Anyone been an au pair?

[Aino]

Hello!
I'll finish my high shool next spring and I thought I'd spend a year off soemhow. Going somewhere out of country to be an au pair is an option, but I'd like to hear some experiences and advice first to make sure that I'm making the right desision. That's why I'm making this post. So, those of you who've done this. How was it like? Where did you go and how did you find your family? What kind of things did you have to do? What else do you think was important about your time? Thanks for sharing.
- Aino

 

[Wedjat]

I'm currently living on a one year exchange in New Zealand before heading off to college. Probably one of the best decisions of my life. It's hard being away from the people I love, it's hard making new friends and knowing that you're going to leave, it's hard adjusting to new customs and mannerisms, but it's also an experience that I'll never forget. I remember the day that I decided to go on exchange I thought, if I don't do this, I'll be kicking myself for the rest of my life.
It's really a fantastically eye opening experience and if you can do it, I would definitely recommend it.
I've had four different host families because of various difficulties and the first few months were boring as anything because I didn't know anybody, but no matter how down I feel, all I have to do is remember how awesome life was back home, and then think "now wasn't one of the reasons I left because I thought home was boring?" Then I realize that right now I'm building memories, and when I get back home, every drop of boredom and home sickness will be washed away, leaving only a pristine collection of experiences to last a lifetime.

 

[Aino]

Well thatnks for your pretty words Wedjat... I'm still sort of lost with the practical side of it. How did you go there? What do you think is the best option?

 

[Wedjat]

I came over with a program called AFS. I know there are other organizations that do it including rotary, and many schools.
With AFS you can also go to other countries as a volunteer if you've already graduated, they set up everything for you.
EF intercultural foundation is another organization that does stuff like this.
You could also opt just to apply for a year of university in another country. You can usually transfer credits when you want to go back home.

 

[alfrodull]

You're unlikely to find someone who's worked in childcare on this subforum, to be honest. The majority of people here are college-age and from the US, and here that kind of thing is usually done by more mature individuals. Most people who go abroad do it in a situation where they just attend classes and don't have to worry about working.

You might want to try the women's forum as well.

 

[CrystalBrooke]

I don't have personal experience, but I just recently met a guy that my boyfriend went to school with, and his girlfriend who had been living in Spain for 6 months and they were au pairs. I'm not sure how they met the family and all that jazz, but they did love their job. The parents had hired them because they were from America..they wanted their children to learn English. From what they told us, it sounds like an amazing experience.

 

[EverMoreMyHeart]

I am a nanny myself. I have known a few nannies who moved overseas to become Au pairs. Sounds like an amazing experience!

 

[Aino]

Uhh, ok. It looks like you take the whole au pair thing a little more seriously in the US. Like, many Europeans do it just like I planned, for fun and a good experience overseas for example after high school if they want to have a year of before going to college... But I guess this is not really going to be such a great forum to ask about others' experiences then.

 

[markydarky]

Hello!
I'll finish my high shool next spring and I thought I'd spend a year off soemhow. Going somewhere out of country to be an au pair is an option, but I'd like to hear some experiences and advice first to make sure that I'm making the right desision. That's why I'm making this post. So, those of you who've done this. How was it like? Where did you go and how did you find your family? What kind of things did you have to do? What else do you think was important about your time? Thanks for sharing.
- Aino

Have you seen the website Christianaupairs.com ?

 

[Aino]

markydarky - thanks for the link, I hadn't heard about it before. I think I'll go check it out.