Go Au Pair

In 2 weeks the most incredible year of my life thus far will be coming to an end ! \r \r I am an au pair for 4 boys in the beautiful Minnesota ! They are 6 4 3 and 1 of age ! As you can imagine they are all just little energy bundles ! \r \r I had so much fun teaching them and playing with them! I have a strong relationship with each of them. This did not come without hard work and persistence! Each of them have their own likes and dislikes! It was challenging setting the boundaries of when I am a friend and playful and when I am the disciplining care taker.\r \r This year was such a success thanks to my host parents who always back me up and support me with my decisions that I make while I am taking care of the kids ! For example if one of the boys were naughty and I said he loses dessert as a consequence for the action they will not give him dessert later on when I am off duty ! \r \r My host family is beyond amazing they truly invited and welcomed me into their family limitlessly ! I was not just an employee living in the house, I always felt welcome and included. We have formed life long relationships ! \r \r One thing that helped keep everything going smoothly was our weekly meetings even if they just lasted 2 minutes some times. It kept an open atmosphere to speak when something came up. A written schedule kept questions about working too much at bay ! \r \r The LAR added a whole lot of fun to this year by arranging some awesome events for our monthly meetings ! She is a very warm and compassionate person yet professional ! She helps where she can and gives great advise! \r \r I had a very fun and culturally educational year thanks to Go au pair and the great system they have in place for making it possible ! more

Hey everyone,\r \r my name is Charlotte, I'm 19 years old and I come from Germany. I'd like to give you a little insight of my great journey as an Au Pair which I started 5 months ago. \r I live in a hostfamily in Maple Grove, Minnesota and take care of a little baby who will turn 8 months in a few days. \r I'm really enjoying my stay in the U.S. to its fullest since everyone's giving me great time here so far. What enriches my stay most is not only my nice hostfamily with their really helpful, understaning and fun manners but also the cultural part of this stay. Since you meet so many different Au Pairs who bring a great part of their culture into their hostfamilies life and also in your life, it is nearly impossible not being included in that circle. Once you meet them, you share experiences and cultural manners which is always a fun thing to do. Minnesota offers a variety of things to do even at first sight it might not appear so to everyone. Not only the Mall of America is a meeting point, but also our huge park resorts with snow tubing in winter and outdoor swimming in summer offer a great opportunity to have lots of fun!\r Winter might be not the best time of the year to got out but however there is something to do with the kids - and even I with a baby sometimes participate in my friends activities with their kids on the weekends 'cause it's just nice having them around. We for example are doing baby crafts, go to a story time or just invite friends to come over. Minnesota also has a beautiful landscape, even in winter when everything is white and you just see a white ""desert"". \r \r For me being an Au Pair does not only mean having fun with friends but also accept responsibility and also to outgrow of oneself - taking this adventure means broaden your horizon which works best for me when you dare doing things you've never seen yourself into before. And this is, for me, such an advantage of this programme - you will always have someone around when you need him and also learn how to manage your new life here on your own, which can be tough at the beginning but starts to be fun once you start dealing with every fear, problem and opportunity. The only thing I needed was faith that things will work out and it turned out being the greatest and most beautiful adventure in my life - for that reason I'd like to encourage everyone whos interested in being an Au Pair to take that trip and see it as and opportunity to learn about yourself, others and to see yourself from an other side. more

I’m Leizel Heunis from South Africa and I’m currently an au pair in Minnesota. Having been an au pair before, I’ve used different au pair agencies. Go Au Pair is really a great agency, the staff are always very friendly and ready to assist. \r \r As an au pair you have a Local Area Representative, who is there to support and assist you on your journey. My LAR is brilliant, she’s always there to answer any questions I may have no matter how ‘small’ I think the questions may be. If she's unsure about the answer, she’ll make an effort to find it, or direct you to the person who may have the answers. My LAR organizes wonderful au pair meetings/events, where you get to meet up with other au pairs in and around your area. \r \r Being an au pair is truly an awesome experience, Go Au Pair has matched me with a wonderful Host Family. I’m the au pair of two amazing 4 year olds. There is never a dull moment, we spend our days laughing, learning, acting silly and exploring the parks, zoos, and museums of Minnesota.\r \r I completely agree with R. Ruth, the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, who said: “This (au pair) program is a unique opportunity for you to experience first-hand the culture and diversity that the United States has to offer.”\r more

