Dear Future Host,

My name is Ashley and I just graduated from the University of Missouri with my bachelors degree in business. I am looking to immerse myself in a new country and culture before returning home to Chicago, IL, to work in marketing. I am adventurous, outgoing, active, and love trying new things. I also love spending time with kids because they bring out my youthful and playful side. I want to be an Au Pair because I had two Au Pairs when I grew up and absolutely adored them. I looked up to them and they were a built in best friend. I loved hearing about their lives at home and showing them my favorite parts of the US. I hope to form a connection with my host family and have a lasting impression just as my own Au Pairs had on my family.

I will work my hardest to be attentive to the children and also to the house. I have been nannying since I was 15 and have always been extremely hands on with the children. I love playing sports with the kids, getting my hands dirty doing a craft, or even playing in the sand. I also am a bit of a neat freak which means I actually enjoy cleaning because I find it soothing. I am not the biggest deep cleaner but I always pick up toys, clothes, or dishes, and I genuinely love to vacuum and fold laundry. I will make sure the house is as tidy as possible when you come home from work or an evening event. That being said, my priority is always the kids unless they are napping or already attended to. If I am watching the kids, I prioritize being with and entertaining them. I will make sure to clean when they are napping, while parents are around, or while the kids are entertaining themselves. Lastly, I am not a big believer in screen time. I have seen how it makes my younger siblings more impatient and bored. Therefor, I will try my best to avoid using devices to entertain the children.

I am qualified to be an Au Pair because I started working as a mother's helper at 14, babysitting at 15, working in my church nursery, nannying full time over the summer, and tutoring students. I have worked for multiple families in my town for over 6 years and they would be happy to serve as references. They would describe me as attentive, engaging, and personable. I also have experience working with kids ages 0-15. Aside from work, I have two twin siblings who are 6 years younger than me, who I practically helped raise.