iTEP questions

Question 1

What do you think about cameras to watch the au pair work?

Answer 1

I don’t see a problem because if I were a host mom I’d feel safer and I’d like to see what the routine is like between the new au pair and my children and how she treats them. Besides, it’s a matter of security for the house and everyone who lives in it.

Question 2

How do you think children should have fun?

Answer 2

I think that children should be close of a funny person to play and have fun together. Besides, playing with educational games, cooking together, having picnics, drawing and painting.

Question 3

Who is the most important person in your life? Who is your hero nowadays?

Answer 3

My mom because she’s an example for me of strength and responsibility. She’s very brave, honest, intelligent, trustful and kind. Her name is Claudete and she’s 50.

Question 4

Talk about your best friend in school.

Answer 4

Her name is Katelim, my friend from school to life. She’s the best person that I’ve already knew, she has a big heart, also she’s trustful, very polite, friendly, lovely and always help me with good advices.

Question 5

What is your favorite subject in school?

Answer 5

I love biology because I like nature and animals and how were their evolution.

Question 6

If a friend is visiting you, where you take him?

Answer 6

I’d take him to restaurant for example Tradição and Real Sabor, they’re barbecue restaurants and also to hiking trails at Salto das Andorinhas and Dardanellos waterfalls. Here we have a lot of nature, many plants and kinds of trees and the longest river of Mato Grosso. In my city there are typical parties too like Rodeo and June’s party.

Question 7

How was your first time riding a bicycle?

Answer 7

I remember that my first time riding a bicycle was with my cousin Sabrina on the street of her house. We were 4 years old. I was riding her pink bike and I fall many times but I learned. I like riding a bicycle. After 1 year I got my bike, it was white and pink and my mom gave it to me.

Question 8

What do you like to do the most in your free time?

Answer 8

I like going out with my friends and family, having ice cream, having barbecue, hiking trails, visiting waterfalls, watching movies, series and reading.

Question 9

Talk about a book you read and why you recommend it.

Answer 9

I love reading about fiction and adventure. I’m a fan of Harry Potter saga and my favorite book is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and my favorite character is Hermione because she’s strong, intelligent and she likes to help people.

Question 10

Talk about a thing that was very difficult to you and how do you overcame it.

Answer 10

Something that I have difficult is English but I’m dedicating myself more and studying a lot. I’m gonna to the USA to learn in practice it.

Question 11

Why do you want to become an au pair?

Answer 11

I’ve always had a strong connection with children and I’ve always want to learn English. When I found out the Au Pair exchange program, I saw a great opportunity to improve my English, have new experiences, meet new people, visit places and learn the American culture.

Question 12

Tell about a movie or a book you like and what you learned with that.

Answer 12

I like the movie Me Before You, it’s a romance movie. In this movie I learned a smile and kindness can change a person’s life. Also I learned we should respect people’s decision even if we don’t agree.

Question 13

Which place would you like to visit? Why?

Answer 13

I’d like to visit Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in Arizona because I love nature and adventures. My favorite hobby is hiking and I need to explore the Arizona.

Question 14

How did you learn what is right and wrong when you were a child?

Answer 14

With my mom, for sure. She was a single mom and with very difficult raised me and my two brothers, Marconis and Marcelo. Always teaching us right and wrong, for example, share things: toys and food and always help the others

Question 15

Tell me one thing you did and it was hard to do for the first time and how did you overcome it?

Answer 15

The first time I did rappel was so hard I was really scared, I’m afraid of heights and I was 80 meters high at a waterfall. I overcame facing this fear because I really wanted to do that.

Question 16

Do you really like children or just chose this exchange program for the cost-benefit ratio?

Answer 16

Yes, I do. I really love children, we have a strong connection and I always try to understand the children and what they feel. The au pair program is a big responsibility.

Question 17

In your opinion what are the qualities an au pair needs to have?

Answer 17

Besides to love kids, it’s important to be patient, responsible, trustful, polite, friendly and kind because take care of children is a challenge, it’s not easy.

Question 18

How do you think your family is going to be?

Answer 18

I expect my host family will be polite, honest, friendly, receptive, trustful, kind, funny, responsible and very patient with me about my English, my driving and my adaptation in their culture.

Question 19

What are your expectations for the trip? For the year? What do you hope to obtain as an au pair?

Answer 19

I’m so excited to live this dream and to improve my English. I’m gonna to the USA in 2023.
I hope to obtain many experiences, knowledges, meet new people and visit places.

Question 20

Do you drive in highways?

