Story

Discovering a new culture

How I learned to live like a local

My biggest motivator for becoming an au pair in the USA was wanting to spend a year of my life fully immersed in someone else's lifestyle and culture. I was eager to explore a new country, try new foods, learn a new language, meet new people—and learn what it meant to live in America. Of course, working with kids was great because spending time with them is fun. And even though it is a huge responsibility, if you love what you're doing you will be happy to take on your childcare duties every day.

Before starting my program, I had read so much about other au pairs' experiences that I knew it was something I wanted to try for myself. I was looking for a place I could call a second home, with a family that would see me as a new member of their family. And in the meantime, this unforgettable experience would allow me to improve my English!

Thanks to my time as an au pair, my life has changed completely. I have discovered a lot of things about myself that I am not sure I would have discovered if I had never left. I was surprised to learn that I'm much more patient that I thought—and that I'm a much more persistent and confident person after having to handle different situations on my own, being 100% responsible for my decisions.

Since being back in Argentina, I've found a full-time job and am finally able to move out and live on my own for the first time ever. Being an au pair gave me a taste of independence, confidence and a greater sense of freedom in my life.