Cultural Care Au Pair

Since 1989, Cultural Care Au Pair has helped more than 100,000 young men and women travel to the USA to study and work as au pairs with American families. These are some of their stories.

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“Being an au pair for 22 months in the USA was one of the best decisions in my life so far! I have grown so much as a person, which I wouldn't have been able to do without this experience. I didn't only gain childcare experience, I also gained life experience! I am forever grateful for my two host families in Indiana and Georgia.

The best thing about being an au pair is living with a host family and becoming a part of their family and also how you gain friends from all over the world. My list of countries I want to visit was long before, but now it is even longer because I now have friends in countries I never even thought about visiting before.”

Louise, an au pair from Denmark who lived in both Indiana and Georgia, with her au pair friends Tabea and Tim

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“My experience was A-MA-ZING! My family was PER-FECT! My favorite part was spending time with my family.  I'm an only child so to see and live how the family works and how much they fight and love each other at the same time was great!

I had adventures in Salem, Maine, Kentucky, NYC, Boston, Miami and of course Florida, visiting the Universal Studios and Disney-world parks for 2 years in a row.

Without doubt this was the best experience that I had in my whole life. I've grow up so much and I've made so many friends and the family became my family for life!”

Laura, an au pair from Argentina

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“This year, I had the best Valentine's day of my life! This is so much more important in the US than in France. My host parents and I helped the children to make Valentine's cards for all their classmates, friends and members of the family...We ate heart shape donuts and cookies!! And, I made a Valentine's card for my host family with an acrostic poem...They were so touched by this little present!”

Camille, an au pair from France in New York

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“I decided to extend my stay for another 9 months, because I couldn't see myself leaving yet. Living here in America gives me such great joys, because of all the small adventures I get to go on with a bunch of friends with similar interests. I have been to the beautiful scenic West Coast to the busy streets of New York and historical sites of Washington DC, and I'm taking it all in. There is so much to do and see here and I can't wait to see where my next trip will take me.”

Helene an au pair from Denmark in Virginia

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We asked Sascha, on a personal level what has he taken from his experience as an au pair?

“So many things! I learned that you can only understand a different culture when you really interact with people from that culture. Now I am sure that a year abroad enlarges your horizon more than anything else. You don't have to rely on hearsay or the media, you can experience it yourself and form your own opinion. You get more confident and self-sufficient. I am German but I also feel like an American now and that is awesome. It's amazing to feel at home in more than one place!”

Sascha, and au pair form Germany, in California  

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“Being an au pair you learn to outgrow yourself, to become a better version of your own. I already became more independent, stronger and more mature and I feel like my character changed in a positive way. But not only the big responsibility you take when you care for children makes you grow as a person. It's also about the incredible things you do and see. 

Exploring New York City is the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me and I still can't believe that this wonderful place is basically right in front of my front door. It just makes you see the world with different eyes and it makes you realize how much more there is to explore. 

I'm so excited for what's still to come!”

Marie-Therese and au pair from Germany in New York

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“I used to be a very fearful, insecure and dependent person. I never opened myself up to the new, to the unknown or allowed myself to do anything alone. The au pair program was the first risk that I opened myself up to taking, and it definitely was the best decision that I’ve taken in my life thus far.

As an au pair I have had incredible opportunities! I have visited wonderful places that I never imagined that I would ever have the chance to visit. In a year I had the opportunity to visit more than 12 different states, and most amazingly, I was able to visit Disney World, which had always been my biggest dream.

In short, being an au pair was the best decision I've made in my life so far! I have learned to face my challenges, I have lived unforgettable experiences, I have received incredible opportunities, I have gained friends from around the world, and the best of all is that I have become a better person!”

Barbara, and au pair from Brazil, in Virginia

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“Exploring America is the best thing I have ever done. I have already learnt so much and I love my host children dearly. 

The main things I will take away from this experience is to move forward and never look back, to love my kids and to always remind them of that love and, finally, to grab any opportunity that comes my way because that's what I did with the au pair programme and it's turned out to be the best decision I've made.”

Sophie an au pair from the UK, in Illinois 

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“Living and learning about a new culture is being the best experience I have ever had. There is no monotony in this life, every day is a new lesson and learning. 

In less than four months I have visited ten states and I have improved my English a lot, all of these opportunities are adding a lot to my future. The au pair program is providing me with a unique life experience.”

