VANESSA, 30 JAHRE

Hello dear host family, My name is Vanessa Alexandra Zuñiga Rodelo, I was born in Cartagena - Colombia, but currently I live in Bogotá. I am part of a community in which I prepare to be an Au Pair by participating in psychopedagogy, neuroeducation and pedagogy workshops.I am pleased to share these lines with you, so you will know who I am, my motivations and interests. I am a determined, loving, and intelligent woman. I have been brought up with a great sense of responsibility, so I am very aware of each of my obligations and I strive to fulfill each of them with a high level of commitment. Other people describe me as someone who can be trusted, they highlight my empathy and respect for others. I reflect this every day in my work with children and young people, to whom I offer all my dedication and love, working for their education, being their teacher and their support. I come from an amazing family. My father, Rodolfo, has been working for 26 years in an agrochemical company. My mother, Berly, is a housewife and the best cook in the world. My older brother, Alejandro, works with heavy machinery, and my younger brother, Junior, is a graphic designer. In addition, I have two beautiful nephews, Christopher, and Alejandro Jr, who is also my godson. My family is my biggest support, and they are always there for me, no matter the distance. I have been very lucky to have them, I am grateful for them every day. I am a Social Communicator by profession, but my vocation has always been teaching. I have a specialization in English language Teaching, also a master's degree in Neuropsychology and education. Both have been very enriching for me, especially because I understood how children's brains learn, what their educational and emotional needs are, and how to meet them for proper development. I also have a background in nutrition, so I know the basics of a balanced diet. I am currently in the process of certifying my knowledge in first aid and improving swimming skills. I really enjoy doing outdoor activities, such as walking, picnicking, or going to the beach, as well as traveling and getting to know new places. I also enjoy trying new gastronomy and getting to know restaurants in the company of family or friends. Being at home I enjoy preparing delicious desserts or doing crafts such as knitting. When I have time alone, I practice meditation and take time for my self-care. I am always open to exploring and learning new things. My experience with children began when I was at university. I had the opportunity to work in an NGO that cared for children with cancer, there I held creative writing workshops with children between 4 and 9 years old. Then, I joined Teach for Colombia, a member of Teach For All, an NGO that works for educational quality. This is how I taught English in vulnerable contexts of the Colombian Caribbean to children between the ages of 5 and 12, in those classes I included games, artistic activities and challenges, which stimulated students and promoted better learning. I also have my nephews with whom I enjoy sharing playtime. In addition, on weekends I take care of my little cousins by helping them with their homework, preparing food for them or taking them to museums and parks. From children I have learned to be patient, constant, to always have a good attitude that makes them feel comfortable and accompanied, without forgetting to set healthy limits. Their tenderness and joy are the engine of my vocation, and they fill my life with purpose. I have always dreamed of living a cultural exchange experience. I chose to be an Au Pair because it not only allows me to achieve it, but also gives me the opportunity to continue doing what I enjoy most, which is working with children, contributing to their education from care and love. I will also be able to improve my knowledge in English, as well as learn a third language. In addition, it motivates me to know that I will have the opportunity to meet new places by making small trips in my free time. After the time that I will be abroad, I hope to return to my country and share the experience with my future students, since in the long term I see myself working again as a teacher. I speak Spanish as my mother tongue. Currently, I have an intermediate-advanced level of written and oral English, as well as an advanced level in listening and reading. It motivates me to have the opportunity to reach a higher conversational level. In addition, I would like to have the opportunity to get acquainted with a third language, hopefully one of the official languages of the country I am traveling to. At the end of my year as an Au Pair, I hope to be able to say that I supported a great, close and pacient family with the care of their children, that my love and dedication contributed to their growth and education, and that they enjoyed my company. I also hope to have interacted with new cultures, learning from them, and having shared a little of my own. Before saying goodbye, I would also like to tell you that I am an animal lover; I really like cats and dogs, I grew up with pets and I enjoy taking care of them. I like to go to church on Sundays, since I am Catholic, and I always try to find space in my agenda for my spirituality. This year I have been in singing lessons to improve my vocal technique, singing makes me very happy. Thank you so much for taking the time to read me. I hope for your contact soon, I am very excited to meet you and know more about your family. I know that the future holds great shared moments for us. A hug and my best wishes to you. With love, Vanessa Zuñiga