RONA JANE , 29 ÅR

Dear Host Family,
I am Rona Jane , a 25years old Filipina. My family and close friends used to call me names such as Gang, Monang or simply Rona. I am currently residing here in Oud-Turnhout, Belgium with my current beautiful host family. I graduated Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness at Visayas State University in the Philippines. I am a person who's fun to be with, full of stories, with initiative and loves to be with kids.
My parents are very supportive on every step that I make and of course, with their guidance if I am on the right track. I have a small family, my father, mother and one younger brother. Both my parents are currently working in the UAE. My brother is in the Philippines currently on his apprenticeship in a shipping company. My brother and I grew up with my grandmother since my mother went back in the UAE when I was in 1st year high school. From there, at a young age I have learned how to be tough, responsible and independent for my brother and I. I have learned on how to do the household chores, go and buy in the fish and vegetable market and do some groceries. I am the one who took care of my brother's welfare and tutored him on his academics since my grandmother was old and I don't want her to be stressed out by us when she was still alive. Since our house is situated on my mother's family neighborhood, I grew up close with my cousins. Most of my older cousins has already children on where I have spent time on taking care of their child whenever they go to the city to work or run some errands. I have experienced and learned on how to bath, feed, change nappies, dress up and play with my niece and nephew. I also worked as a part-time baby sitter of a 1-2 years old child starting from my last year in college until before I went in the UAE. I worked before in a nursery school located in Sharjah, UAE for a year. At first, I worked as a sub- Secretary in the nursery but the secretary did not go on with her resignation that's why the management decided to gave me opportunity and transfer me as a nursery teacher since there's an available position. I was handling 1-2years old class consisting of 18 children in a class with an assistant teacher with me. Working with them is a very tough job and with these number of children every day, it gives me more patience, be more responsible and reliable of these children's welfare. I have learned and understand them. Having these capabilities and knowledge, I have decided to take an opportunity to be an au pair. I will not just simply use my capabilities being with children but also I can and will share with you the language, traditions and culture of my home country. Right now, I am an Au pair here in Belgium,living in with a family of 4 (5years old and 1year old boys. I was also an Au pair in Netherlands. I took good care of a 2years old twins and a baby in which I still have good contact and visiting quite often. My first Au Pair experience was the best and I really felt that I really belong to my host family, my host mom would always ask me my opinion on what will the day be like since I am the children's big sister or other things, they also gave me free time to explore more of NL or explore more of other European countries. I usually take my bike and stroll around Amsterdam.
Additionally, I love to eat but I am not an expert cook. I can cook rice, fried food and some Filipino dishes and desserts which I learnt from browsing the recipe in the internet and sometimes experimenting it by myself. Living for a year with my host family in Netherlands, I was able to learn simple dutch food which we usually have during meals. Through this, I am able also to cook basic dutch food once in a while with my current Belgium family. I am also willing to learn more about cooking other dishes.
It is in my dream and bucket list to go and visit any European country because I always wanted to meet various kinds of people, and to learn and experience different languages, customs and their cultures. Taking an opportunity as an au pair is the best way to make it happen.
Respectfully yours,
Rona Jane