Answer 20

Yes, I do. I’ve already taken some car trips.

Question 21

Talk about your family. Do you have brothers/sisters? Talk about your relation with them.

Answer 21

I have two brothers, Marconis is my older brother, he’s 31 and my younger brother named Marcelo, he’s 18. Marconis always lived far away since I was a child. We keep in touch by phone and social media.
I took care of my younger brother since he was born, we are very close. I love them.

Question 22

What are your responsibilities at home? Do you have a housemaid?

Answer 22

No, we don’t a housemaid. We share the home chores. I make my bed, tidy my bedroom, wash the dishes and clothes, clean my house and bathroom, take trash out, grocery shopping and feed my pets.

Question 23

How do you think will be your routine?

Answer 23

I hope my routine will be quit. I will wake up the kids, prepare the breakfast, make their lunch boxes, dress them, take them to school and some extra activities, play with them, go to the parks and playgrounds and help them with their homework.

Question 24

Do you think that this experience you are going to have in the US will be different from your life in Brazil? Do you think if will be different to take care of children in the US than here in Brazil?

Answer 24

Yes, I do. I think it will be completely different because the American culture is very different from Brazilian culture. The language, customs, raising children, routine, everything is different.

Question 25

How do you consider your English? And how long have you studied English?

Answer 25

I consider my English is intermediate. I studied since the beginning of 2021.

Question 26

Do you have any first-aid course?

Answer 26

Yes, I do.

Question 27

Have you already worked? Talk about it.

Answer 27

Yes. Besides to working taking care of kids, I have already worked as a coffin operator, saleswoman, waitress, receptionist and customer service.

Question 28

What difficulties do you expect when au pair?

Answer 28

I will have difficulty with English because it’s not my first language. Also I’ll have to get used to the cold and snow because here where I live in Brazil it’s summer all the time.

Question 29

What is your education, what courses did you and your talents?

Answer 29

I took a technical course in agriculture with my high school. I have also taken computer and first aid courses. Besides, I study Agronomy college.

Question 30

What do you like to do with children?

Answer 30

I like taking them to playgrounds, parks and playing with them with educational games. Also I like helping with their homework because I love helping and teaching new things.

Question 31

What would you do if your host kids are fighting over a toy?

Answer 31

I’d try to calm down the kids and I will explain to them that they should share the toys. And if it doesn’t work they will take turns.

Question 32

How and where do you meet your best friend?

Answer 32

It was at my first day of high school, I was nervous about this new phase and she was very kind to me. Her name is Katelim and she’s 24 years old.

Question 33

What would you like to change in your old school?

Answer 33

Nothing, I learned a lot of there and I was very happy and I also made important friends at this school. It name is Instituto Federal do Mato Grosso and I studied there for 3 years, the teachers helped me to be who I am.

Question 34

Would you have problems if you have to change your school?

Answer 34

No, because I’m a flexible person and I like new challenges. Furthermore M, I’m good at making new friends.

Question 35

What do you consider right or wrong?

Answer 35

I consider right good actions like helping children, the elderly and the needy. Once, I saw a little boy selling popsicle on the street, he was barefoot and I gave him one a pair of my slipper. I think it’s wrong when you mistreat, humiliate, disrespect or bullying someone.

Question 36

What do you like to do with your family and friends?

Answer 36

I like going out to eat such as pizzas and having ice cream with my family and friends. Besides I like watching Christmas or comedy movies, for example, the movie Last Christmas or Mean Girls. Also traveling, having barbecues and visiting waterfalls.

Question 37

Talk about your personality and interests.

Answer 37

I’m flexible, responsible, trustful, charismatic, realistic, calm and I learn things fast. I have a leadership profile because I take on responsibility and always help people. My interests are to learn about American culture, English, meet new people and visit places.

Question 38

Talk about a movie you like and why you recommend it.

Answer 38

I like the movie Me Before You, it’s a romance movie. In this movie I learned a simile and kindness can change a person’s life. Also I learned we should respect people’s decision even if we don’t agree.

Question 39

Talk about some fear you have.

Answer 39

I can’t swim, I’m afraid because I drowned when I was a child, I was 5 years old. But I’m gonna take swimming classes to overcome this.

Question 40

How do you expect your host family is? What you expect from being their au pair?

Answer 40

I expect my host family will be polite, honest, friendly, receptive, communicative, trustful, kind, funny, responsible and very patient with my English, my driving and my adaptation.

Question 41

What country would you like to visit and why?

