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Mind Body Colleen

Future Au Pair’s Guide – From Where to Go to How to Picking the Family

colgrady| Blog+ Lifestyle+ Travel

Future Au Pair’s Guide – From Where to Go to How to Picking the Family

If you have dreamed about living abroad but are unsure of how to get a visa or what to do for work, becoming an au pair is one of the easiest ways to spend time overseas.  Being an au pair offers an opportunity for cultural immersion, travel, and personal growth. A typical au pair is a live-in child care provider, but the duties can this signifies a range of things so maybe add a few options such as: personal assisting, day to day child care, after-school care, English language lessons and potentially cooking and cleaning depending on the needs of the family. I was an au pair in Belgium for 8 months after graduating from college. Here is my guide on finding a location, how to get a job, and what to ask a prospective family. 



Where to go

Picking a location is one of the most important parts of the process. In retrospect, I wish I was more calculated in choosing my location.  Do your research on the country and culture before taking any positions. I did not pick a country that jived with me or my interest. If you are not set on a particular place already, here are some things to think about while scouting out your location.  

 

Are you close to a university or big city? Au pairing can get lonely therefore you want to be able to find other young people to befriend in the area. If you are in Europe, search if there is an Eramus program nearby. Eramus is the European study abroad program so there will be many international students in those cities. 

 

What is the country’s ranking among expats? Not looking into this topic was one of my biggest mistakes. Life as an expat is already a major challenge on its own and some countries are more foreigner friendly than others. I recommend heavily researching what expats say on common experiences immersing in that specific new culture. 

 

How strong is the currency? This is an important question if you plan to primarily travel with the money you will be earning. For example, the Euro is much stronger than the Hungarian Forints. You would most likely be able to travel further and longer on a Euro salary versus a weaker currency’s salary. 

 

How often will language barriers be faced? If you do not plan to learn the native language of the country you are living in, it is important to research how common your spoken language will be available.

Finding a Family

Au Pair World – On this platform you create a profile and it helps to match you with families across the world based on each other’s specific wants and needs. You can browse profiles based on country, number of children, accommodation offering etc. This is the most popular resource and what I used to find my family. 

Workaway.info – This website is used for work exchange jobs around the world. This is not specific to au pairing but some families do create postings for short term gigs from child care to gardening to housework. You can sometimes find paid work on this platform but most of the postings are work exchanges. 

Facebook Groups – If you search on Facebook the country you are wanting to visit + “au pair” you will most likely find a group that is filled with families looking for au pairs. If you are looking to be in a big city, it may have it’s own facebook group for au pairs. Here you can browse through postings or create your own post explaining that you are looking for work and connections in the area. In addition to this being a resource for job postings, it can be used to find fellow au pairs in the area. 

What to Look For in a Family 

If you have personal wants and needs, know that going into the search and communicate it with potential host families. There does not have to be a specification for all of these things. Yet, it is best to have clarity on all of these topics beforehand so there are no surprises upon arrival. 

  • Number of Children
  • Age of Children
  • Gender of Children
  • Duties Expected
  • Visa Sponsorship 
  • Salary
  • Hours 
  • Accommodation Offered + photos
  • Transportation Available
  • Time Off
  • Social Opportunities in the Area 
  • Longevity of Commitment 
  • History with Previous Au Pairs

Interviewing with the Family

In addition to the logistical points above, there are many personal points you should discuss with the family. Afterall, you are moving thousands of miles away to live with a foreign family so it is vital to make sure you connect and build common ground before getting there.

I recommend having a few skype interviews with the entire family. Be very aware and sensitive to all interactions in the interview. You need to make sure there is chemistry and understandable level of communication. 

My family had many au pairs before me. They already had an interviewing process. We had questionnaires, sent each other photos of our families, daily life, and homes. Then we scheduled a couple of Skypes to get to know each other. 

If the family has had au pairs previously ask them to be connected with them. I had a skype and shared many text with the au pair before me. It gave me a clearer idea of the job and family. 

