Karen Tatiana from Colombia
Host Family Questions and Answers
1. How do you think your Au Pair’s experience with your family will impact their life in the years to come? What is their life like, and how did their time with your family impact their journey?
Tati’s journey with us has been nothing short of transformative, shaping both her life and ours in profound ways. From the moment she stepped into our home, we knew that she was special. Arriving in the middle of winter, she embraced the cold and snowy weather—something entirely new for her—with remarkable enthusiasm and a spirit of adventure. We have come such a long way from our first meals together (where we were nervous how she might feel about eating the venison that abounds in our freezer) to now nearly a year of unforgettable experiences including camping trips in our RV to exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Yellowstone and basking in the warm sun along the California coast. Each adventure has provided Tati with opportunities to discover new tastes and cultures, which she has embraced with an openness and enthusiasm that makes our own experiences more enjoyable.
Tati often tells us that coming to the U.S. feels like a dream come true, and these shared experiences have not only enriched her life but also equipped her with invaluable skills, such as confidence and a broader cultural understanding. Notably, when she visited her family last month, she took pride in treating her parents to a vacation getaway, and they in turn remarked on how much she has matured and grown. As she continues her journey, we know that the confidence she has gained here and the relationships she has formed will empower her as she pursues her dreams back in Colombia. Our family has become a part of her story, just as she has become a part of ours.
2. What’s the funniest or most unforgettable cultural or language mix-up you experienced with your Au Pair?
One of the most memorable moments that beautifully illustrates Tati’s charm happened during one of our first family dinners together. After enjoying a meal together, she asked what adjectives existed in English to describe yummy food. We listed up some options, and quickly she replied, “Dinner was exquisite!” We laughed, and told her that often that particular descriptor would be used for five star dining- the very best- and she vigorously shook her head. “No, no! It was exquisite,” she insisted. This became her go-to expression for every homemade dish we shared and soon, it became a beloved phrase in our household. Now, it’s a term we use to describe anything we particularly enjoy, and it has become a symbol of Tati’s joy and appreciation for even the simplest moments.
3. Share the moment your family realized your Au Pair became more than just a child care provider and was truly part of your family.
The moment we realized Tati was more than just our au pair came on her birthday, a bit over one month since she had arrived. We realized that we wanted to make this day extra special for her, particularly as she was far away from home and we knew that this day would be tough without her loved ones nearby. We deeply felt the responsibility to step in as her new family, and spent the night decorating, baking, and setting out the gifts we had enjoyed shopping for. Our family has a tradition of setting up a birthday table spread as a surprise, and we wanted to include her in this tradition too. When she saw the table the next morning, she cried tears of happiness, and she later told us that her own mom had told her she no longer needed to worry about her because she knew her daughter was in loving hands. We also very much felt this sentiment reciprocated because no birthday, anniversary, or other occasion has passed by without Tati writing a thoughtful card and gifting us with carefully selected items she knows we enjoy (especially dark chocolate for mom, and a baseball hat for dad!) Not only that, but Tati has formed a lovely relationship with the family’s grandparents, even sending them heartfelt cards filled with love and well-wishes or passing on little gifts to show she thought of them. These thoughtful gestures revealed the depth of her connection to our family and showcased how much she cares for us all. Tati’s ability to bond with family members of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest, has made her an irreplaceable part of our lives.
4. Describe a challenge your Au Pair tackled and how they overcame it. How did you support them?
As a first-generation American, with many of my own family and loved ones in Germany, I deeply understand the feelings that come with making a new life you love while missing the family and country you’ve left behind. Coming from Colombia, Tati faced the significant challenge of adapting to an entirely new lifestyle in the U.S. Everything was different—from navigating our public transportation system to mastering our kitchen appliances, like the dishwasher, which she initially found perplexing (but now loves!). Despite describing herself as “shy,” she also built up a thriving social circle and now has many more friends than us in the area, which we find hilarious. We have already hosted ‘the crew’ at our house for a big barbeque and look forward to a holiday themed party this winter. The cultural adjustments were numerous, but her enthusiasm never wavered. We supported her through this transition by encouraging her to embrace her curiosity, sharing our experiences, and providing a safe space to ask questions. Watching her flourish from a newcomer into a confident, thriving individual has been a journey we’re grateful to witness.
