pairs and host families enjoyed being a part of the Junior League's Healthy Family 5K at the Beardsley Zoo on April 28th. Au pairs from South Africa and Brazil attended with their host families who live locally in Easton and Fairfield. Mareli Hill, an au pair from South Africa, won first place in the race for her age group, while her host mom, Sanna Tilley, was third in her age group.
Sanna was an au pair herself 15 years ago. She came to the US from Sweden with Au Pair in America, and is now married with two young children, living here in the states and hosting Mareli. When asked what Sanna likes most about having an au pair, Sanna says, "It's amazing to see the connection she has with our two girls. Mareli is a wonderful, adventurous, young role model from from South Africa that brings high quality childcare into our home. Sharing the cultural exchange aspect of the program is a great experience, especially when it feels as though they are now a part of your family."
Nicole Vereline, another host mom who participated in the race was glad they came out despite the rainy weather, "It was such a nice way to get us all up and out the door on a Sunday morning."
Nicole and her husband Joe have one year old twins and are hosting their au pair, Amanda Bueno, who is here from Brazil.
Participating in fun activities with their American host families is just one of many ways for an au pair become immersed within the culture here in the U.S. For those that don't know what the term "au pair" means, the definition is "on par" or "equal" in French. Au pair's are child care providers who live with a host family as part of an international cultural exchange program.
Au pairs come to the U.S. on a J-1 visa which allows them to stay for up to 2 years while studying here. Families and au pairs who work with Au Pair in America are encouraged to partake in fun, family centric activities such as this walk/run at the Beardsley Zoo.
If you're interested in learning more about hosting an au pair, visit www.aupairinamerica.com.
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PHOTOS:
FIRST: Visiting the Au Pair in America tent at the Junior League Healthy Family 5K: Joey Vereline, Joe Vereline, Amanda Bueno, Olivia Vereline, and Nicole Vereline.
SECOND: 1st place winner in her age group: Mareli Hill and her host Mom, Sanna Tilley, who placed 3rd in her age group.
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