MARY, 21 YEARS

Dear Host Family, Hello, my name is Mary, but you can call me Chiqui. I was born in Merida, a city in Venezuela with majestic snow-capped mountains, surrounded by huge patches of colorful villages and friendly locals who will give you a smile wherever you go. I grew up there with my parents, Marisol and Angel, and my siblings, Javier, Miguel and Angela. We are a very close, cheerful and communicative family. In addition, I appreciate my time very much. Those around me know that I am a very organized and active person in my daily routine, a habit that has led me to excel in the activities I do. But I also enjoy spending time with my family. Laughing with our jokes, telling our stories while sharing in the kitchen, enjoying Christmas dinner, making special dates magical, are the best moments for me. As for my experience with children, I have provided homework for a group of two boys ages 5 and 8 and a 9-year-old girl, neighbors in my community. For two years, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I worked with the younger one, and on Tuesdays and Fridays with the two older ones. My job was to have lunch with them and guide them in doing their homework. And at the end of the afternoon, we used to read a book of their choice, which was a favorite activity for all four of us, because I love to read and so do they. I value and enjoy outdoor and extracurricular activities, I consider them of great importance because they help to develop social skills and learn to work as a team. In fact, I was part of the High School Volleyball team where I participated in state level championships and led a lab group that taught biology practices in underprivileged communities in the city. There I discovered how rewarding it is to teach the little ones. I also love mathematics and I am very collaborative. In my senior year, it was a pleasure for me to be part of a group of outstanding students who were guiding sixth grade freshmen with the math topics they found most difficult. Therefore, you can count on me to help kids with their homework. I am very creative, I love the arts, writing and painting. It is very difficult for children to get bored with me. I currently take care of a smart two-year-old girl, my niece. It has been an amazing learning experience, as I have even taught her to count some numbers in English and to distinguish the name of some animals in English as well. I believed it's wonderful to see them growing up with us and learning, litlle by little, to be more independent. On the other hand, being part of this cultural exchange came about during my classes at the American Center of Merida, where through didactic activities and American literature I was able to learn a little about American customs, thus increasing my interest in achieving fluency in English within a great experience of cultural exchange in a familiar environment. In addition, upon completion of the program I want to study Economics, one of my major career aspirations that aligns perfectly with my skills and my projects. I am very excited to have the opportunity to get to know what makes you and to be a member of your family that you can always count on. Thank you for getting to know a little more about me. Yours sincerely, Chiqui 😊