Dear Host Family,
LETTER TO HOST FAMILY
Greetings !
I’m Ma. Bernadine, 22 years old from the Philippines. I live in the province of Sorsogon
with my family. I have one brother who is 18 years old. My parents manage our family farms,
including rice fields, a coconut farm, a pili farm, and vegetable gardens. I am a sweet, caring,
independent, and friendly person. I would describe myself as a social butterfly because I enjoy
meeting new people and making connections. I can also adjust easily to a new environment and
learn quickly from new experiences. I always try to stay positive, open-minded, and understanding
toward other people.
During my college years, I supported my studies by selling my crochet creations. I placed them in
coffee shops through consignment, sold them in parks, and sometimes brought them to school to
sell. Even though my parents were able to support me financially, I chose to earn my own money
because I wanted to learn how to manage it responsibly. Through this experience, I became more
confident, improved my communication skills, and learned to truly value hard work. I also joined
different organizations and took part in volunteer activities in our community during college. These
experiences helped me become more responsible, hardworking, and confident when working with
different kinds of people
CHILD EXPERIENCE
I have real experience taking care of my two nephews, who are now 5 and 3 years old. I’ve been
helping take care of them since they were born. I used to change their diapers, put them to sleep,
give them baths, and read them stories. I also help their mother, especially since their father works
in Manila. Whenever their parents go to Manila during vacations, they stay with us at home, and
I am usually the one looking after them most of the time. I cook simple meals for them, feed them,
play with them, and make sure they are safe and okay while they are with me. Honestly, I spend
more time with them than their parents sometimes, so I feel like I’ve become like a second mom
to them because I am the one they are mostly with and depend on.
Aside from taking care of the children, I also do house chores while they are under my care. I
clean the house, cook, and make sure everything is organized while also looking after them at
the same time. It can be busy, but I manage it because I am used to it.
Aside from my two nephews, I also take care of my other cousins and nieces when their parents
are busy with work. I help them with simple things like eating, changing clothes, washing their
hands, and playing with them. I always try my best to take care of them properly and keep them
safe. During my internship, I also stayed at my landlady’s house, and she has two children aged
8 years old and 10 years old. I enjoyed talking and spending time with them because they were
friendly and easy to be with. I liked listening to their stories and having simple conversations with
them.
Through my experience taking care of children of different ages, I realized that each child has
different needs depending on their age and personality. Younger children need more hands-on
care and attention, while older children need more guidance and communication. I also learned
that patience is very important because children can be unpredictable, and you need to
understand them calmly. Most of all, I realized that taking care of children is not just about
responsibility, but also about giving them love, time, and understanding.
Being around children has always been part of my daily life. I really enjoy it because it feels natural
for me. It has taught me patience, responsibility, and how to be more understanding and calm
when taking care of children.

WHY I WANT TO BE AN AU PAIR / JOIN A HOST FAMILY
I want to experience life abroad because I would love to learn new things, grow as a person, and
see how people live in a different country. With this au pair program, I feel like I can spread my
wings while still doing my responsibilities as an au pair.
One of the main reasons I want to become an au pair is because I truly enjoy taking care of
children. Through my experience with my two nephews and other children in my family, I realized
how much I enjoy being around kids—helping them, guiding them, and being part of their daily
lives. It feels natural for me, and it makes me happy to see them safe, comfortable, and learning
new things.I believe I can do well in this program because of my childcare experience here in the
Philippines. I have been taking care of children for many years, and I have learned how to be
patient, responsible, and understanding in different situations. I also want to join a host family to
experience a different culture and become part of a family in another country. I am excited to
share my own culture as well, including our traditions, food, and my hobbies. I would love to
introduce them to Filipino dishes