Chicago/North Shore Area
Evanston, Schaumburg and Des Plaines, IL

Au Pair USA has a very active cluster of au pairs and host families in the communities around Chicago Illinois, including many areas of Cook, Du Page, DeKalb, Lake, Kendall, LaPorte, Kane, Will, Porter and McHenry Counties in Illinois, and Munster and Dyer Counties in Northwest Indiana. Each month, Au Pair USA Local Coordinators work with host families, helping them with the matching process and answering their questions about the program. They also arrange monthly meetings and social events for au pairs to help them build friendships and adjust to life in the United States.

Your Au Pair USA Local Coordinator:

Alex Bernardi

 

Alex's community of Au Pairs and Host Families is located in the surrounding Northern and Western suburbs of Chicago, IL, including areas of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties. Communities include Evanston, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Lake Forest, Glenview, North Chicago, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Waukegan, Wilmette, Libertyville, and many other communities.

About Alex:

Hello, my name is Alex, and as your Au Pair USA local coordinator for the Chicago Northwestern suburbs, I'm looking forward to getting to know all my host families and au pairs. I started working with Interexchange because I love promoting cultural exchange, and I'm eager to help other families discover the benefits of having a multi-cultural household!

I was born in Munich, Germany to parents with a Swiss American background and into a family of 3 girls. I was raised in Germany, England and Switzerland. My father has been in the automotive industry all his life and thus as a family, we have lived abroad many years.

I completed the majority of my schooling in the German speaking part of Switzerland; however I did spend some time in the French speaking part. During the summers I would travel extensively in southern Europe. Also, I love to ski and embrace the cold winters of Chicagoland.

In 1993 I left Europe and moved to Michigan where I attended the University of Michigan and I earned a Bachelors Degree in the Arts (Drama). Upon graduating I worked for several years in the marketing & interactive advertising industry. Eventually this business brought me from California to Chicago where I met my husband Andrew, and we were married in 2002.

I love the city of Chicago and its surroundings with everything it has to offer. When our daughter, Mia, was 1 year old we left the city for the northwest suburbs and found a house with yard big enough for our very active Jack Russell puppy, Ella. In 2006 our son Marino was born. This past spring we adopted a kitten named Kenny, who is very affectionate.

My husband and I love to travel. We took the whole family to Europe this past summer to visit family and friends. I try to speak Swiss German to my children and pass on some of the tradition that I grew up with in Switzerland.

Every month I plan an activity and meeting for my au pairs to enjoy their time in the U.S.. We also have host family days where the families can meet and get to know eachother. Please let me know if you have any questions about the program. I look forward to meeting you!

Best wishes,
Alex

Read more about Alex's recent au pair monthly meetings/events

 

 

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