Hi everyone. my name is Alejandra Rodriguez and I´m from Colombia. I have been here for 7 months and I have lived the most beautiful experience. I am taking care 4 kids, a boy 6 year, his birthday is very soon, a girl 5 years, other boy 3 years and a lovely baby 20 months... all day they make me feel happy, I have learned a lot of things about the kids and now I know how is the personality of each. this experience has taught me not only to learn about the childrens or other culture, but also, I have learned about myself and I feel stronger now. I share with my kids all day and we play, sing, and I teach them Spanish. I feel happy when they tell me words in Spanish. \r \r I love to be au pair because it is a great opportunity to have a cultural exchange, meet new people, not only American people, and you can improve your Eglish. other thing I like the program is that all the time I feel suported for Tessa, our coordinator, she cares about our process with the families and she help us to improve if we have some problem. \r \r I really thankful with my host family, they are nice with me and I am very happy with my job. more

Hi, My name is Daniela, I'm Au Pair from Colombia, Now im lived in Nicholasville KY. I have been here for 3 months, since I arrived my host family has been very nice, friendly and helpful, they are great!!! im take care twins, they are so cute and tender.\r I want tell you about this program and my experience, when I decides become to USA, my principal goal is learn English and know other culture and traditions and sure make friends from different country, this is a good experience for your personal and grow up developed.\r \r more

Hi my name is Paula, I'm from Colombia, and right now I live in Park City, Utah; Which is one of the most beautiful cities that you can be, I love the view, the mountains and the ski's resorts ... It has been an amazing cultural experience... I've been here for about a month and a half. Since I got here my host family has been warm and friendly always taking care of what I can need.... On the other hand, I've met people from different parts of the world letting me to know other cultures and their customs; besides that, I've been in beautiful places that always offers a great view and now I'm taking skiing lessons which I found a very cool activity to do.... Right now I'm looking forward to gain experiences, friends, knowledge and all the great things that au pair program has to offer :D more

Hi,\r \r My name is Marizeth Uys, I am an au pair from South Africa. I have been in the States for 7 months and I am having the time of my life!! I live in Salt Lake City, right next to the Capitol building. My family is great and they are really going above and beyond to give me the best experience I can get. I take care of three boys 6, 4, 10months and I cannot wait to see them everyday, I love spending time with them and being a part of they're lives! They take me to see places, I get to travel and they support me in choices and decisions I have to make!\r \r I am so happy that I did this through Go Au Pair, they are definitely the best agency that you can choose!! they are always there to support you when you need them, they answer all the questions you have (which is a lot of questions) and they are willing to help you out if you need help! Our LAR is supportive, caring and she definitely does a lot for the group!\r \r I have had so many opportunities to see parts of the States, to meet new people, make friends and be a part of a great family!\r \r What I am thankful for the most is that I can say I HAVE TWO FAMILIES, NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN SAY THAT!\r \r more

Hi, everyone! My name is Svitlana, I’m 22 and I’m an au-pair. I came from Ukraine and now live in Woods Cross city, Utah. I have been living here only for two month, but I have many things I want to tell about this program and my experience! Au-pair program it’s a really great-great chance for young people to see another country, people, to study language, to learn new culture and traditions, to try new food (most of time very yummy), to make friends from all over the world and get such a good experience being with children and grow up by yourself. \r it was scary and exciting the same time, which family you will join to. I am with Sahm family now and I’ve had feeling that it’s my family after our first video chat. This family is really awesome!! I’m taking care of two boys (twins) – 1,5 years and a girl – 4,5 years! These children are so cute!!! They make me happy and smiling all the time! They are already part of my life and I love them! My host parents are very nice, friendly, understanding people, always close to help! I haven’t had a homesick with this family yet, and, guess, I won’t! I don’t feel that I’m alone here! I’m very thankful that have this family in my live! I think we will have a great year together!!!\r I’m happy that I choose this program and Go Au-pair agency. It is easy to do with this agency! They are always with me, from the beginning, support me all the time, give tips and important information. And if I don’t know something, they are available to help. And I want to say thanks to our LAR, for helping and for doing our au-pair activities! It’s the best way to make friends and spend your leisure time.\r I wanna say to everyone, who is thinking about this program, just do it! more

