au pair

Au Pair Wiktoria in Spain - How I became an Au Pair

by WiktoriaReading time: 3 min.
How I became an Au Pair in Spain - How it all started
AuPair.com would like to introduce our readers to one of our new blog writers - Wiktoria.
She is an Au Pair from Poland that has started to collaborate with us and will write about her personal experience as an Au Pair in Spain, touching on many topics. These posts will give you an insight on what it actually means to become an Au Pair! 
Make sure to follow us and Wiktoria on Instagram to be update on the new posts! 
 
Hi everyone! 
 
I would like to warmly greet you all, because from now on, I will post some blog posts on AuPair.com about my personal experience of being an Au Pair. Firstly, I would like to introduce myself with a few words and explain why I am writing here.
 
My name is Wiktoria, I'm 19 years old, originally from Poland and I am currently working as an Au Pair in Spain. I love travelling, photography, horse riding, meeting new people and getting to know new cultures. Immediately after finishing high school, I decided that I didn't want to continue my studies; instead I wanted to take a year off and, when my willingness and motivation will come back, choose the field of study and start learning again because I want to, not because I have to.
 
I know that, nowadays, after finishing high school, a large part of people is not of sure of what they want to do in life. At that point, you have two options. You can decide whether to continue with your studies, even if you don’t want to, or to let go and plan your year a bit differently. I chose the second option, because I realized that this is the best moment to experience something amazing that I will remember for the rest of my life. I also knew that “normal” work was not for me, and for what I love the most – travelling - I didn't have enough money nor did I have experience in organizing a trip for a small amount.
 
So I felt a bit lost but I didn't give up. I started to look for interesting ideas and alternatives that I could do as an inexperienced teenager with a small amount of savings, just after high school. After two weeks, while I was scrolling through Instagram, I bumped into a post of a girl who described the first days of her adventure as an Au Pair in Mexico. I would like to point out that I had already heard about the Au Pair program, but I was never interested in it enough to delve more into this topic and learn more.

However, on that day, I realized that maybe that was the way that may allow me to experience an unforgettable gap year. So I started reading about it, I watched videos of Au Pairs on Youtube, asked questions to the program participants. I like children very much, I love learning about new cultures and new experiences, but the prospect of going to a foreign country, meet new people, living in someone else’s home terrified me. Looking at it now - I have absolutely no idea why I was scared, because it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. After a month, the foreign country became my second homeland, I called my new people “my family” and the new home became a place where I always happily returned after my weekend trips with my friends.
 
Before I left, I was worried about the cost, because as I wrote, I didn’t have a lot of savings. However, it wasn't a big expense because I found my host family on the AuPair.com website for free. I only spent the money for a plane ticket to Spain. That's it!
Then, I was getting my pocket money and I didn't have to worry about anything because both food and accommodation were provided by my family.
 
It sounds great, and it is! That's why I appreciate this program so much! Not only because you can travel to another country for little money without any worries, but because it is a unique, unforgettable adventure, after which you will have a second family in a different place in the world, which you can always write to, call or even visit, and they will always welcome you with their arms wide open.
 
Well, now I would like to share more detailed information with you. As I wrote at the beginning, I am currently working as an Au Pair in Spain, looking after two lovely boys, aged 6 and 11. The family I came across is very traditional and I appreciate good relations with close relatives and spending time among the most important people; and above all, it is very big. Personally, I grew up in a small family and always wanted to see what it is like to be in a large, traditional family. I am very happy that I can learn about Spanish customs and spend Christmas with this family. Of course, you gain not only a family, but also friends and, above all, a wonderful experience, which is probably the greatest reward.
 
I know that many people are hesitant and need motivation to decide on such a trip. On this blog, I will share my personal experiences, write some posts and texts with tips for you. The topic of “Au Pair” is very close to me, so I have lots of ideas in my head and the desire to bring you closer to this fantastic world. I hope you will want to find out more after reading this, because it is really worth it.
 
That's all for today.
Till next time!
 
Wiktoria

If you have any questions for Wiktoria, you can reach her on Instagram: @wiktoriasitarczyk

Travel scamby Elena on 30 Oct, 2018Read More »
Tips for the first interview with the Host Familyby Wiktoria on 21 Dec, 2018Read More »
Some Thoughts...
Lina
Dec, 18, 2018 - 11:12 pm
Wiktoria, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. It's so interesting to read and it motivates me to do the same.
Ennie
Dec, 19, 2018 - 03:12 pm
So nice story....
Mitchie
Dec, 19, 2018 - 06:12 pm
How to apply a nanny to going to Spain.im working now here in Kuwait. But I'm still find a new job while I'm waiting my contract finish..
Ursula
Dec, 31, 2018 - 07:12 pm
Hi Wiktoria I would like to know do I get a holiday or off days as an aupair or do I need to work for the whole year before I can meet some of my friends.
Ellen
May, 14, 2022 - 08:05 am
Hi wiktoria Thanks for sharing your adventures with us am so grateful. Am motivated to dare the world as an au pair from Kenya.
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