Reasons Why You Should Become an Au Pair

Are you unsure of what you should do in your life? Are you flipping between career ideas? Do you wish you could take a break and experience something new? If so, becoming an au pair might be the journey you've been looking for. As someone who has gone down this road, I can give many reasons why being an au pair is an enriching experience.

For those who don't know, an au pair is someone aged 18-30 who lives with a host family in exchange for childcare duties like babysitting, tutoring, and household chores. In return, au pair's receive room and board, pocket money, and the opportunity become immersed another country. As today marks my 6th month in Paris, I thought I'd celebrate by writing my first blog post detailing all of the reasons why becoming an au pair was the best decision I made in life.

6 months ago, I didn't know what I wanted to do. Fresh out of university and grappling with the horrible uncertainty of my future (thanks anxiety!), I felt limited by my career options. The idea of diving headfirst into a career I wasn't sure I'd enjoy felt daunting and returning to university for a master's degree didn't quite excite me. What I wanted was to press pause. To stop what I was doing and think about what I wanted in life. However, I had no idea how I would do that.

It wasn't until the beginning of August when I sat in the kitchen with my housemate and we were looking through different, unique things to do that I stumbled across becoming an au pair. After reading about it, becoming one wasn't a decision that needed much thought. It is an opportunity for someone to work and travel without worrying about food, housing, or taxes. Not to mention having access to plenty of new and exciting cultural exchanges and opportunities. Free food? No bills? Travelling? That signed me right up!

It is also a rewarding opportunity for those considering a career in childcare. Being an au pair allows you to gain valuable experience in a supportive environment to help enhance your resume and prepare you for future roles in childcare or education. Whilst childcare isn't something I want a career in, I still enjoy feeling like a big sister to the girl I care for and helping her grow and develop.

Speaking of resumes, it looks pretty amazing on one. Not many people can say they've had the opportunity to work and live in another country and the fact that you've upended your life and moved shows confidence, dedication, and resilience. It shows that you're willing to adapt to change and embrace new situations with open arms. Plus, it's a pretty good conversation topic in interviews.

Beyond the practical benefits, being an au pair has been a journey of personal growth and self-discovery. It allows me to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone, adapting to new situations and learning to live independently. From building resilience to enhancing my quality of life, being an au pair has helped me in numerous psychological and emotional ways. I am also happy to say that it has allowed me to figure out what I want to do in life and I am taking the steps towards my next goal.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an au pair is the opportunity to make friends from around the world. Making new friends who understand what you're going through has been so helpful in my time here. My support network has doubled and I feel like these friends are ones I will have for a lifetime. We've explored so many places together (with more weekend getaways coming up), and have created memories that I'll never forget.

However, this post cannot be an honest one if I didn't describe some of the issues with being an au pair. Yes, I am sure you've read the horror stories of families overworking or underpaying their au pairs and people feeling burnt out and depressed. I'll admit - I experienced some of these difficulties myself, particularly during my initial months with my first host family. So, I want to emphasise the significance of choosing the right host family. Take the time to thoroughly evaluate and communicate with families to ensure alignment in expectations, values, and living arrangements. You'll be able to find my "5 Tips for Finding A Host Family" here.

Being an au pair isn't just a job; it's a period full of growth, discovery, and boundless possibilities. So, if you find yourself yearning for adventure, craving a change of scenery, or just wanting to take a break, have a look at becoming an au pair. Pack your bags, embrace the unknown, and go on a journey of a lifetime. Trust me; you won't regret it!

-- Abby xx