The thing people ask me when I inform them I am going to be
spending the summer in Spain is Why? Study abroad? Vacation? Family? When I
answer no, I usually receive a look of
confusion, which turns into a blank stare when I explain that I am going to be
an Au Pair. Many people don’t know what an Au pair is so to clear things up the
dictionary definition is: a young foreign person, typically a woman, who helps
with housework or child care in exchange for room and board. So that is exactly
what I am doing. I am going to Cadiz, Spain and taking care of three kids, a
6-year old girl, a 10-year old boy, and a 12-year old boy. Cadiz is in the
south of Spain. It ‘s on this little peninsula that reminds me of miniature
Italy. If you look at it on a map it’s practically in Africa. It is the oldest
inhabited city in Europe and right next to the beach. Sounds pretty great
right? Yea it is, and I am extremely lucky that I have AMAZING parents who
trust me enough to send me to the other side of the world to live with someone
they have never met. Not only that they loaned me the money to pay for my plane
ticket until I can pay them back. The family pays for my housing and food, and
gives me a weekly allowance of 70€. They also are taking me with them to this
awesome resort town called Sancti Petri...So how did I get hooked up with such
a sweet deal. Well God first off. During the middle of this last quarter of
college I realized I had no idea what I was doing over the summer and was stressing
out, I mean losing sleep (when I did sleep). I was afraid I was going to return
home over the summer jobless and bored. But after talking to my amazing mom and
great friends they told me that I was being dumb and should just put it all in
God’s hands. So that’s what I did, I prayed about it and said “God whatever I’m
supposed to do this summer, I trust you”. A few days later I got an email from
a family in Iceland. They had gotten my contact information from a website I
had signed up for at the beginning of the year called GreatAupair.com. I had
completely forgotten about it. So I started doing my research again. I found a
legitimate website called Aupairworld.net and made a profile. I then went
through and sent an email to about 30 families who were looking for an Au Pair
the dates I was available. Less than an hour later I started receiving emails.
A few days later I was conducting skype interviews, and after a week and a half
I had chosen my family.
The family
doesn’t speak English and I don’t exactly speak Spanish either so communication
should be difficult, but I’m hoping the few years of Spanish I took in
highschool will resurface so I’ll somewhat be able to fit in among the locals.
Other than what I have previously stated I really have no idea what to expect.
I am ready for the adventure of a lifetime, but at the same time afraid of
being away from family and friends for
such an extended period of time. I’ve only been through the plane flight and I
already miss so many people. As I
currently sit at an the airport in Madrid waiting for my connecting flight to
Seville, where my host family will be waiting (hopefully with a sign, I’ve
always wanted to be greeted with a sign…),I’ve decided to write down my goals
for the summer. For all of my close friends reading this, you better ask me
when I get home if I’ve accomplished all my goals…hopefully I can say yes!
1.
To be inspired… Most of the time I feel young
people get into a routine. School, Eat, Work, Be social, Sleep (sleep is
usually the last priority for me) and we forget about everything the world has
to offer. I guess that’s why I felt it was so important for me to travel this
summer. I feel as if I need to experience something new to be inspired to want
to work harder in school and life.
2.
Make friends… I really hope I make friends my
own age, I mean at least one…So I can have young people conversations…and
hopefully they speak some English, maybe I’ll even meet another Au pair!
3.
Read!.... I never have time during the school
year to read, So I told my parents to pick a bunch of “Smart people books”
(which is what I refer to them as) so I can develop myself this summer and
learn about how to be successful in life!
4.
Get tan… If you’ve seen me this one is pretty
self-exclamatory.
5.
Become more mature… Not being surrounded by
American teenagers and other English speakers will hopefully force me to become
more independent.
6.
Fight the American sterotypes… As much as I want
to fit into the bimbo talking, high-maintanence, inconsiderate stereotype that
many Americans have oversees I would prefer to be viewed in a little bit more
of a positive light among the locals!
For now that’s all… I know this was a long post, but have no
fear, I highly doubt I will have this much to say in my other posts, but check up
once a week to see what I’m up to and if you’re one of the people interested in
being an Au pair I will try my best to give you as much information about my
life here as possible! Alright Peace out Girls Scouts (and boy scouts)
p.s. If you got
through this whole post, congratulations that means you’re a true friend… (I’m
kidding though).
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