Namn: Pernilla
Plats i USA: Connecticut
Antal barn: 2
Åldrar: 12, 16
Har varit i USA i (månader): ca 8 månader
What were your reasons for applying as an au pair? I wanted to get away from home and see something else! I wanted improve my english and meet new friends!
Tell us about your host family: My host family is a small family. A singelmum with two teenage kids, a girl 12 years old and a 16 years old boy! My hostmum is from Japan! We live in Greenwich, CT. My hostfamily is wonderful, the best! I feel like a familymember in this family!
Describe the area you live in: As I said, I live in Greenwich a really rich neighborhood! An amazing and beautiful place! Its mostly familys or old people who lives here, so it a calm place! It takes between 35-50 min to NYC by train! And the trains is going 24/7.
What does a typical day look like? I wake up at 6.45, at 7.15 I drive the kids to school and then im off until I pick the girl up at 3.30 pm. Go back home and makes her lunch for the next day. Then I go to pick up the boy. Helps my hostmum with the dinner and then the kids do theirs homework. At 8.30pm Im free to do what ever I feel like!
What do/did you study and why did you choose the course? The first course I took was ‘whats news in America’ I took that course because I wanted to know more about the american politics and the economic crises. USA was in the middle of the election when I took that course so now I know alot about Obama and USA politics! Now im taking Italian and Internationall turism. These courses will help me to get in to college in Sweden when I go back.
Tell us about any traveling you have done or are planning to do: I have been traveling a little bit, to Philadelphia, Niagara falls, Six flags and a little bit around in the closest states. In march I will go to Chicago, Alabama to visit family that I got to knoe when I was in the States. Last but not least, on my 13 th month I will travel on the westcoust for two weeks and then over to Hawaii before I´ll go back to sweden!
What have you gained during the year? OMG its alot… The biggest thing is that I have become a stronger person and I got to know my self really good! And alot of other things!
What has been the best experience so far? Everything!!
How have you been spending you pocket money? Bought clothes, traveling, partying, and saving..
What do/did you find most challenging about being an au pair? Something that everybody should know is that Aupair job isnt easy! But the most challenging thing is maybe to be strong even if you feel homesick or if you have to do a rematch! That you are by your self and dont know anyone, if you want to get friends YOU have to call… and so on..
Write a short message to girls thinking about joining Skandinaviska Institutet / Au Pair in America:
Hejsan alla tjejer OCH killar! Om ni funderar på att åka som aupair ett år kan jag bara säga att ni kommer inte ångra er! Det är inte alltid en dans på rosor men när man väl har tagit sig ur det och löst problemen känner man hur man växer! Alla nya vänner man får. Det är verkligen vänner för livet. Man går ofta och tänker på vad som händer där hemma, men när du väl kommer hem märker du att allt är orecis som vanligt! Vännerna, familjen, staden ser precis likadant ut som den dagen du lämnade för det bästa äventyret du nånsin gjort! Nånting som man inte riktigt förstår innan man åker iväg är hur mycket du kommer växa under årets gång. En kompis till mig hade hittat sanningens ord: ”It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what’s changed, is you.” Så om du har chansen, ta den!! Du kommer inte ångra dig!