Author: Roisin Astell

Paris Buildings and architecture, Paris France

I’ve been featured! – Life of an Au Pair in Paris, 21 Steps & Beyond

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A few weeks back I wrote an article for 21 Steps & Beyond about my time being an Au Pair in Paris, and I have the pleasure to say that you too can finally read all it! It was wonderful to be able to sit and write about my experiences as an au pair, and is one of the reasons why I am enjoying The Au Pair Series here on my blog so much. Many thanks to Paola Peinado for organising this wonderful magazine, and for allowing me to contribute! As well as my Parisian adventure, be sure to read the wonderful articles about being au pairs in Ireland and Italy! You can check it out here.  

The Au Pair Series: Vanessa in Edewecht, Germany

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Becoming an Au Pair Tell us about yourself! I’m a Canadian from the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). I recently graduated university and didn’t really have a concrete plan of what I wanted to do so I decided living abroad as an au pair would be an awesome opportunity to travel and to experience a different culture. Where and when were you an au pair? I am currently an au pair in a small town called Edewecht in Northern Germany. I’ve been here since the beginning of January 2015. Why did you choose to go au pairing in that particular country? I’ve had a love for Germany and Germans for a while. Partly because my dad spent some time in Germany around my age, but also because I graduated with a history major where my main interest was German history and society. What was the ‘aim’ of your year as an au pair? The aim of my year abroad was and still is to experience a new culture, see what makes it different from Canada, become …

The Au Pair Series, Mandy Geneva

The Au Pair Series: Mandy in Geneva

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Becoming an Au Pair Tell us about yourself. I am a software developer and Digital Nomad. I’m currently in the Ukraine, but I’m house sitting and just generally wandering my way through Europe for the next few months. Where and when were you an au pair? From 2001-2 I was with a family just outside of Geneva, Switzerland. Why did you choose to go au pairing in that particular country? I was offered jobs in Germany and Barcelona, but I chose Geneva because it is so central so traveling to other places would be easy, and I really liked the family. What was the ‘aim’ of your year as an au pair? To travel internationally. I’d never been outside the US though I’d traveled extensively there. I wanted to get a chance to see more of the world before I settled down and did the whole family thing. How did you find your au pair family, and what tips would you have for those beginning their own searches for potential families? I found them through …

The Au Pair Series, Mary in Denmark

The Au Pair Series: Mary in Denmark

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Becoming an Au Pair Tell us about yourself! I’m originally from the Philippines. I’m only 21 when I decided to be an au pair. Where and when were you an au pair? I’m currently in Denmark. I moved here late 2013. Why did you choose to go au pairing in that particular country? The offer wasn’t really for me, it’s for my sister but she can’t go. So she asked me if I wanted to give it a try. Basically, I didn’t chose 🙂 What was the ‘aim’ of your year as an au pair? At first, I just wanted to go away. I was fresh graduate and got a job right away. But I wasn’t very happy; I don’t know what kind of job I wanted to do. Finding a job is also challenging, I don’t want to be labeled as Degree holder but jobless. I don’t really have any idea what is an au pair, I just said yes and took the opportunity to go away, travel and find myself. How did you …

Paris Metro sign, black and white

A return to Rainy Paris

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After being back in England for a month, last weekend I was headed back to Paris.Sadly it was only for a weekend, but any amount of time spent in Paris is sure to be appreciated. Despite having lived there for the past year and calling it my home, as I boarded the plane I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. This time I was somewhat of an outsider – I was no longer the current au pair, and so it felt a little different visiting the city that had stolen my heart. Despite these minor worries, I was super excited to get back to the city of Lights and couldn’t wait! Although the weather throughout the entire weekend was pretty awful – rain everyday – I still had a wonderful time meeting with some of my closest and dearest friends who still live in Paris, as well as spending time with my au pair family. As soon as I stepped off the metro to meet one of my French friends, I knew that I …