And The Winner Is: Anika Michau

For the SECOND time in two years, we are beyond proud to announce that a CAP Au Pair is the EurAuPair Au Pair of the Year 2022!

 

Last year Elisa Bernardo won this incredible title.

 

EurAuPair is our partner agency in The United States of America.

 

 

Each year they are giving their host families the chance to nominate their Au Pair.

 

 

Read more about Anika’s Au Pair experience below:

 

Our hearts are so happy when our Au Pairs are happy, adjusting and travelling!

 

 

“I first want to start by saying thank you for this opportunity.

 

I also want to thank my family back home for all their support and love during the year and for encouraging me to spread my wings and fly.

 

I also want to thank my Local Coordinator, Mary Robinson and Carla’s Au Pairs for their support during this year. I can’t thank everyone enough.  If it wasn’t for everyone I just mentioned, I wouldn’t have been here and nominated. It is a great privilege to be nominated as one of the four Au Pair finalists.

 

When I received the phone call from EurAuPair, saying that I was nominated by my host family, I started to cry.

 

I did not know that they nominated me and to hear all the wonderful things they said about me was heart-warming I was so grateful because everything I hoped for my year as an Au Pair for the Simcoe family came true.

 

After the phone call, I’ve come to know that I’m the first Au Pair they have nominated, which made it even more special.

 

I’m a just farm girl who always had a dream of being an Au Pair, more than that, I wanted to be an older sister, a godly example and to share the love and kindness that I know.

 

 

My family and I prayed a lot about me wanting to go on this amazing journey and praying to find the right family. God answered our prayers.

 

The first family that contacted me was the Simcoe’s and I immediately knew that they were the right family. I was fortunate enough to come to the United States during the travel ban, which made everything even scarier, yet exciting.

 

Nothing can prepare you for what is waiting when you get off the airplane to meet your new family for a year. The moment I saw the kids, my heart was jumping out of my chest of excitement. I knew that these three kids were going to be a big part of my life.

 

Never did I expect them to fill such a big space in my heart and life.

 

I have come to love each child in their own way.

 

They’re all three so different. Ella, the oldest is 8-years old.

 

She is incredibly smart and is amazing at sports. I always try to teach her about sports, but she has taught me so much more about American sports than I ever thought I would know.

 

We have the best “dates”, always wanting to go to the pet shop and play with the puppies, get ice cream and oh, maybe just pull a tooth while we’re having fun. Might I add, she did not even cry. She is one of the bravest girls ever.

 

Sometimes we will talk in different accents and pretend that we’re British or from the South.

 

Reese, the middle child, who is 5-years old, is the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet.

 

She is kind and goofy. I just love her hugs; she is the most loving girl.

 

She will always try and make everyone laugh and trust me, her laugh is contagious, you can’t help but laugh with her. She loves learning Afrikaans!

 

She even tells people that it’s her second language.

 

 

Then there is Rhett, the cutest little guy ever, who is 2- years old.

 

He brings so much joy to my life and has an extra special place in my heart.

 

His excitement makes me excited. He loves climbing, running and being outside. And boy, does he keep me on my toes. The love I have for them is unconditional and I will never be able to describe it, but I can show it to them.

 

The kids and I love to do crafts, go for walks and play outside. We go on “dates” too. I love taking them to Presque Isle, the zoo, Chuck E. Cheese or just to stay at home baking and having some fun in the kitchen. Every moment spent with the kids has been so special and each memory will stay with me forever.

 

 

My host parents are both in Medicine and they are very hardworking. This is why I help and do whatever I can to make their lives easier.

 

My host mom, Kaleigh, is always very supportive and I know I can always go to her for advice or just to have a great conversation like friends would.

 

The family always includes me in everything they do. They take me on vacations, weekends away or just to spend some quality time together as a family.

 

I am very grateful that I got blessed with the best host family ever. They are more like my own family than a host family.

 

I extended my stay for another year with this amazing family.

 

I would encourage any young woman to become an Au Pair. The long-lasting relationship you build with the family and every experience with them is incredible.

 

I have grown so much as a young woman and I am grateful that the Simcoe’s have been a part of that. This year has exceeded my expectations in every way. I wanted to be a big sister and I was blessed with a second family. I wanted to be an example and yet they taught me so much.

 

Don’t get me wrong, some days are tough, but when you get that hug before bedtime or an “I love you Anika” at the end of the day, it’s all worth it. If I had to choose again, I would make the same decision over and over again.

 

Even if I don’t win Au Pair of the year, I already won in every way possible. I have been blessed with the best host family and memories.

 

I’m excited to be their Au Pair for another year and make more memories and an even stronger, lasting relationship.

 

Anika, we are so very proud to call you a CAP sister!