In September 2023, I realized that it was not a good time to enter a university career and I needed to dedicate some time to myself. I was looking at several options to do throughout this year and the most suitable was to go to live temporarily outside my country. To start my working career, since it was my first job, and above all to get to know myself deeply.

I have been learning English since I was very young and I like it very much, so I decided to go to Ireland to continue practicing and perfecting it.

I had the opportunity to contact many host families. With each of them, I arranged an appointment through the Whatsapp application, which was essential to understand the requirements of each family, get to know each other and also get a good impression of that family. But how can you choose the "right" family? Quite simply, you will notice. You must trust your emotions and your perception. After all, you are going to be living with this family for a while.

My host family lives in a village. The words to define that place were peace and nature, Ireland is a beautiful green country. The family had a 1-year-old baby boy, a 3-year-old girl and an older 5-year-old girl. They spoke English and Irish, and I taught them words in Spanish.

I worked every weekday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. I had to stay with the baby all day, take care of him at all times and change his diapers when it was time. In the morning, the girls went to school and in the afternoon, I stayed with the 3 little ones.

On weekends, I had them completely free, even though they did activities outside and included me in the plans, and I was delighted to spend more time with them.

The girls had already had other Au Pairs before, so it's like they are used to seeing a different nanny over time. They welcomed me very well from the first moment and we have become real friends. With the baby, it was a little more difficult since I was his first nanny and he was not used to being with other adults than his parents. As time went by he got used to the idea and he also got very fond of me, just as I got fond of him.

I could not have been happier with these children.

Get in touch with several families, always make video calls to get a good understanding of what they need or require. Ask about the room, bathroom, etc... for interests in activities and the like. I would also ask families for pictures of these facilities to get an idea before I get there.

Don't get hot under the collar at the first hurdle, don't be afraid if it seems difficult to build a relationship with the kids. You are there for them, so you will grow up together and they will get to know you better in the future. Also, don't forget that the parents are there for you too, so if you have problems, talk to them; they will know how to help you every step of the way.

My stay has lasted 6 months, during which I have taken a lot of advantage of and I have enjoyed Ireland to the fullest.

It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that, if you don't have the opportunity to do it already, you will never have the chance to do it again. I highly recommend this experience because it makes you grow as a person, mature, and be out of your comfort zone for a while. I have to say that at the beginning it is hard, we all go through the same thing, a reality comes to you and you think why are you there alone or how are you taking a plane without anyone else. But once you pass this little phase, everything goes up and you start to really enjoy it.

 

I'm glad I took that flight in September and it's a decision I would make a thousand times over.

 

Heartfelt thanks to my host family who became my second family and treated me great from the very first moment.

 

I am sure I will be visiting them again in the future to see how they have grown over the years.