We’re throwing it back to November 2015 when Amelia jumped on a plane in Toulouse and headed for Washington D.C to start her Au Pair in America journey! We were lucky enough to capture some of Amelia’s au pair experience on film… Meet Amelia and her lovely host family. ❤⬇
Fast forward two and a half years to when we caught up with Amelia to find out what she’s been doing since her Au Pair in America year and how her experience in the USA has influenced her life.
MY STORY
So here is my story: I’m Amelia and I was an au pair for a year, from 2015 to 2016 in Washington D.C. I cared for my adorable Sebastian and we had an amazing time together, every day was an adventure with him. My host parents, Darani and Victor were the best host parents I could ask for. They shared their good advices and crazy habits with me, introducing me to the March Madness experience and trying to explain American football to me… (I still don’t get it!)
Each day was full of happiness and new discoveries and I will keep all these memories in my heart forever. Being an au pair is hard sometimes, you have to get used to a new culture, a new family organisation and new traditions. But it’s been the greatest experience of my life. I can remember everything from the fun afternoons with Seb to the road trips on the West Coast with my friends. I met so many wonderful people, travelled around the U.S, I fell in love with D.C and most importantly, I met my new family. In fact, I lived my American dream! And if you ever wonder whether you should do it or not, don’t hesitate, just do it! You won’t regret it, that’s for sure. It’s an adventure you will remember your whole life.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
I had just received my Baccalaureat diploma when I decided to apply for the Au Pair in America program, and I planned to study International Law after my year in the USA. Finally, after a few months in America and with already millions of new memories in my head, I realized everything had changed. I questioned every plan I had made, and I decided to choose more exciting and diverse studies to pursue when I returned to France. That’s why I choose to go for a Communication degree, and it’s the second best choice I’ve made (of course applying for the Au Pair in America program is the first 😉 ). So when I got home, I packed up my things and moved to Bordeaux to start studying Information and Communication.
ADAPTING
At first, it was hard to leave my American life behind, I missed my host family, friends and D.C so much! It was also tough going back to the French lifestyle, but even though I still miss the U.S all the time, I now feel fulfilled. I’m loving my studies and have found my degree really interesting so far. I’ve also joined several associations at my university and jump at the chance to get involved with a new project. I’m part of a students team which organizes a music festival, and another which organizes different events for students such as parties and sport events.
TRAVEL BUG
One of the main things I took away from my au pair experience was, I now have a BIG appetite for travelling. I spend weekends travelling around Europe with my friends. Every time we have the opportunity to go, we pick a place and we go! As for next year, I applied for the BCi program, to go and study in Montreal for 4 months. I simply can’t wait to experience living in another new country, experiencing another new culture and making even more new memories. What I’ve wanted to do since I got back from the US, is to travel around the world for my entire life. (I think every au pair will tell you the same thing!)
Weekend trip to Milan ❤
I hope my experience will convince you to stop hesitating and live the adventure of your life. Go for it!
