My Au Pair Expereince
Everyone’s Au Pair journey is unique, special and different. Personally my Au Pair experience was one to remember. I had a great family, amazing host parents and 3 of the best kids I could have ever gotten the chance to know. I spent 3 years as an Au Pair in Paris and then transitioned into the workforce and spent a total of 5 years in Paris, France. I’m going to tell you about my experience in hopes that if you are looking to become an Au Pair, you continue your journey! It is such a magical one and I wish everyone could experience this at some point in their lives. You learn so much!
I was 24 years old working in the music industry with my family. Luckily I had the opportunity to travel the world extensively and visit different places so I already had the travel bug. I knew that there was more out there in the world for me to travel to and learn so I decided to move. I didn’t know how to move to another country without a visa so I researched ways I could do so. I found that being an Au Pair would allow me to travel, learn a new language, provide me a visa, and I would have a job and a home. It sounded exciting!
My last day in the USA with my grandmother.
I didn’t know much about becoming an Au Pair, how it works, or what to do. That’s why I’ve created the Ultimate Au Pair Guide for you. But I wanted to be an Au Pair so bad, I never gave up. I created a profile on 2 Au Pair websites: Au Pair World and Au Pair.com. Personally, I preferred Au Pair World and that was where I found my host family.
Oddly enough, when researching where I wanted to go, Paris was not my first choice. In fact, it was 5th or 6th on my list. I really wanted to be an Au Pair in England, but after a few scams, (hahah you can read about scamming here) I realized that It would be difficult to get a visa in another English speaking country. My list then became Spain and France.
When I was searching for families in Paris, I saw a family who had over 200+ applications to be an Au Pair. I liked their profile and kept it saved. I figured they had already so many people applying, how would I possibly be able to apply? But, I still applied, and guess what!? They reached out to me! They said they were coming to Los Angeles for summer vacation and they would like to meet me in Los Angeles!
I couldn’t believe it! I had actually gotten a chance to meet my family before I went to Paris. I met them in June, sent off my documents for my visa, and as you can tell, it all worked out! I went to Paris and had 3 years of heaven. This family had 3 children. I was able to have my own studio apartment with wifi, a shower, and only a 5-minute walk from their house. We ate great food, paid me, took me on vacation with them, and offered me time off in the summer. I had 2 girls ages: 10 and 12. They actually both already spoke English. The youngest was a boy, he was 6. He understood English but didn’t speak it. They taught me French, French culture and helped me become the woman I am today. The kids truly were angels.
Of course there are always ups and downs of being an Au Pair: you’re homesick, tired, you mostly work after school, culture shock can be a little rough, you need to learn the language, etc etc. But I find that if you prepare yourself for these moments and learn to expect and embrace the up and down moments, you’ll have a great experience.
I had such a great time that I stayed for 3 years. I went to language school and I even went to University at a Business School. I made so many Au Pair friends from around the world. I traveled on my own around Europe and with friends. I had many French boyfriends (hehehe) and I grew to work in two french companies.
I love telling people the story about my Au Pair experience. I’m so grateful for it because it has shaped me into the person I am today. I know I can live anywhere in the world (now I live in Spain), and I’ve come to have so much love and respect for other people and different cultures.
What about you? How was your Au Pair experience? Did you have a beautiful adventure as I did? Has my story influenced you to become an Au Pair yourself? Leave me a comment below and tell me what you think!
