This is probably the question I get asked the most about! In 2019 from July until September I was an au-pair in Italy for a beautiful family with two boys aged one and four years old. I used the aupairworld website but there are a few different platforms out there!
So I think its about time that I write about my top tips of being an au-pair and how you can best prepare for it! Please note these are all things I wish I could have told myself before I started Au-paring.
1. Location
Make sure that the location you choose is in close proximity to other nearby places you want to visit in that country. You might otherwise find it difficult to travel properly in your approximately two days off a week! I also recommend thinking about more than just the location but what you would like to gain from it. Is it historical knowledge? Is it mindfulness? Is it nightlife and socialising? Is it landscapes and peacefulness? All of these factors will help you to decide on the best location for YOU.
2. Questions Questions Questions
Get to know your family and ask all the awkward questions in advance to avoid having to do that when you are there because it is a lot more difficult. Some examples include“Is there a particular pay day?” “What hours do I work and is it the same everyday?” “What would you like to get out of it from me” "What if I need days off?" I cannot stress this enough as I found it really tricky to ask awkward questions once I had built up a relationship with the family.
3. Connecting and Socialising
Go on Facebook and type in "au pairs in *location you’re going to*" and see where everybody is. All the au pairs will post on here to see who’s free to meet up as au pairs and you’ll get an idea of where everybody is and best places to visit. Also you could start chatting to the au pairs in advance to your arrival and arrange plans so that you can make the most of your time off!
4. Gifts
Make sure when you go you bring something from your country as a gift either for your first day or the last day (maybe both) of being with the family! I really did not realise how much they appreciate something from your country and how much it means to them! I bought the boy I looked after a stationary set and bike bell with UK flags on as well as an apron for the baby with mini London guard men on it. I bought my gifts from Etsy.
5. Cash and Entertainment
Bring some cash in the currency of the country you’re going to because you won’t get paid until payday which may not be for another month, if it’s monthly pay, and so you still need to finance yourself! Bring things that will entertain you on your days off as sometimes you will find yourself not wanting to leave the house and just wanting to rest. For example, you finish work at 7pm and all you want to do is read a book, colour/paint or listen to music. Please remember it is completely normal to feel tired after a day of work and you definitely deserve to relax!
6. Languages
Definitely try your best to pick up some of the basic language of the country your visiting as it is SUCH a great opportunity to learn! I was in Italy, and if you don't already know, they do not speak much English, so personally it really encouraged me to speak more Italian. On top of this, the boys I was looking after could speak NO ENGLISH at all! So I had to learn basic words to look after their welfare as well as rely on my non-verbal communication! I learnt basic Italian in 2 months and when I first got there I did not even know how to say 'Hello'. An app I highly recommend downloading before you go is "Duolingo". This way you can make sure you know the basic words in advance to make your experience a lot smoother. The key areas I recommend you learn in advance are in relation to the child's health, food, drinking, playing, colours, numbers and greetings.
7. Skype
Skype with family before you go and ask as many questions as possible and go with your gut and how you feel as you will know which family to go for! Speak with all family members and the children to get an idea of how well the child communicates with you. This will help you to prepare well for your visit. I also recommend you ask questions about the food they eat. This is really important because you will be eating with the family most of the time and they will normally be making the food for you. Also find out if there are any particular events coming up which they will want you to be apart of e.g. birthday party, mini vacation, hiking/sports events etc. as again you might want to prepare for these in advance.
8. Have fun!
Sounds obvious but overall it was a very unique and interesting experience for me and one I won’t forget. It was tough sometimes and some days I didn’t want to do it at all whereas other days I loved it! Sometimes you feel lonely, sometimes you feel bored but you gain so much more than you loose! So make the most of every second, visit as many places as you can and try to dive into their culture and tradition as much as you can!
Comments