Hi, my name is Sonia and I am an aupair from Spain. Since I took the decision to become to an aupair in the United States (I was really scared about everything), Go Aupair helped me in all and they were available for all my doubts. I am taking care of two children, a boy (8) and a girl (5). I am 22 years old and I am living in Salt Lake City, UT. I recommend to everybody this experience because it's really amazing to meet people from all over the world, exchange cultures, go to the university, living in a host American family... About my family I have to say I LOVE them and I won't never forget them, they are so nice with me and I am feeling like one more member of the family. I love my friends and I love do things together but I love shopping and the US is the best for this! \r I love the place where I live, my neighborhood is really close to the canyon and it's wonderful the mountain, the colors in fall, the snow in winter (I came from Valencia, near to the beach in Spain but I got used to so easy!)... \r So, I think that this experience is an amazing opportunity to go abroad and live your life. I can't imagine when my hostchildren will be in my age now and it's really beautiful feeling like you have other family in other country.\r \r Sonia M Delgado more

My name is Polina, and I am a Local Area Representative (LAR) for Go Au Pair in Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks County, & part of NJ. I have been working as a LAR for the past 5 years, and I would like to share my experience.\r I am originally from Ukraine, and my personal experience of adjusting to the life in the United States together with experience of working as a counselor for many years has given me great insight into my work as a LAR. I feel firsthand the importance for new Au Pairs feeling my support, welcoming other Au Pairs and making friends on facebook even before they left their home. We have a supporting circle of friends in the cluster and some traditions in helping new Au Pairs.\r As a LAR, I always ask myself what else I can do to bring a rich cultural exchange experience to this circle – volunteering with my Au Pairs at the Philadelphia Marathon or celebrating Chinese New Year (there are 6 Au Pairs from China in my cluster). Spending time with young unique individuals and learning about their culture and traditions is always a pleasure.\r In my recent trip to Go Au Pair office in Utah, I met a dedicated team that works very hard to prevent any issues. I enjoy my job as a Local Area Representative with Go Au Pair because I believe that Go Au Pair has the best customer service, they are always willing to help and solve any issues on the spot. One call away, you can speak with a real person who is looking forward to helping you.\r The Go Au Pair agency’s philosophy is keeping their Au Pairs happy. Happy Au Pairs mean happy children and happy families. That is why in 2013 the agency started a unique program called “Au Pair Sis” that supports Au Pairs. Last month, Go Au Pair also sent a special Christmas present with a greeting card to each Au Pair from the agency!\r As a LAR for Go Au Pair I feel that working with the Go Au Pair agency’s team, my host families and Au Pairs is very rewarding experience. I think that it has been a great experience for the host families from my area as well. Recently, six families from twenty host families nominated their Au Pairs for IAPA’s Au Pair of the Year Award for their excellent work as an Au Pair! Happy Au Pairs make happy Go Au Pairs’ families for sure!\r more

Hi everybody!\r My name is Denise, I'm from Germany and I turned 19 during my year in the US. I was an au pair in Indianapolis (IN) in 2013 and I took care of two girls, who are two and five years old. \r My decision to be an au pair was the best decision I made in my life so far. I learned so many things about myself and about other people. I became more independent, mature and improved my English skills a lot. I recommend a year abroad to everyone! \r I gained a new family by being an au pair. My host family is amazing and I loved them from day one. My host parents are like my aunt and uncle to me now and my girls are like my little sisters or cousins. I love them with all my heart and I know that they will be a part of my life forever. I decided to extend my year as an au pair, but with a new host family. You may wonder why I didn't stay with my current host family, when I love them so much. They really wanted me to stay with them, but I've seen everything in Indiana already and I wanted to experience something new in my second year. Me and my host family decided that looking for a new family would be the best for me. Like that I can use my time as an au pair to the fullest and live somewhere new. It was a really hard decision and for the longest time I regret, not extending with my current family but then I finally matched with a second host family and they seem just as great. I will move to Santa Barbara, CA in about a week and spend my second year on the west coast. \r I met a lot of amazing people during my first year and something like that is priceless! I love to speak English and it is awesome to be able to say that you are fluent in English. \r \r Of course being an au pair can also be very exhausting. If you think, you'll be spending a year of vacation in America, you are wrong. You are working and kids can be a challenge. It's not like babysitting, you are basically being a mom/dad! Even though you're only working 45 hours a week and not 24/7 you are around your kids and your family all the time, since you are living with them. I didn't mind hanging out with my family even though I wasn't working, at all. I had dinner with them nearly every night and I spent a lot of time especially with my host mom. I went on vacation with them and we would go visit family all the time. But if I had planned something with friends, they always respected that. My host parents didn't treat me like an employee, but like a part of their family. \r \r Go AuPair is a great agency! I never had any trouble. My LAR was super nice and always there for me. If I had any questions or needed something I could immediately reach out to someone. It's not a giant agency which means there are not as many families and au pairs as with other agencies, but in my opinion that makes it easier to match with a family. \r \r I hope my review gives you an idea of how it is to be an au pair. My experiences influenced my life forever and I don't want to miss any of them. \r \r Good luck to every future au pair, don't be afraid, you won't regret it! \r \r xoxo Denise more