5. What new things did you learn about your Au Pair’s culture? Share some surprising insights or customs from their home country that you didn’t know before.
Tati has opened our eyes to the warmth and generosity inherent in Colombian culture. In particular, we have loved swapping recipes and comparing meal time traditions. One particularly delicious meal that Tati has made for us (which is now a family favorite) is her mom’s arepas con queso recipe. In fact, despite being limited in what she could pack for a whole year abroad, she allocated precious room in her luggage for a bag of masarepa- a key ingredient for that authentic flavor. We consider ourselves an adventurous, foodie household and we were delighted that she seemed equally enthused with sharing, and tasting, new foods from our various cultures. Tati’s stories of her home life, Colombian festivals and family gatherings have enriched our understanding of her background and brought our family closer together.
6. Reflect on one aspect of your time with your Au Pair that you wish had been different and why?
While every moment with Tati has been a treasure, I wish we would have had more flexibility to travel internationally, and in particular wish that we could have traveled together to Germany. Introducing her to my family’s customs and culinary delights firsthand, many of which she has experienced at least in part in our home, would have been a wonderful way to enrich our bond and share our cultures. The discussions we’ve had about our families’ traditions highlight the joy of cultural exchange and the rich tapestry of experiences we have already explored together. Perhaps one day in the future!
7. Tell us how your family overcame a challenge with help from your Au Pair. What surprised you about how well your Au Pair navigated this?
After a few months spent dealing with two part-time nanny schedules while balancing a return to work after the birth of my firstborn, I was feeling quite stressed about ramping my work schedule back up to full time, while still being able to nurture my relationship with my daughter Marlene. Although I am quite fortunate to be able to work from home, I knew that an ever-present parent (with a constantly changing daily schedule) can be frustrating to work around. Even so, it was important for me to take any opportunity I had during the day to spend time with my daughter without interrupting either her schedule or my workflow. I needed a true partner in the home; one that could think through the complexities of multiple schedules, be incredibly flexible, and adapt to our changing needs.
When Tati joined our home, her unwavering support and remarkable flexibility made all the difference. “Of course, Caro!” she would say in response to any request, or adjustment, or meeting that popped up unexpectedly and required her to step in somewhere we hadn’t planned. I felt immense relief that on top of the stress and mental overwhelm of juggling first-time parenthood with full-time work, I didn’t *also* need to feel guilty or worried that I was asking too much of my au pair. Additionally, dealing with a chronic eye disease requires me to attend long, frequent doctor appointments, and I find great comfort in knowing that Marlene is in good hands, however long an appointment may take. Tati’s ability to connect with Marlene and provide a nurturing environment allowed me to focus on my health and my work, knowing my daughter was well taken care of- and probably having an even better time than she would with mom!
8. How does your Au Pair support you in becoming a more effective parent to your children? Are there specific tasks or responsibilities they take on that allow you to focus more on quality time with your kids?
Tati has been a transformative influence on Marlene’s growth and development. She has expanded Marlene’s vocabulary in both English and Spanish and has even brushed up on her own German language skills to support our family’s efforts in raising a bilingual (or trilingual!) child. Marlene has only been speaking for a few months, but we’re well on our way to making animal sounds in three languages! Through her calm and gentle approach, Tati creates an environment where Marlene feels safe to explore her emotions and express herself- and wow, do we express ourselves! Even though we are sometimes all taken aback at what big feelings such a little body can hold, Tati remains ever patient, ever gentle, and ever supportive of our parenting approach and decisions. I don’t think it’s an accident that Marlene’s first steps were towards Tati, in one of their favorite places together, the local library. Tati and I cried happy tears together that night, both so proud and in awe of that little girl we *both* love so dearly. As friends, companions, and even sisters, they have celebrated countless milestones, from learning how to color and sing to experiencing new adventures like snowshoeing and camping. It’s Tati’s genuine excitement- as much as Marlene’s wonder- that have made these experiences so very, very special for our family.
Au Pair Questions and Answers
1. How do you think your Host Family’s experience with you will impact their life in the years to come? What is their life like, and how did your time with them impact them?
