Today we’d like to introduce you to Wanalee Gorelick.
Wanalee, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2010, I took a leap of faith and traveled to the United States from Thailand to experience life as an au pair. I lived with a host family in Cypress, Texas for 8 months and had an incredible experience with them. My local childcare consultant (LCC) supported me throughout the entire process, including the challenges I faced. After one year, I returned home to Thailand to work and see my family, and my now-husband came to Thailand and proposed to me.
We moved back to the Houston area and I decided it was my turn to do something to help others coming from a different country who were new to the area/English was not their first language. I knew how hard it was to live somewhere unfamiliar, so I decided to become an LCC with Cultural Care Au Pair. I’ve been an LCC for two years and it was one of the best decisions of my life, within a year later my husband, Adam decided to join the program and help me support our host families and au pairs. It’s not just a job for us – it’s a way of helping people (both au pairs and host families) become more connected and enjoy their time together. I’m thankful to have this opportunity to enrich other people’s lives’ by facilitating positive cultural exchange experiences.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’m always striving to meet or exceed family and au pair expectations of the program, but it can be challenging at times. I always want to make sure my host families and au pairs understand that the most important goal of the au pair program is the cultural exchange, so that is something I’m constantly making sure I hit home.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Cultural Care Au Pair story. Tell us more about the business.
Cultural Care Au Pair is the largest au pair program in the country, with over 25 years of experience empowering successful cultural exchanges with American host families and au pairs from more than 20 different countries. The program has helped to provide meaningful exchange experiences which include a flexible, reliable childcare component to more than 120,000 American families. A U.S. Department of State regulated program, Cultural Care Au Pair is headquartered in Cambridge, MA and has more than 1,000 local childcare consultants across the country.
As a local childcare consultant myself, I provide year-round support to 8 host families and au pairs living outside of Houston. I think what sets us apart is that we are always supportive of our au pairs and families. We have such a strong team and I feel proud when we can help an au pair through a difficult time and get them excited about becoming part of a loving family.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Becoming an au pair!
Contact Info:
- Website: culturalcare.com/wgorelick
- Phone: 8326033430 Wanalee/ 8324653136 Adam
- Email: wanaleeandadam.gorelick@lcc.culturalcare.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturalcareAuPairTexas/
Image Credit:
Adam Gorelick Photography
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