Julia an au pair from Brazil, in New Jersey

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“Deciding to become an au pair was easy! I was working with children anyway, which is my passion and one day I woke up and said to myself "I'd love to do what I'm already doing but be able to travel at the same time".

I would definitely recommend this programme, it's changed my life. I've finally found who I am as a person, what my strengths are and also my weaknesses. I have also decided what career path I want to go down! (Finally) I've made life long friends from all around the world! From Australia to South Africa!

I came to America wanting to have life long experiences to be able to tell my future children and I have definitely succeeded! 

I couldn't be more blessed! Thank you Cultural Care”

Jessica, an au pair from the UK, in Virginia 

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“During my year as an au pair I discovered so many beautiful places, I met such a great friends.

Currently, I'm living with my beautiful host family in Washington D.C. I'm taking care of 2 wonderful boys, 5 and 9 years old. I really love them, they have become my second family. Now I have so many good memories and my experience is not done because I'm going to extend in California, in a different family!

My advice for someone thinking about being an au pair is: do not hesitate...go to live your best experience ever!”

Amadine an au pair from France, currently in Washington D.C., but soon moving to California!

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We asked Lucyanne an au pair from the UK: why did you decide to become an au pair?

“Since I could talk I have wanted to live in America, and I was working in health care as full time employment. The idea of combining both passions is what made the decision final, I loved working with children and getting to do that job whilst living in America was the perfect fit. On a personal note I also saw this opportunity to gain more confidence as well as gaining more knowledge on different cultures from living as an American but also from the friends you make. I now have friends from so many different countries all of which have something new to teach.”

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“What's great about being an Au Pair is the ability to dive into a whole new life here in the US. You get to know everything better: your host family, the other Au Pairs (who might become your lifelong friends!), the next big city you live in - and even yourself!”

Chiara, an au pair from Germany, in New York State

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“I take care of 11 month old twin boys (Bray Bray and Mr. Kai)...Everyday is an adventure, everyday it's time to learn new things. One of the first things I see in the morning are my host kids, and they light up my day when they look at me, smile and squeal in that cute baby way.

I had a lot of expectations with the Au Pair program, lots of them were achieved and a few more were just beyond everything I expected, in the best way possible. If anyone wants an advice about this exchange program: just do it. Do it with an open heart and an open mind.”

Maria, an au pair from Brazil in Washington state

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“Since I came to the US I have realized that the world is not about just beautiful places, it is about how great people make normal places great. I have met the most amazing human beings during this experience, I can start with my host family. They have shown me their culture and kindness since the very first moment I came into their home. Now I'm in love with my host kids, I hope they'll remember me as I will have them in my heart forever.”

Laura, an au pair from Colombia

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A love letter to the land of opportunities, a love letter to the country I call “home”!

Dear America,

Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. It’s been almost a year since I saw these streets for the first time and I must admit, I immediately fell in love with your pure beauty. You’ve shown me so much of what life has to offer and I’m beyond thankful for that. You’ve opened my eyes, letting me realize what really matters in life. What I want and what I don’t. 

I’ve grown up so fast, making my own decisions and being responsible for my own happiness. I’ve learned so much from my time here. It was a year full of ups and downs but in the end, you’ve only made me stronger than before. 

I’m now the most confident version of myself. I learned to love myself and be proud of who I am today. I’m a happy soul. I’m thankful for all the places I’ve been to and all the amazing people I’ve met. I’ve never experienced such kindness, caring and love from other people before. I’ll go home carrying all of these memories with me in my heart, where no one can ever take them away. 

I’ll always remember this year, full of first times and taking risks because, in the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take. It’s true when they say that it’s not just a year in your life but a life in a year. And I’m definitely not over you. I’ll come back because I know you still have so much more to offer. There’s so much more to see and explore. 

With love and gratitude, with honor and respect, Pia 

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“This experience has made me grow as a person in so many ways. I've looked at things from different perspectives, and also realized what's important in life. I've experienced laughter but also tears. I've learned to live life to the fullest and to never take tomorrow for granted. I've also learned how important it is to surround yourself with people who care about you and make you happy. 

This experience has given me time to think about the future, ambitions and dreams. I've learned to take more responsibility and I would say I've become a little more mature. I start to know what I want to do with my life.”

Alice an au pair from Sweden in New York