Embarking on an au pair adventure is like opening a book, with each chapter telling a unique tale. Leah, a seasoned au pair, not only turned the pages but flipped continents, experiencing the adventures of childcare in the USA, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Through ups and downs, including rematches in the USA, Leah shares her valuable insights into the world of Au pairing. Despite facing difficulties, she treasures the program’s offerings. Now, as she says goodbye to her Au Pair role, Leah is ready to focus on her future plans.
Before leaving South Africa, Leah was focused on her work and studies, specializing in Office Administration. While she had initially planned to enroll in a hospitality course, she discovered that it was already full. Exploring her alternatives, her cousin introduced her to the concept of Au Pairing abroad. With little knowledge about the process, she turned to Google, where she found several agencies and eventually chose to work with Cultural Care.
To prepare Leah for her journey as an Au Pair abroad, she attended an orientation meeting with the agency. Feeling well-informed afterward, the experience heightened her excitement for the upcoming adventure. Leah underwent an interview with the agency, where they discussed program fees and outlined the process moving forward.
Despite some initial concerns fueled by a trafficking incident in the news Leah still chose to proceed with the journey ahead. Upon departing South Africa, she learned that an unbranded shuttle bus would pick her up from the airport in New York. The driver would identify himself as working for Cultural Care. Although initially uneasy, she discovered she wasn’t traveling alone. A group of South African Au Pairs was flying with her, instantly putting her at ease. Leah’s family urged her to keep them updated on her travels.
Cultural Care also provided a Local Community Counselor for Leah, a service mandated by agencies in the USA. Leah found this to be a valuable addition to the program, as it offered her someone to talk to about any issues or seek advice. Having a person from the agency she could reach out to also gave her a sense of safety.
In 2019, she joined her first family in the USA. Despite giving her best effort, Leah encountered unforeseen challenges. The family, originally from India, spoke Punjabi as their home language, making communication with Leah difficult as they often spoke Punjabi in her presence. Leah also faced challenges with the host child’s aggressive behavior. Despite discussing it with the host mom, there was no improvement. This was particularly challenging for Leah, as she was raised to never disrespect elders or authority figures. Eventually, the agency decided it would be better for Leah to move to a new family.
Upon arriving at her second family, Leah instantly fell in love with them. They had three kids, and shortly after her arrival, the host family shared the news that they were expecting a fourth child. Despite initial reservations, Leah was willing to accept the added responsibility. Unfortunately, with the onset of Covid-19 and a fourth child on the way, finances became tight. It was a difficult decision, but Leah and the host family mutually agreed that a rematch would be better for both parties.
Leah completed her first year with a 6-month extension with her third host family, an experience she thoroughly enjoyed. To this day, she remains in contact with them. The assistance of her Local Community Counselor (LCC) was invaluable, providing great advice throughout her rematch experiences. While going through a rematch can be challenging, Leah persevered, creating positive memories in the USA.
After concluding her time in the USA, Leah felt was not ready to return home and sought another adventure. She discovered Carla’s Au Pairs online and reached out to them. They offered multiple programs in Europe, and soon Leah found herself flying to the Netherlands.
Reflecting on her time with the Dutch family, Leah fondly recalls a vacation they took together. Spending a week at Sana Resorts in Greece, the resort offered concerts, hiking, restaurants, pools, and various other activities for guests. They spent a week having a lot of fun. Leah considers this getaway with the host family her favorite travel memory as an Au Pair. However, upon returning, she sensed tension with the host family. It turned out they had something they wanted to discuss with Leah. After a good meeting where they talked about everything, Leah realized the importance of communication with a host family. She appreciated that the host family was not rude during the conversation and took Leah’s feelings into consideration.
One aspect Leah truly enjoyed during her time with the family in the Netherlands was their subscription to Hello Fresh. Leah found great pleasure in cooking the provided recipes, not only for the skills she acquired but also because it simplified dinner planning—it was already done for her. Amid juggling responsibilities like taking care of the kids, doing laundry, and cleaning, not having to worry about meal planning was a welcomed relief.
