Since her first interview with the Cassidy family, Dani felt a connection. She’d had other interviews prior, but it didn’t feel the same. “When I was talking with them, I really felt that they were interested in me and my experience as an au pair. I felt they wanted me to enjoy my au pair experience and I really appreciated that,” Dani recalls. Dani also felt the Cassidys were patient with her English during their chats. She felt comfortable talking to them in her non-native language, despite the challenges of using words and grammar she wasn’t used to using on a daily basis.
As Dani prepared for her departure from Mexico City to Pennsylvania, the Cassidys sent Dani information about their local city, Philadelphia. Dani’s brother, an avid Rocky fan, let her know she was going to be entering Rocky territory living in Philly. During her first weekend, the Cassidys took Dani to the famous Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Host dad Brian and au pair Dani ran up the steps humming the Rocky theme song. It was a fun memory and a great way to kick off Dani’s au pair year with the Cassidys.
Dani has loved taking care of now nine-month-old baby boy Hart. Since day one, Hart has shown her how much he’s taken to Dani through his smile. Dani says, “He is warm, just like his parents.” Taking care of a young baby can present its challenges, but Dani has loved watching him grow and change as the months go by. With host mom Kate working from home, Dani and Kate will often talk about Hart’s development and care. It’s usually the topic of conversation during their daily lunch dates at home during Hart’s nap time.
“She is a good listener. She gives good advice. I really appreciate that we talk. She asks me how I feel,” Dani says about her host mom.
Cultural exchange has been a huge part of Dani’s and the Cassidy’s au pair program experience. Sharing a love for music and literature, Dani and host dad Brian have exchanged ideas about music genres and books. Brian has introduced Dani to new and different kinds of American music and Dani has shared cumbia and salsa music with Brian, typical sounds of Mexico City, where Dani is from. The social and extroverted Cassidys always include Dani in their plans as well, so she never feels left out. This past November, Dani got to experience Thanksgiving for the first time. She appreciated that Americans celebrate a holiday solely dedicated to giving thanks.
The thoughtful Cassidys continue to treat Dani with gratitude and generosity. During their interviews, Dani had shared with them how much she’d always wanted to visit New York. Kate and Brian bought her a ticket, asked some friends if she could stay with them in Brooklyn, and organized a trip for her to visit this long-awaited destination. They also gifted her a flight home to Mexico City for Christmas so she could enjoy the holiday with her natural family.
Both Kate and Brian have been to Mexico City multiple times before, and Dani hopes that they’ll return in the future to visit her. “I’m excited to think they will visit me in the future and I can share with them my city.”
Congratulations, Dani, on being a 2024 Super Au Pair Finalist!