Ideas of questions to ask: 

  • What does a typical weekend look like? 
  • Can your specific dietary restrictions be accommodated? 
  • Do they want to be apart of the family or just an employee? 
  • What actions would cause termination from the position? 
  • What role does religion play in the family life? 
  • What do people your age do for fun in that area? 
  • Are you allowed to have friends over? 
  • What does “family time” consist of? 
  • What are the expectations from you personally and as a caretaker?

By following these steps, you are bound to land a job as an au pair. You should be proud of yourself for having the confidence to explore new cultures and places. If you are interested in learning more about the job and my experiences click here to read What They Don’t Tell You About Being an Au Pair. Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions on how to navigate this process. 

You can’t be the light of the world if you can’t pay your electricity bill. ⁣⁣⚡️
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How many yoga teachers out there feel this? I definitely did when I was a yoga teacher… but when I became a yoga entrepreneur things started to change… my finances, my confidence, my organization, etc, etc.  ⁣⁣
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Just think of the energetics of when someone introduces you, “oh she is a yoga teacher” or “oh she is a yoga entrepreneur”. When you hear an entrepreneur the spine straightens up a little more and you may breathe deeper into your belly.  ⁣⁣
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Here are 4 things that must dramatically shift when you are going from a yoga teacher to a yoga entrepreneur - ⁣⁣
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Mindset: When you see yourself as a professional business owner The way you carry yourself changes. The way you communicate and behave changes. How you chose opportunities will change. For example as an entrepreneur, you are not going to say yes to every opportunity that arises you are going to say yes to the ones that benefit and grow your business.⁣⁣
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Owning Your Value: It’s time to start deeply believing in the value of what you offer and start confidently asking for it. If you don’t truly believe that your gifts and services are worthy of your asking rate then why would anyone want to pay you for them?⁣⁣
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A Personal Brand: It’s time to create a name for yourself in the wellness industry with the platforms and socials to back you up. It has built my credibility, visibility, and reputation in the wellness world. ⁣⁣
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A Business Plan: There needs to be some clarity and strategy behind all the choices you make and the opportunities you take. Without it, you are just throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. Have you heard that phrase before?⁣⁣ 
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If your ready to level up and you need some help laying the groundwork for your business plan - I’ve got you covered. ⁣⁣
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I just created a Wellness Entrepreneur Workbook with everything to finally get your business off the ground. #linkinbio for your complimentary copy. 👼🏼🌸😚
Self care is health care...⁣ ⁣ I am a FIRM bel Self care is health care...⁣
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I am a FIRM believer that we need to actively nourish yourselves, honor your boundaries and needs, AND take time to depressurize and rest. ⁣
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Because when you neglect doing these things - they start to add up. And the body doesn't forget... anything. ⁣
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Your mind may be able to skip over it but lack of care will start to manifest as chronic pain, disease, headaches, fatigue, disorder, etc.⁣
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So take care of yourself this weekend & do something that makes you feel FULL.⁣
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I love nourishing myself with this all-natural facemask from @leoranatural. The acne facemask lessened the redness of my breakouts & left my skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated.🌈👼🏼🌸
Do you feel like you spend your days using your gi Do you feel like you spend your days using your gifts?⁣
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This question stopped me in my tracks. It is what made my yoga career pivot into becoming a creative. ⁣
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Actually, the first time I knew I need to do something in the creative industry was when I was in India 2 years ago. In a short time, there were a number of things that happened that really gave me this insight.⁣
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* My teacher gifted me the spiritual name Shakti Devi - Goddess of Creativity. Hence: why my biz is called Studio Shakti. ⁣
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* My roommate in my ashram told me how much of an artist I was and I cried because I was so deeply touched.⁣
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* Someone else asked me what I studied in university and when I said health edu they said really...? I would have guessed something like advertising or interior design.⁣
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I was getting the feedback that everyone was seeing me & praising me for my gifts of creativity. The only person not honoring that in myself was me...⁣
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It wasn't until a year later did I get serious about starting my creative business. And in the beginning stages, I fought a lot of internal battles allowing me to see myself as a PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE.⁣