Answer 41

I’d like to visit the United States of America because I’ve always had this dream to know the American culture. And I’d like to visit New York City at Christmas time because I think it’s so beautiful and magical.

Question 42

Tell about something you’ve been afraid to do and why?

Answer 42

I’ve been afraid when I did rappel because I’m afraid of heights. But I overcame that and I enjoyed this adventure.

Question 43

Talk about an interesting family history.

Answer 43

Once my dad adopted a cat thinking it was male and named it Renato. One day my dad saw that Renato was pregnant. Renato was female and now it name is Renata and it had 4 cute kittens.

Question 44

Which city would you like to visit ? Why?

Answer 44

I’d like to visit New York City because I’d like to visit Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan. I wanna visit New York City at Christmas time, it’s so beautiful and magical.

Question 45

What shouldn’t be an au pair responsibility?

Answer 45

I think that all the functions established by the program rules are the responsibilities of the au pair, that is everything associated to the children, like taking care of them, making food, bathing, driving, washing dishes and among other things. Everything besides these are against program rules.

Question 46

In your free time, you will prefer to spend more time with your host family or your new friends?

Answer 46

Depends on the situation, there will be moments that I prefer to be with the host family such as dinners, Christmas and birthdays. And other moments that I will prefer to be with my new friends like going to the cinema, outdoors and traveling. We must have a balance and keep a good relationship with everyone.

Question 47

What did you like to do most at school and why?

Answer 47

I liked to learn new things, be with my friends, play chess, participate in championships and meet new people.

Question 48

Do you think it’s important for children to take extra classes after school? Why?

Answer 48

Yes, I do. Because the more children study, the more they learn; perform better; discover talents and develop more skills such as creativity, interpersonal relationships, responsibility and knowledge.

Question 49

What do you think about children using electronic devices in childhood?
What do you think about the influence of cell phones, tablets and notebooks on children’s daily lives?
How many hours a day do you think a child should be on cell phone or computer?

Answer 49

I think that an hour a day is enough. Kids need to play, run, have fun, study. The screens are harmful in childhood. Lately they waste a lot of time in front of screens and I don’t think that’s right.

Question 50

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Answer 50

My favorite holiday is Christmas because I like Christmas vibes and decoration. I like this holiday because it’s a moment to keep the family close. My dream to live the USA Christmas with snow, Christmas songs, lights and gifts.

Question 51

If a child was not respecting the parents and the au pair, you as an au pair, what would you do?
What would you do if the children did not respect/obey you?

Answer 51

I’d explain to them that this is not right and I’m there to help, take care and be their friend and they should be my friends too. And then I will talk to the parents about what happened.

Question 52

If you had the opportunity, you would rathe? Learn new skills from a chef or learn to cook by yourself?
Some au pair prefer to take cooking classes to learn how to cook, talk about it? Do you prefer to take cooking classes or learn alone?

Answer 52

I prefer to take cooking classes because I like having company to learn, it’s fun. To learn alone, I think it lonely and boring. Besides, I like learn new things.

Question 53

You are in college and need to choose between two options and they are, gastronomy and law, which would you choose?

Answer 53

I’d choose gastronomy because this course would be lighter and fun. I’d learn to make different dishes, sweets and I’d love try them all.

Question 54

Do you think it’s important to practice sports in childhood and at what age?

Answer 54

Yes, I do. The most age to start playing sports is between 5 and 7 years old. Some benefits are: learning to work as a team, dealing with gains and losses and increasing friendships.

Question 55

How to explain what is right and wrong to children?

Answer 55

Firstly, I’d be a good example for them, always have good deeds and good words with them. Besides, I’d explain about right and wrong things and how bad things don’t compensate and are wrong.

Question 56

What would you do if your kids wanted to play with eletronics?

Answer 56

I’d let them play with eletronics just an hour a day. Besides, I’d try to get their attention to another something, for example, a game, activity or take them outdoors.

Question 57

What are the benefits of having a pet?

Answer 57

I do love pets and I have four pets, two dogs Lua and Cristal and two cats Leo and Lily. They’re a joy in my home. The benefits are cheerful; companionable, loving. A home with pets is a happier home.

Question 58

How important is it for children to learn a new culture?

Answer 58

Getting to know new cultures is a way of experiencing new things, getting to know different ways of thinking and acting. This prepares both for professional and personal life, in which you have to deal with different people.

Question 59

Why do you thinking it is important to read to children?

Answer 59

Reading is a practice that has mane benefits and when stimulated from childhood the positive impacts can be much greater. Reading also contributes to improvements in vocabulary, speech and school performance.