8 Reason to become an Au Pair

Hey guys and gals!

I know it's been a while since my last post but I've been so busy running around and preparing for my move to France, (OMG!!!!) that I haven't had time to breathe. Now that I have officially received my visa, I can take a  little chill pill and focus on packing my bags. With only a few days left in the U.S. I've been doing some thinking about starting this new chapter in my life and what prompted me to become an Au Pair. As I said in my last post, there are many options to finding ways to making living abroad affordable. Becoming an Au Pair is one of the best for young people who have limited resources and money, but want to live like a local in any given place. So I'm going to give you all ten great reasons to become an Au Pair.

1. Free Living Accommodations

Need I say more?

For those of you who don't know, an Au Pair is the equivalent of a live-in nanny. As an Au Pair you will have the privilege of living in your employer's house rent free. Living rent free not only saves you lots of money in your new country, but it saves the time and frustration you may have trying to find a flat and possibly roommate(s). Generally your family will provide you your own room and possibly a bathroom for your comfort. Most of the time they only expect you to keep your space tidy on a regular basis which is a more than fair trade off for your living space.

2. Getting Paid to take care of Children

If you have experience taking care of children you know that it can be both rewarding and challenging. If you are ready to take on the responsibility of caring for children full time, you might find that you become just as attached to the children as they become to you. Since you are usually younger than their parents they will look to you as a big sister or brother and love to play with you. If you are in a country where you don't speak the language, talking to the children can be a great way to learn without feeling embarrassed about your speaking. Though you may not be paid a lot for your services, taking care of kids can be a lot more fun and a great alternative to working for minimum wage at your local fast food restaurant.

3. Learn a new Language Quickly

If you decide to settle in a place where you would like to take on the challenge of learning a new language, becoming an Au Pair is a fantastic option. When I studied in France a few years ago I noticed that the people at my French school who learned language the fastest were exposed to it at home. Living with a family gives you a chance to constantly practice and become comfortable with your new language. No matter your skill level in your new language, if you live with a family you will be forced to learn and you will be speaking like a pro before you know it.

4. Living in a New Place

When you become an Au Pair you will most likely live in a place completely different from your home. This can be a little daunting at first but you will eventually learn to love the highs and lows of your new home. Living in a new place will be an adventure as you will have to adapt your needs and wants based on your immediate surroundings. After a while of living in a place that used to be unfamiliar, you may find that you have a new appreciation for your old and new home and you leave a little part of yourself everywhere you go.

5. Making New Friends

As an Au Pair your life is not limited to just children, school, and family, you will also have a few days off to enjoy yourself. This is a great time to go out and make new friends. As your new city/town is unfamiliar to you, there are many opportunities to attend local events such as festivals, art exhibits, and sports events in which you have opportunities to meet people. Many times you can meet other foreigners like yourself and find that you are more alike than different. Making new friends is one of the best parts of being an Au Pair and can make transitioning into a new life slightly easier.

6. Eat Authentic Food

Eating is probably the best part of traveling anywhere as there is so much to try. Living with your family gives you great insight on the food culture of your country and how to prepare specialities or traditional meals. Eating the local food will also help you to become more open to trying new things and expanding your pallet. Going to restaurants also helps you to try more expensive food that you may not get at home with your host family.

7. Getting a Home Away From Home

Becoming an Au Pair helps you to integrate into the life and culture of a place very quickly.  If you have never been away from your family for a long period of time, having a host family in your new country can help to create a support system so that you do not feel so isolated and lonely in your new place and give you the feeling of home.

8.  Personal Growth

The best part of your experience as an Au Pair will be the amount of personal growth that you receive. Whether you spend 6 months or a year in your new home you will find that you have changed tremendously. You may find yourself feeling like you have gained a new perspective on life, that your host family feels no different from your real family, you are more confident or all of these things combined. Having an experience as an Au Pair opens you up to endless possibilities if only you are willing to take the first step.

Travel Is Just Too Expensive!!!

Hey Guys!

So my name is Kamile. I am a crazy 22 year old who just graduated from college and I am completely overwhelmed with trying to figure out what to do with my life. On the inside I feel about 10 years old, and 16 on a mature day, but honestly I can't seem to figure out how to be an adult. About a year ago  I had a seizure/heart attack at the thought of graduating college and not having a job. After a few hours of crying and hyperventilating, I was cool. That is when I sat myself down and said, "Kamile, you sexy thang you have to do something. What is it that you really want to do?" Of course, only one answer popped into my head: Travel. I've been traveling my entire life and I can't seem to get enough.  Now that I'm single, with no real obligations ( besides my pesky school loans), I've decided to find ways to make my dreams a reality.

Now a lot of my friends say, "Kamile, I can't travel, travel is just too expensive!" On the contrary mon amors, it is quite simple if you know what to do and how to do it. So here are a few of my tips for financing your trip abroad:

1. Save your money

Yes, this one is the most basic and boring, but it is the most imperative. Save as much money as you can before you travel ANYWHERE. The best thing about this tip is that it requires you to plan your trip well in advance. If you are just going on vacation for a few days, or planning a complete move across the country, or even across the world, saving your money forces you to make a plan of action. Saving your money will ease a bit of your stress, and it will help you set a budget before your travels.

2. Find a Job

If the first option doesn't work for you and you are thinking about a more permanent move abroad, you can do the next best thing and find a job. Everyone has skills that they can market to get a job. Mind you, the job that you find may not be one that makes a whole lot of money, but it will be a way for you to live and eat. What are you good at? Language? Computers? Can you do any freelance work? Whatever skills you have, I almost guarantee there is a need for English speakers who can perform those tasks.

3. Use a Program or an Agency

Last but certainly not least, there are a huge variety of programs and agencies that help one finance life abroad. Almost any country that you can think of has a need for English speaking teachers. Many of the teach abroad programs pay for plane tickets, provide housing, give you a stipend for other expenses in exchange for your services. Some programs do not even require teaching certifications. If this sounds good to you, you might consider becoming a teacher.  There are other great programs such as Peace Corps, Volunteering, Au Pairing ( my personal favorite), and Study Abroad which give you options to pay for your trip before ever setting foot in your country.

I hope that some of these tips help you guys out if you have the urge to travel like me, but you don't know where to start. I've personally decided to finance my next trip abroad by deciding to become an au pair for the next year or so. I'll be doing a series of blog posts telling you guys about my life as an au pair and my life abroad. I hope that you all will come on this journey with me because I cannot wait to share.

[Links to programs and cheap flights below]




For cheap flights for youth and students, I like:

http://www.statravel.com/?from_US=true

http://www.cheapoair.com/

https://www.google.fr/flights/


For ideas and programs abroad I also like:

http://www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer/

http://www.jetprogramme.org/

http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/

https://www.aupair-world.net/