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But creativity is it is one of my biggest gifts along with intuition, my skills of observation, listening, problem-solving, making people feel seen.⁣
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It makes me feel really fulfilled running a branding and web design business that uses all of them while still working in the yoga and wellness industry.⁣
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Also the book The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope is profound read to help uncover your gifts. It was a key resource along my journey. 🌈🌸📿
This last week has been up there for one of the mo This last week has been up there for one of the most stressful and overwhelming weeks of the year for me. So I have not had the headspace to really process, seal the chapter, and vision cast for the new year. But I have been thinking of 5 things I want for myself in the new year. 🤍⁣⁣
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1. Practice each morning before checking my phone. ⁣⁣
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2. Confidently charge my rates and value in my business. ⁣⁣
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3. Stop picking at my skin. ⁣⁣
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4. Find more ways to be generous.⁣⁣
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5. Fearlessly show up and speak up as my true self. ⁣⁣
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NOTE: These AREN’T my proper goals & visions. 🙈 These are way TOO rough…. They’re not actionable, desire led, or measurable. ⁣⁣
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IF your goals sound kinda like this let me help you sharpen them, making them more clear, manageable, heartfelt, and pointed toward a real result. ⁣⁣
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TOMORROW is my Visionary’s Blueprint Workshop! We are going to be creating VISION BOARDS & ACTIONABLE GOALS & finding our CORE DESIRES for ourselves next year. ⁣📝☁️⁣
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Let's step into the year with a clear vision & structured blueprint of how to get there. ⁣⁣
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Limited spaces are available. Link in bio to join 🌈🦋🕊⁣
8 days later I came out of my Kundalini cocoon. I 8 days later I came out of my Kundalini cocoon. I am 2/3 modules complete in doing a 200hr kundalini yoga teacher training.⁣ 🕊🌿
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I am sorry guys I can't ever shut up about kundalini but it's such a powerful and potent practice that has given me rapid results of personal transformation. And I love it so much I tear up when I really get talking about it from how grateful and deeply moved I am by this practice.⁣
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Here are some unique things I especially love about it:⁣
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• You chose the same meditations, pranayama, kriyas, and mantra and commitment to this set for 40 days. After 40 days you can add in something new or adjust. This is so you build a relationship and depth to your practice. — excuse me where was this in any other yoga formats. ⁣
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• You're working with your energy systems and the subconscious mind to wipe your slate clean and unhook all the negative patterns that hold you back from being and living in your true self. ⁣
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• It's a philosophy where healing is just a straight charge forward. If you want things to change and traumas to heal just keep your focus on your practice. It is not a place to wallow in your own shit, you don't need to make it bigger by constantly sending more energy and focus to all the bad things that have ever happened to you.⁣
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• It a high-speed practice. Results come your way fast and in ways you probably did not imagine.⁣
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• It brings a ton of clarity and creativity to your life. Your nervous system and energetic bodies are constantly being expanded and repatterned in Kundalini yoga. This allows you to make new neural pathways and open up parts of yourself and new sensitivities that previously were turned off. ⁣
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🤯🤯🤯 it’s the fitness of the future ya’ll. ⁣🧘🏼‍♀️🦋🌈
You probably already know this but if you don't... You probably already know this but if you don't....⁣
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My next Visionary's Blueprint workshop is Jan 2nd! & here's how it will go 👇🏼⁣
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In this workshop, we wrap up 2020. Together we will reflect on our pivotal moments, highlights, and growth. We will admire how far we have come and then finally sign off once and for all.⁣
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Next, we will start digging a little deeper to ask ourselves what we really want to experience, feel, grow, and achieve with the fresh slate of 2021. Through this process, we will create the aim for the new year and new you.⁣
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Once we have a clear direction and goals we will create the vision board to remind us of the person we are going to become this year. I will teach you how to create a vision board for your computer desktop and mobile home screen. Your visions will be plastered on the place you look most, so you will not forget how you are going to show up this year.⁣
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Saturday January, 2nd 2021⁣
CST 5:30 PM⁣
PST 3:30 PM⁣
EST 6:30 PM⁣
Bali 7:30 AM (Sunday 3rd)⁣
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LINK IN BIO TO REGISTER 🦋🌿🌈

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