My host family is very close and special. From the first interview, we had a wonderful connection, which has allowed us to have an incredible and sweet experience to this day. I believe that my time with them will leave a lasting mark on their lives because I came to take care of their first baby. Therefore, the experience and learning process were new for all three of us. In addition to creating a team and learning together, my presence helped make my host family’s lives a little easier and more flexible. Even though my host baby is very young, she is learning and understanding Spanish very quickly. This will have a very positive impact on her future as she is developing the skills to communicate in a second language from an early age. I also believe that my relationship with my host family has shown them how loving, joyful, and helpful Colombians are, as well as how wonderful it can be to open their hearts to other cultures and traditions. I always try to show them how happy and grateful I am to be part of such a beautiful family as the Fuller family, and I hope that our moments and experiences will remain in our hearts forever.
2. What are 10 things your Host Family has done that has gone above and beyond your expectations?
1. They surprised me with a birthday party, including a cake and decorations that reminded me of home.
2. They took me on family vacations to Yellowstone, California, and camping to experience new places together.
3. They made sure I felt included during family traditions and holidays, like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
4. They helped me when I was feeling homesick by listening to me and offering emotional support.
5. They gave me small but meaningful gifts (like finding Panela Sugar from Colombia) to show their appreciation for my work.
6. They invited me to join them at special events and adventures, like Oktoberfest in the mountains, or snowshoeing in the mountains for the first time.
7. They taught me about American culture (and even German culture) and asked me to share my Colombian traditions as well.
8.They allowed me to prepare Colombian dishes in their kitchen and bought the ingredients I needed, and enjoyed them with me.
9. They respected my time off and encouraged me to explore the area and make new friends.
10. They always made me feel like a part of their family by showing kindness, gratitude, and love every day.
3. What’s the funniest or most unforgettable cultural or language mix-up you experienced with your Host Family?
One of the funniest and most difficult things to adapt to was the dishwasher. In my country, I always washed dishes by hand and couldn’t get used to using the dishwasher. I thought the dishes wouldn’t come out clean if I used it, so for almost a year, I kept washing everything by hand, even though my Host Family kept encouraging me to use the dishwasher. We joked about this a lot, and I’d laugh about how I was ‘afraid’ the dishes wouldn’t be properly cleaned. Over time, though, I got used to it, and now I realize how practical it is. I definitely think every home in Colombia should have a dishwasher! It makes life so much easier and would probably avoid a lot of family arguments about washing dishes.
4. Share the moment you realized you were truly a part of your Host Family’s family.
The moment I realized I was truly part of my Host Family’s family was on my birthday. I had mentioned it casually, but I didn’t expect much, as I was far from home and it was my first birthday abroad. To my surprise, my Host Family made me feel so special. They decorated the house, prepared a delicious meal, and made me a special chocolate cake. They also gave me a thoughtful gift. The care and effort they put into making my birthday memorable showed me that I wasn’t just an au pair to them; I was part of their family. It even made my family at home feel better about having me so far from home because they knew I was with a caring family. I’ll never forget how warmly they welcomed me into their lives and made me feel truly at home.
5. Describe a challenge you tackled and how you overcame it. How did your Host Family support you?
Moving to a new country as an au pair was both exciting and challenging, especially when adapting to a new culture while dealing with homesickness, which was my biggest challenge to deal with. I missed my family and traditions, but I found comfort in sharing my culture with my Host Family by cooking traditional dishes and teaching them about my customs which made me feel closer to home. Regular video calls with my family and my Host Family’s support, such as helping me celebrate special moments from home, helped me adapt. Now my Host Family asks about my Colombian family, and my Colombian family asks about my Host Family- they especially like to hear updates and see pictures of my host baby. This experience taught me resilience, open mindedness, and the joy of cultural exchange.
6. What new things did you learn about American culture from your Host Family? Share some surprising insights or customs your Host Family shared with you that you didn’t know before.
