I have done a lot of travelling. I’ve been…
Namn: Jenny
Plats i USA: Connecticut
Antal barn: 2
Åldrar: 6 och 9
Har varit i USA i (månader): 2½ månad
What were your reasons for applying as an au pair?
I needed to take a break in my existing life and do something fun and challenging! And since I am used to working with kids I thought AU PAIR!!
Tell us about your host family:
My hostfamily is the most loving, fun and caring family. They have a saying that ”they work hard, but they play hard to” and that fits their description perfectly.
Describe the area you live in:
I live outside a smaller town in Connecticut. It is a great area with a lot of nature, big yards and a huge forest!
What does a typical day look like?
I get the kids breakfast, get them on the school bus and then I am free during the noon/afternoon. Then I pick the kids up from the school bus, do homework and then we are off to different activities like soccer or gymnastics or play dates.
What do/did you study and why did you choose the course?
I am doing my first 3 credits on a weekend course for Au Pairs. Then the other 3 credits I will go to a college and do acting classes or journalist classes or something fun and creative.
Tell us about any traveling you have done or are planning to do:
I have done a lot of travelling. I’ve been on vacation with my host family where we went to Long Beach Island, NJ, Newport, RI and New Bedford, MA. I just got home from my first own vacation where I went to Los Angeles, CA. And every other weekend I am going to New York City. I am planning to explore The US doing different weekend travelling to Florida, Washington DC, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans! I have a bet with myself that I am going to visit at least 25 out of the 50 states 
What have you gained during the year?
Since I am only in the beginning of my year I don’t really know what I have gained. But it is a lot. Meeting new people, learning about so many different cultures, learning more about yourself, maybe it is ”cliché” but you don’t know yourself as good as you think, doing this journey you will really ”find” yourself.
What has been the best experience so far?
All of it. Coming to live with strangers. Meeting new friends. Doing things you’d never picture yourself doing. All the travelling and of course being a part of a great family.
How have you been spending you pocket money?
Saving for travelling. But I have also spend it on clothes and CDs and DVDs. This is a great country to shop in
What do/did you find most challenging about being an au pair?
In this writing moment I can’t think of anything. I have not been homesick which most girls get. Of course I miss all of my family and friends back home. But I have found myself having great friends here and a great family to. If I have to choose anything, the hardest part for me is the not speaking Swedish. I speak English or German here. I am so happy when a friend from home calls or I meet any of the Swedish girls in my nearby.
Write a short message to girls thinking about joining Skandinaviska Institutet / Au Pair in America:
You will have the time of your life. You will learn so much from this and you will come out a stronger person. You will have your ups and downs but in the end you will forget about the downs and only focusing on the ups. You won’t regret this