"When I decided to go abroad to work as an au pair, I thought I could save
money by arranging it myself. From the moment I arrived at my destination, everything went
wrong. There was no support from anyone at all and the host family I had talked to over
the phone didn't keep one single promise they had made to me. I had no one to fall back on
and could blame no one but myself and decided to go back to my country, and dream less.
This year, I decided to try again and started to look for an organisation who was a member
of IAPA. I did not want to make the same mistake again. I had a great time and wish I had
gone with this organisation the first time. My au pair experience was great."
And another one.....
BONJOUR Rosie!
How are you? No doubt very busy during the festive season. First of all, I have to thank
you very much for making this happen. It was certainly worth going through all those
hassles at the embassy.
Paris is the most beautiful city. It's breathtaking, & I'm having an absolute
ball. My family are great. At the beginning, the children were little monsters, & the
3 year old always wanted Mum. But now, as time goes by & we get to know each other,
they just keep getting better & are very cute. The apartment is very chic & VERY
French & is located 10 minutes from the Arc de Triomphe. I can't believe my luck!
School is getting easier, as my French improves & I passed my first exam! If the
weather permits (it snowed last week!) I walk, & and it entails YSL, Guy Laroche, Nina
Ricci & even Laura Ashley. I've met some great people from school who I go out with.
The nightlife is fantastic, but very expensive. It certainly helps when the French guys
insist on shouting (especially on an au pair's wages!). The shopping is great, but also
very expensive.
The family has a gorgeous country house that we often frequent. The mother is a wonderful
cook, so as you can imagine, the food is in abundance & the red wine just keeps on
flowing. The lifestyle really suits my tastes! Christmas Day is going to be a huge feast,
I can't wait!
After Christmas, the 27th December, we're going to the south of Spain for 10 days. The
weather a lot better than Paris, & their house has a pool & heated spa, so I'm
really looking forward to it. They're also in the process of working out the best time to
go skiing - they have an apartment in Switzerland! I can't believe my luck, the family are
just so nice & I really do feel like a part of the family.
Anyway, have a very Merry Christmas & a fantastic New Year.
Thanks again,
Love, Jane XXX
Well I made it here The flight was soooo long I don't know how you do it as often as you
do! The Villanyi family are great, during the first week Eric got kind of upset if I went
anywhere with him or helped to pick him up from school; Now he races out of the classroom
to greet me. When I got home late the other night he couldn't wait to show me what he'd
been up to. Matt loves to kick the ball around and is always asking about Aussie rules,
has a bit of a temper but so do most boy's when they're seven. Beth is pretty good to
although she has her moments. They tell me it feels like I've been with them for a while
already, and it feels the same for me too. I've learnt my way around and can drive with no
problems. I got my social security number on Friday, I've met two other AuPairs so far,
they're pretty nice to. The meeting is going to be held here this Friday so I'll meet the
others then. Mum and dad have only called me once and they said they're already missing
me- I've only been gone for two weeks!! Theres heaps of traveling planned for the next few
months and I'm looking forward to it.Blu (counselor) is really nice and easy to talk to.
I'm sure I'll have more to tell you in the next few weeks.
From Kerry
P.S. On my way home from walking the kids to school on Monday I heard a bear, all the
dogs started barking, that night the neighbor called to say the bear was in his front
yard, how close, we drove to school for the rest of the week !!