During my time with my host family, I have learned a great deal about American culture, some of which were surprising to me. One of the most interesting things I discovered was how important Thanksgiving is to families here. I knew it was a big holiday, but the way they come together to celebrate with a huge meal and share what they are thankful for was a beautiful tradition I had never experienced before. I also learned about the significance of small talk in social interactions. In Colombia, conversations can be more direct, but here, people often start with casual questions about your day or well-being before diving into more serious topics. Additionally, my experience here has changed a stereotype I had about Americans. They are sometimes thought to be rude and unfriendly, but in reality, I have found them to be incredibly kind and helpful. Lastly, I also learned how diverse and different the regions in America are. I have now visited Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, New York, and California with my host family or with friends. Each of these places was so unique, from the geography, to the food, to the cities, to the history, and to the people. It was so fascinating to see that although these places all exist in the same country, they are so different. All of these customs and insights have enriched my experience, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about them.
7. Reflect on one aspect of your time with your Host Family that you wish had been different and why?
One aspect of my time with my host family that I wish had been different is the initial adjustment period. At the beginning, it was challenging for both me and my host family to establish a routine that worked perfectly for everyone, especially since I was taking care of a baby for the first time and the host family was also adjusting to their first baby. I think that clearer communication and a bit more time to adapt to each other’s needs would have made this transition smoother. However, this experience has taught me the importance of flexibility and patience, and in the end, we were able to find a good balance. I am grateful for the learning process and how we grew stronger as a family during that time.
8. Make believe you won a million dollars! How would you choose to spend it?
If I won a million dollars, I would set aside a portion for my family in Colombia to ensure they are financially comfortable and have what they need. I would also invest in a home for myself, where I could build a peaceful life, whether in Colombia or elsewhere. Also, I love helping animals. If I had that money, I would build a foundation to give a better life to all the stray dogs and cats in Colombia, like the two cats I have at home in Colombia. Additionally, I would take the opportunity to travel and explore different cultures, as I believe experiencing the world is one of the most enriching things we can do.
9. Tell us how you overcame a challenge with the help of your Host Family. What surprised you about how you resolved the challenge?
One challenge I faced was adjusting to the different daily routines, especially managing the baby’s nap and meal times. I felt overwhelmed at first, but my Host Family was very supportive. They helped me create a clear schedule, guiding me through the baby’s needs and reassuring me that it was okay to ask for help and make mistakes. What surprised me most was how patient and understanding they were, which made me feel more confident and allowed me to adapt quickly to the new routine. It also helped me realize that it’s OK to need time to learn and adapt, and to ask for what I need because often, people are very open to hearing that.
10. How have you supported the growth of your Host Kids? For example, have you helped them learn a new skill or helped them overcome something?
I have been taking care of my host baby since she was 5 months old, so one of the most important factors for me in this process has been to accompany her at every stage of her growth and development of skills. In our home we have a mix of 3 different cultures and languages (English, German and Spanish). I, together with my host parents, have been stimulating and teaching the baby about these three languages every day and it is incredible to see how such a small baby has the ability to learn, understand and respond to 3 different languages. However, I am focused on continuing to teach her Spanish, because it is a learning that will enrich her life and her future. Also, the baby was a little bit late to walking – although she was early to talk- and I helped her practice every day, holding her hand until she felt confident to take her first steps on her own in the library with me one day!
11. How does your Host Family support you during your time as an Au Pair? How have you supported your Host Family that has changed their lives?
My host family has been incredibly supportive during my time here. Emotionally, they have always been there for me, offering comforting words whenever I felt homesick, which has made me feel like part of their family. They’ve also provided support by helping me with any questions I had about my work, respecting my time off, and giving me the opportunity to explore and rest. Furthermore, they’ve made my cultural adjustment easier by explaining American traditions and customs, while also showing interest in learning about my Colombian culture and even showing me parts of their German traditions with family. In return, I have supported them by helping with daily tasks like laundry or dishes, which has alleviated some of the pressure in their busy lives because both parents work full time. I’ve also contributed to their baby’s development by teaching her Spanish through fun and educational activities, giving her an early start in learning a second language, and also taking her outside of the house every day which is very important for her socialization and growth. My presence has also allowed my host family to have more time for themselves without the stress of managing everything alone, which has meant my host parents could have some quality time together which is also very important. They had told me that they felt stressed leaving the baby, especially in the evenings, with someone that didn’t know her routine well and they can feel confident leaving the house knowing that I am there. My host mom especially feels more at ease with someone who knows the baby so well, and she has told me it even helps her imagine a future with more children. I believe my time here has not only benefited them but has also brought us all closer together, creating new family bonds.
