One of the pros of being an au pair - world-wide network!

I absolutely love working for Cultural Care Au Pair. I love that I have the opportunity to help other people to experience the same as I did. Even though it has already been 8 years (gosh I AM OLD!) since I applied to become an au pair in the USA, every time I speak about my experience to a current or a future au pairs I get so excited and happy!

I am originally from Finland, and as most of you know - Finland as a country is not that big. Other Finnish au pairs - they were quite non-existent when I was an au pair myself.. or that is at least how it felt! I was the only Finnish au pair in the entire state of Utah at the time, which of course enabled me really to establish a world-wide network from my other au pair friends! My neighbor was German, my best friend Swedish, my classmate Peruvian, my travel-buddies Brazilian and Colombian, my new friends American... the best part about my au pair experience was definitely widening my network and having connections all over the world!

I am still in touch with some of my connections, and this is one tip I want to give to all of you current au pairs: do not let go of these connections! Embrace the international network you have and take full use of it! There is always someone who knows one... and at least you have a place to stay wherever you go in the world! Luckily in today's day and age it is so easy to stay in touch!

Best,
Mari

Making friends as an au pair

One of the things I was most worried about before going as an au pair was that I would be without friends. I was heading for my big adventure leaving all my friends behind.  How should I make new friends? Where should I find new friends? What if I was the only au pair in my area? What if nobody liked me? Should I be all alone? Would this make me go back home?

What a waste of time worrying! I realized already at the airport that I that I was not the only one having these concerns. Being in the same situation made it possible for everyone to share a special bound with each other. I met people during had not thought that I would be close to. One of my friends in the US was my host child best friend's grandmother and she was around 65 years old. I looked forward to every Thursday when her grandchild and my host child had their weekly play date. It was a wise lady who taught me lot about life and I could talk with her about my difficulties regarding homesickness and “living at you work”. Even if she was not in my age and not in the same situation in life I really appreciated her for who she was and her qualities.  I made friends for life and I still miss her and our meaningful discussion.