An Au Pair's Experience in Her Own Words

It’s like everything changed – I had a life that consisted of learning, learning, and learning, playing sports, music and not to forget - learning. Then after graduation, it just felt like life was over. Nothing made sense anymore until I finally had the opportunity to leave and gain a new responsibility again. That’s when my life as an au pair started and I found my new sense of curiosity and spirit of enterprise.

You just burst into a new life – actually the life of a foreign family. You get to know them and then it seems as if you’ve actually become a part of their family. You learn how to get along with the kids; you also learn to communicate and to manage things. You get to know their characters, you see how different everybody is and how to behave in order to get along as well as possible, and you always try to be your best.  When you get that part down, it’s just great to meet all the other people out there. As an au pair, you do things you’ve always wanted to do and you do things that you’ve never dreamed of because they inspire you.  When you visit another city the first thing you want to know about is the other au pairs living nearby so that they can show you around. And of course they come over to your city and you show them around as if you’ve lived there forever. Then finally, after a weekend full of exploration, you come back to the family who was first foreign, but now isn’t anymore. You are actually home!

The great thing is that since I arrived here, it feels like I’ve gained another view of the world. I visit place after place, sometimes the smallest things seem fascinating to me and I have to go there to see it on my own.  I probably know Boston better than I used to know Stuttgart. I am still getting to know people who I know will mostly be friends for a lifetime, people who share the same way of thinking about friendship and traveling.  I’m often wondering and hoping that I will never lose that feeling again, just that curiosity of wanting to know the new.

If you would like additional information, please contact Dona Zappulla Area Director for AuPairCare 203-885-3779.