Hi! \r \r Finding myself divorced with 2 elementary school-aged children and having a demanding career in Lexington, Kentucky presented a significant child-care challenge! Initially, I hired a full-time college student at the local university to help with the children thinking that would be sufficient. Unfortunately, I was wrong! My child care requirements were virtually ignored. If my 6 year old son wanted 3 Popsicles, that's what he got. So I began exploring other child-care options. Several friends of mine on the West Coast had recommended finding an Au Pair, so I began a search. Being in Lexington, I soon discovered that there were very few agencies that represented our city, but Go Au Pair was one. \r \r The matching process was so simple. I filled out an on-line profile with my requirements and added some photos and I was matching with potential au pairs within an hour!\r \r I highly recommend the au pair program. Our Au Pair is just another member of our family! She has been such a positive influence on the children and is extremely responsible. She teaches them things about her home country, while also taking the very best care of them when I can't be there. She gets them up in the morning and sees them off to school, helps with homework, takes them to dental or doctor appointments, shuttles them to their extra-curricular activities and helps with their night-time routines if I am working late. She goes everywhere we go - church, vacation, to the lake on the weekends in the summer, whatever we are doing, she's just an extension of our family. \r \r Go Au Pair is a very reputable agency. They are always available if we have any questions about anything at all - just very helpful in every way. I have enjoyed working with them and highly recommend them if you are looking for an au pair agency.\r \r We have been very blessed with the addition of an au pair to our family! I never have to worry about the welfare of my children when I am working, which is a huge relief to me! We are very thankful to have her! \r \r \r \r \r more

My name is Jessica\r \r I turned 19 on the day i left my country for the Us.. Im originally from South-Africa and im staying with a family from 3 kids a twin (boy and girl) from 3years and then they litlle brother Keegan (turning 2 in April 2014) in Minnesota Lakeville.\r \r I have to admit that I was homesick a lot in the beginning , I didn't think im gonna be able to make a full year. And now im in this Au pair program for over 6months , as I Know now im getting closer to go back to my country im getting so sad to leave my kids that I have build such a great relationship with and who taught me so much of myself . \r \r Different people decide to come to the Us for different reasons and different expectations . Its just what you as a person makes of your time here , we have an amazing Lar who will help you with anything and will go out her way to have the right answers and help you found the things you need for any circumstance..\r \r Ill leave here with a different character and different why of seeing life... more

Hi, my name is Judy, I 'm from China, 21 years old. I'm taking care of a 18-month boy. He is very smart and cute, I like him even though he is naughty sometimes. Being an aupair in America, will be a good and precious experience for me, because I learn much more different life style and improve my English. My host family is very nice, I'm kind of quite sometimes, they try to share almost everything that is funny and important in daily life, they treat me sincerely. I know it's hard to be a real family together, but we are like friends, we helped each other. So in the following 5 months, we will cherish the time together, I will miss them! that's for sure!! more

Hi!\r \r My name is Bree Ramirez, I'm from Mexico and I'm an Au pair, living with a host family at US. I'm here since August and I'm very happy... it has been a pretty good experience so far. The family is awesome and they all treat me as a part of their family. My host mom talk a little of spanish and I'm helping to the kids to learn my language. I think that was the most important thing for me while we -my host family and I- were making the match: I needed to practice my english and they needed someone to practice their spanish, so we had a win-win situation... also the guys are just lovely! They are making me feel very glad from decide to come here to work with them. \r \r Here I like to visit different places and know more about the state where I'm living now, which is Kentucky, also I like to meet new friends: girls from another countries whom are also Au pair as me, and people at the school. \r \r this is a really good chance to learn about the american culture and also improve your skills with their language.. more

