Au Pair USA – I wanted to see a bit of the world, and since I…
Stat i USA: New Hampshire
Antal barn: 5
Åldrar: 7, 9 twins, 10 and 11
Har varit i USA i (månader): 2½
What were your reasons for applying as an au pair?
I wanted to see a bit of the world, and since I started working on a kindergaarten I noticed that I really loved working with children, this is the perfect combination:)
Tell us about your host family:
They are really great! Open minded, nice, honest and we have a good communication. All things that makes everything esier.
They love to travel, which I also do, and they are a big family just like my family at home. The kids have lots of imagination, they like to have fun, wild sometimes, but it’s never boring. So, this was a good match!
Describe the area you live in:
I live outside everything else, but the same time I only have 1½ hours with bus to Boston, less time with car. It’s a nice area, calm and safe. Before I had never heard about New Hampshire and I had a bit panic that I would be bored. But we always find fun things to do, and me and my friends are going to travel a lot!
What does a typical day look like?
Wake up the kids at 7 a clock. Make sure they eat breakfast, change their clothes, brush their teeeth and get them snack. The drive them to the bus stop and i’m off til 3. Pick them up from the bus stop, do the homework, eat and do something fun! I’m off when the parents gets home around 6-7
What do/did or are you planning to study and why did or will you choose the course?
Im going to take Massbay classes, travel around north America, thats a class which are 3 saturdays and then you can choose to go to a place. Me and my friends are going to Washington DC and Niagra falls in Canada, we are taking the class twice.
Tell us about any traveling you have done or are planning to do:
I have alredy been to New York a weekend and then small trips to Boston. Planning to go to Aruba, Cape Cod, South Carolina and Cayman Island with the family. The the class trips, chicago, Hawaii, going on a East cousttrip, Montreal and all the states of New England.
What have you gained during the year?
I have become more brave, I know I can do whatever I want just if I try. My english is better, not perfect, but I dare to talk now:) I think the brave thing includes it all.
What has been the best experience so far?
Everything, the hard parts really makes you stronger. The beginning in a new family was really scary, but now it feels so much better!
How have you been spending you pocket money?
In the beginning I shopped a lot, clothes and things. But we go out every weekend to a restaurant (friends), go to the movies, saving up for travelling!
What do/did you find most challenging about being an au pair?
All the emotions, home sickness, to really be by yourself and overcome all the obstickles, but as I said before it all makes you so much stronger!
Write a short message to girls thinking about joining Skandinaviska Institutet / Au Pair in America:
I’m not gonna say this is the greatest thing in life for everybody. But if you get a really good match, a family that fits you and you fit them will give you a great year!
But if you get a bad match and get trough the rematch and all the hard things that comes with that you will grew stronger. Anyhow this is a great experience to get to learn yourself!