It's been a long 5 months waiting for this trip and I still have a month to go before I truly leave for Germany. I would like to share how I first met my awesome host family. I decided to become an au pair in the summer of 2010 and I joined the website called greataupair.com (it's used a lot by other au pairs, I know two other girls who used it also) and I found a family in the Hamburg area which was where I wanted to be. Around the end of September/ beginning of October I got an email from my host family saying they were interested in me. I said yes I would love to be their au pair for the summer and plans have been set! It takes a lot to get to where I am right now though.
1) Trust
2)Passport
3) Flight
4) Save save save!!!
I skype with my host family about twice a week and I enjoy it so much. They are such nice people, and I can't wait to meet them and their adorable little boy. I have been lucky enough to have the chance to meet them BEFORE I go to Germany, as they are going to Florida for vacation in April. My mom, brother, and I are going down to Florida to meet them and get to know them better. I can't wait! 6 days away from Ohio and then 2 weeks after I get back from Florida I leave for Germany. I am honestly really lucky to get to go to Florida to meet them before Germany. I know not many au pairs meet their families in person until they are pretty much picked up at the airport. The host family and au pair really have to put a lot of trust into each other. It takes a lot to spend over $1000 on a plane ticket to live with a family you barely know, and its the same with the host family, they are putting trust into a girl they have never met to watch their child. My host family has nothing to worry about though! We've talked so much in the last few months, we know each other pretty well. I can't wait to meet their little boy and I can't wait to be his nanny this summer!
Once you get your passport and flight it really hits you- OMG! I'm doing this! Honestly it's the best feeling ever! I'm so grateful I had a job to pay for this trip...this trip wouldn't have even been possible without my job. My mother helped me a lot too with buying suitcases (2) and clothes clothes clothes!! I basically just got all new clothes...I know I'm spoiled. But I honestly just want to fit in and not look out of place. I paid for my plane ticket which cost me- $1070 and passport -$120....totally worth it though! By the way I booked through travelocity.com , I got a pretty good deal in my opinion!
Being an au pair isn't something you just decide to do in less than a month, it takes planning and time. You need plenty of time to save money..I mean of course you will be paid while over there. But I would not want to go to Germany without any money on me. I will miss my old job here in the states, but it's time to move onto bigger and better things. Being an au pair is something not everyone gets to do, so I am going to make the best of it!
If you are reading this and is interested in Germany or even being an Au Pair, just send me a message or comment and I will get back with you. I can give tons of advice!
Also join Toytown Germany on the internet and find your area that you may be visiting or living in Germany. It's a very useful website! I get on it a lot! I also joined a site called Interpals.net. It's a great penpal website full of other people wanting to get to know people from other countries. You might possibly find some friends there like I did.
All in all I think this will be a great experience for me! I can't wait for Germany and hopefully I will make a lot of new friends.
Remember if anyone reading this has any questions just let me know and I will try my best to answer them!
Auf Wiedersehen!