Hi everybody!\r \r My name is Raphaela, I am 19 years old and I am from Germany. I stay here in the United States (Kentucky) already for two and a half month and I love every single day.\r It is amazing what I already experienced. As an Au-Pair you can make such great experiences - you learn a lot about yourself, you become independent, you have to take responsibiliy, improve your language skills and above all you learn for life. \r As an Au Pair you are part of a family, so you are absolutly involved in the american culture. For example, you get to know very close how the Americans celebrate Halloween or festivals like Thanksgiving or Christmas. There is no better possibility to get to know a foreign culture than spending time in a family with kids. \r \r Moreover, my hostfamiliy is amazing. I am so glad to met them. I take care for two lovely kids - a six year-old boy and a eleven year-old girl. My hostparents have to work a lot during the week but at the weekends we do many things together and they invite me to everything. From the first moment on I felt like a part of the familiy. It is my hostfamily who really make this year very special for me and I cannot tell you how thankful I am to spend my time with them. \r Of course there are challenges, too. You have to deal with completely new situations in a foreign culture but these challenges make the time so interesting, too. \r \r But anyways without Go Au Pair I wouldn't have the possibility to make such great experiences. I would choose Go Au Pair again and again. Go Au Pair have done a great job. Because there are checking the Au Pairs and the Hostfamilies very well, it is possible to find the perfect familiy for each Au Pair.\r What is more, they are always there when you have questions or when you need help. Right after I arrived the United States, my local area representive was checking how I am feeling. The local area representive try to help us Au Pairs to meet different People from all over the world, too. \r \r However, I am sure this year will influence my life very much and I wouldn't like to miss any of my experiences which I already made. more

Hi, my name is Jonathan. I'm from Colombia and I'm 23 years old. I've been in the U.S. since August. I live in Eden Prairie, Minnesota with an adorable family. they have 2 children, the girl is 9 and the boy is 7. I feel part of their family, we do many activities together and I think the relationship has been good.\r \r Go au pair is an excellent agency because they offer to you many advantages to meet new people and to support you in this process. My LAR coordinator is always available to answer my questions and help me in everything I need. we have been in many activities where we can interact with other au pair, which is amazing cause everybody has your own experience, I love it!!!\r \r Being an Au pair is an opportunity to grow up by yourself, to expand your knowledge and know a different culture for 1 year. \r \r In the next 10 months my host family and I will live a wonderful experience full of happiness, learning and fun moments to remember when we finish this awesome experience.\r \r So why don't you be an Au pair o have one in your house? Think it, it will be amazing!!!! Trust me. \r \r My best wishes for new au pairs or new host families that wanna live the best experience ever. :))) more

Hi, my name is Alma. I was an Au Pair in Boston. My program ended last August. I had an amazing family that made me feel as part of the family. I made lots and good friend. I miss my Au pair life. It is hard to say goodbye to that life when everything it is so pretty good. I miss all my friends and my family.\r \r The Go Au Pair agency answered promptly when I had questions. It is a good agency. The only suggestion that I have it is sometimes they took to long to go an visit you and give you the welcome talk and package when you just arrive. Other then that I think they come out with good meetings. It helped me to meet new people and really good friends.\r \r Thanks Go Au Pair for a great year. It was just unavailable!! more

Hi,my name is Di Zhang.I come from China.I'm an Au Pair in a host family.The family is very good.I've been here for 4 months.The host family has become my home and a part of my life.I like Au Pair life.It's amazing.I have a good chance to make new friends.The angency always make us together to join many great activities.\r I'm studying in a good collage now.I have many Chinese classmates.So ,I feel so nice.I really think it is a good chance to know American culture,lifestyle and so on.I studied a lot of things I didn't know before in my collage and my host family.Everyone around me is a good teacher for me.\r I watched my first baseball game with my host family ,Niki(she is my angency,she is great.she helped me find collage and solved my troubles.she likes my older sister)and my new Au Pair friend Catherine .My host family is baseball fan so we enjoyed it so much.\r I like my host family and my new life.\r more

We've had our Au pair for almost four months and our process started about 6 weeks prior to her arrival. We had all the information we needed because our local representative and the home office worked so well together to answer all of our questions. We were thrilled when we matched with Nita and even more happy that she was everything that we hoped shed be and more!! We were all very aware of what kinds of challenges this transition could create but we were prepared and our experience so far has been wonderful! We've grown close with our Au pair and our children love her and trust her. She goes above and beyond her duties by pitching in around the house and asking if there are errands she can help us accomplish when she's out. She finds fun and age appropriate activities for our two kids everyday. I feel so pleased about our decision to go Go Au Pair because we couldn't have made the decision or followed through on the process without their support. We still have many months with Nita and its such a relief to go to the office everyday and know that our kids are in such great hands. Nita has truly become part of our family!!! more