Leah was aware that the language barrier could be a challenge in Europe. Despite attempting to learn some Dutch before her departure, it still took some time to adapt. Between learning Dutch and the kids picking up on some Afrikaans words, everything began to fall into place. Leah found that attending language classes and specifically asking people at the local grocery store to speak Dutch to her for practice greatly helped. This boosted her confidence in speaking the language, and although not fluent, her language skills have developed significantly since arriving in Europe.
Leah shared her thoughts on the different countries where she worked as an au pair:
USA
Positives: Leah appreciated the USA for its predominantly English-speaking environment, making adaptation easier. Her favorite season was Fall, relishing the colors of leaves, Halloween celebrations, Thanksgiving, pumpkin and Christmas tree selections, decorations, and Cyber Monday sales. Planning weekend getaways was convenient, and the USA offered enjoyable Au Pair weekend classes for the compulsory 6 credits. Technical paperwork, such as opening a bank account, obtaining a social security number, and getting a driver’s license, was straightforward upon arrival.
Negatives: The working hours exceeded those in Europe, and there were taxes on earnings. The 6/7-hour time difference with South Africa made staying in touch with family and friends back home challenging.
The Netherlands
Positives: Leah enjoyed exploring museums, canals, festivals, and beautiful cities in the Netherlands. Surprisingly, she found joy in cycling, thanks to designated lanes. Public transport, cleaner and more navigable than in the USA, facilitated city-to-city travel. The time difference made staying connected with family and friends in South Africa easier.
Negatives: The language barrier posed challenges. Expect more housework as part of the job, and there’s extensive paperwork for setting up a bank account and insurance.
Luxembourg
Positives: Compared to the USA, working hours in Luxembourg felt like a breeze at just 25 hours per week. Easy exploration and free public transport were highlights. Its proximity to France and Germany provided numerous opportunities to explore. The country boasts beautiful architecture and buildings.
Negatives: Living costs are relatively high compared to pay. The language barrier persists, and although Leah learned Dutch in the Netherlands, it’s not the main language in Luxembourg. Extensive immigration paperwork is required to au pair in Luxembourg.
Throughout her time as an au pair, Leah learned that maintaining a work-life balance is crucial. She prioritized time for the gym, engaging in activities she enjoyed, and spending time with friends. Learning to go out alone was a skill Leah acquired along the way. By embracing solo experiences, she became an avid coffee drinker, taking the time to explore every café and restaurant she could find.
One standout aspect for Leah was the HBN meetings held throughout the year for au pairs, providing newcomers with the opportunity to meet others in their area. It was at these meetings that Leah made her first friend from Argentina. She found great joy in attending these gatherings and would advise future participants in the Netherlands program to prioritize attending these meetings.
Leah has some valuable tips for future participants:
• During an interview with a host family, if they ask you to compromise on a program rule, consider it a red flag. The rules are in place for a reason.
• When traveling, utilize the Hostelworld app for accommodation options.
• Don’t solely focus on saving money; you might miss out on amazing experiences.
• Be prepared to lose some friends along the way. Personal growth can naturally lead to drifting apart from certain people.
• If you’re living in the Netherlands, Flixbus is a great resource for affordable tickets to other countries.
• Communication is key with your host family.
Despite encountering some challenges throughout her time as an au pair, Leah wholeheartedly recommends the program. It offers the opportunity to learn a lot about oneself and make a meaningful difference. While there may be tough days, they are temporary. Leah had the chance to experience two continents, create lasting memories with friends, travel, and celebrate holidays not known in her home country. As Leah’s time in Luxembourg comes to an end, she is ready to retire her au pair cap. Motivated to start her own business and change her career path, she aims to make a positive impact wherever she goes. Prioritizing travel and enjoyable experiences will remain at the top of her list. Just because her time as an au pair is concluding doesn’t mean that exploring the world and embracing new experiences have to come to an end.
