A couple of weeks ago I attended my host-family’s au pair
reunion. After having hosted 11 au pairs, most of them from Sweden,
it was time for them to come visit us.
They had organized a huge party with the former au pairs +
all of our husbands and children. It ended up being a party of close to 40
people. I was their last au pair, and that was almost 10 years ago. So for some
of the girls it had been several years, and our lives have of course changed a
lot.
The 3 host-children are obviously no longer children but
young adults, older than most of the women and men that are currently traveling
from the Nordic countries to become an au pair.
It was fantastic to meet them again, and even if we have
kept in touch via Facebook, emails and post cards, it has been a few years
since I visited them. I was nervous to meet them again, but was relieved to
feel that there is still a bond. It made me proud to see how the girls have
become independent, intelligent young women with both integrity and great
social skills. They are just in the beginning of their careers and it warms my
heart to see how successful they are.
After the big reunion my host-family spent a week in Sweden
and spent time with each of the former au pairs, including me. I think it’s
such a wonderful thing that they organized their trip and spent their valuable
family vacation with visiting all the au pairs around Sweden. They had even prepared personal gifts for
each one of us.
I am so thankful for my time in their family, and to have
that connection on the other side of the world. It’s also a pleasure to know
that I get to help others get the same experience by working for Cultural Care
Au Pair. When I say the au pair year changed my life – it’s really true. One
thing leads to another, and I would not be where I am today, with the
experiences I have gained over the years if I hadn’t been lucky enough to have
the privilege to spend a year in their family.
/Victoria
