“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

I love flying. One of my absolute favorite feelings is definitely when the plane takes off and you can feel the tires not touching the ground anymore or the feeling you get when you land and you feel that the tires finally touch the ground. 

In addition to flying, I also love airports. I am actually quite often known as the person who is always late, but when traveling I often make sure to be at the airport long enough to enjoy the atmosphere there - I think quite many of us can agree that it indeed is something very special about it there! The place is full of people leaving, arriving, being sad, being nervous, being excited, being relieved, saying goodbyes, saying hellos, traveling alone, traveling together - so many situations, so many people.

This all probably makes it quite crystal clear that traveling is something that I love, and something that is clearly a big passion of mine. I have been very lucky enough to have had many opportunities to travel, but there are so many places still that have not seen!

To tell the truth, when I was an au pair in the USA, I did not travel as much as I probably was supposed to, or so much I could have. I had one of the best year's of my life, there is no doubt about that. That is why I would like to encourage all of you au pairs, please, do not make the same mistake as I did - make sure that you travel and experience as much as you can. By this I do not mean that you have to keep booking new out-of-state trips every weekend, but also do not be afraid to hop in your car, and experience what you have close by! Living in the USA as an au pair is a unique experience, make sure to take the most of it!

Happy traveling!
-Mari

Nicoline tells us about what she gained from being an au pair!

When I was 18 and had just finished high school, I decided to take a gap year and work as an au pair in the USA. It was a very sudden decision – but a decision that changed my life.

Not only did I have the time of my life, this year taught me so many things and helped me develop as a person. First of all, my year as an au pair helped me to improve my English! Today I study international business at Copenhagen Business School where the level of English is very advanced. Second, my time in the USA gave me so many memories and a great network! I have kept in contact with most of the people I’ve met during my year and we still have reunions. Thanks to my year abroad, I now know a lot of people around the world and every time I travel to a new city I stay at my friends’ places.

Third, My year as an au pair has taught me that you need to grab every opportunity you have in life and then new doors will open. After having travelled to the USA all by myself for such a long time, without knowing anyone, I now feel like there is nothing I can’t do. After I got back from the USa, I moved to a new city where I did not know anyone to begin with. But from my experience in America I knew that it is only a matter of time before a new place feels like home – and I was right. I am very grateful for this amazing opportunity the au pair program has given me, and I am so happy that I grabbed the chance to move to the US as an au pair, because it definitely changed by life!

- Nicoline

Give and take!

We asked some of current and past au pairs what the au pair-program gave for them and what kind of thoughts they have - do you agree? What did the program give you? Please share your own experiences and stories - we love to hear them and of course the others as well!

“Working as an au pair has totally opened up my eyes. When you live back at home and are only surrounded by people from your own country you necessarily do not understand how many different cultures and people there are around you. I have become much more open for new things and I understand so much more of the world. I am also braver and more confident and of course my English skills have improved so much! I would suggest traveling as an au pair for anyone who is ready to take onto new challenges and who have the inner urge to work abroad. Working as an au pair is a great way to get to work abroad. If you are ready to take a step to the unknown, traveling as an au pair is a great opportunity!" -Meri, au pair in Texas

”My time as an au pair has changed me a lot. I have become stronger, more independent and more open as a person. I have learned a lot about life and people. I have also gotten a better view of the person that I want to become. I am so proud of everything I have achieved during my time.

I recommend traveling as an au pair for everyone who is ready to spend time abroad working with children, and also for everyone who wants to take some time to find themselves and figure out their plans for the future. This is a great opportunity to improve your English and learn really to speak it. You get to see so much of the new culture and meet new and great people. I have also gotten a great change to travel and see a lot of USA. The most important qualities of au pair-job is getting along with children, the will to learn to know a new culture and also to accept all the differences between the culture in the USA and with your own.” -Riina, au pair in New Jersey

”I can honestly say that my life totally changed during my time as an au pair. I grew a lot personally and I learned so much about myself and the people around me – also a lot that I would not have learned back home. I am much more confident and I believe in myself and I know what I want from life. And most importantly – I got a new family in the USA and a lot of great friends that I will never forget.” -Jennica, au pair in Minnesota

"My host family and I have a great relationship. They have included me in everything since the day I came here and I'm really thankful for how they made me become a part of their family. I really couln't have found a better family to spend this year with. We are so much alike but we can also learn from our differences. It's hard coming from another country with another culture and then just live with a new family that doesn't work the same as your own in your home country. My host family have made this so much easier than it could have been. They are amazing people and I'm sure that they will stay in my life, as they will in my heart, forever." - Rebecca, au pair in Washington D.C.

 

 

Want to read more experiences from the au pairs from your country? Check our website:

Sweden: http://culturalcare.se/direkt-fran-usa/lar-kanna-vara-au-pairer/

Denmark: http://culturalcare.dk/historier/mod-vores-au-pairs/

Finland: http://culturalcare.fi/tarinoita/tapaa-au-pairejamme/