Being an Au Pair helps you discover a new way of seeing your life.  The children literally change the way you see the world.  They teach you patience, listening, to stay calm, and you become more mature through your responsibilities.  It's also a sharing of knowledge, and a lot of fun.  You create each day with your children and help them to grow.  After three months with this family, I already know how much I will miss them when I have to leave.  Hearing their laughs brings much happiness to my day.  I love seeing them smile when they discover something, when they do activities or just when we pass time together.  At the beginning, it was hard to understand because the language difference. But finally I feel like we are learning English together (for the little one who is only two years old - lucky I love children's books!), and sometimes its Lily, four years old, who corrects my sentences!  I thought being an Au Pair in New Zealand would be challenging because of the distance (I've never been this far away from home before, and I don't think I could pick a country further from France!) but finally, being in New Zealand made my travels easier.  I feel I have this opportunity which will only happen once in my life, so I try to enjoy my stay as much as I can.  There's always something new to do, to be discovered, to visit (the fact I came in December, the summer season, probably helps).  And living only 20 minutes from the beach is totally new for me, really perfect for going out with Lily and Drew or learning to surf for the first time!

Au Pair Link was very helpful at the beginning because I was very lost with my research for being an Au Pair.  I didn't know how to choose a family, what sheets I would have to fill in - insurance?  visa?  Finally, I had to fill a lot of sheets to fill in with Au Pair Link.  The fact they had so many forms to fill out made me feel reassured, because I knew my future Host Family would also have to fill out forms too.  It was easier to talk to families when you knew from the beginning, they matched your request.  Once in New Zealand, the Orientation made me feel more comfortable and less lost in this new country.  They give you some great ideas, advice, and you can meet other Au Pairs... everything you need to enjoy your time. 

Now I'm in my family, Au Pair Link is still here for me.  Thanks to you, I've met other Au Pairs - and friendship is very important when you are far away from home!  The outings are a great way to discover New Zealand.  Each month, we have a meeting with an Au Pair Link team member, (in Tauranga it's Kimberlie) to give us support and help with new activity ideas for the children.  Au Pair Link help me in writing stories for the children, having a few rhymes to teach them - so I'm not limited, stuck playing basic games!  I feel very lucky to be here in this family and I'm very grateful for this Au Pair experience!

Manon