What inspired you to go abroad?
Experiencing life in one of the biggest and culturally rich cities in the world, Beijing.
Me and my friends in Shanghai.
Why did you choose Aupairia?
I compared the benefits and costs of many different programs to be an au pair in China and what Aupairia offered was matchless: the possibility of living with a Chinese host family while taking Mandarin classes at a renowned university at a very low cost.
What was your favorite part about Beijing?
Beijing really has it all, you can take the subway for a few stops and arrive at breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in a few more stops and you can visit the most important art galleries in the world. Youth culture and social life make every day stimulating and interesting.
What made your experience abroad unique?
The people I met through Aupairia, the University, or just walking down the street!
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff were extremely helpful. Never take for granted how easy they make your life in China, they will help you with every problem you have, small or big, from topping up your phone to explaining how the railway system works, making phone calls for you, taking you to hospital... thank you everyone at Aupairia from the bottom of my heart.
Me and Ada
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish I had used more of my free time to go over Chinese lessons.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
Mornings were used to go to University twice a week, on days that I didn't have class I explored Beijing neighborhoods and tourist spots or met up with friends to have lunch, go to coffee shops, go shopping, etc. I spent my afternoons and evenings with my host kid, helping with his homework, improving his language skills, and playing together. I used my off days for taking short trips.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
I had a lot of free time. I loved going to concerts, meeting up with friends, and traveling to other places in China such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Tianjin.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
The house's location couldn't have been more perfect. It was close to the Olympic Village. I loved that the subway station was right in the corner and it was very easy to go to almost every part of Beijing from there, especially the hutongs area, Sanlitun, and the student neighborhood.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
For good or bad, your experience will depend almost entirely on your host family, the amount of free time they give you, and how flexible they are—they will always take precedence and you will have to accommodate to their needs and schedule. However, don't be shy! You should always communicate your feelings to them and Aupairia.
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
It's hard to put in words, but in Beijing I learned better ways to take good care of myself and others. The Chinese culture showed me a different way to see the world and the future, and the importance of self-discipline and a daily routine to access all the possibilities that exist in life.
Would you recommend Aupairia to others? Why?
Yes, I would—being a bridge between a Chinese family and a young foreigner is no easy task, yet Aupairia manages to do so while providing assistance all along your journey, almost 24/7, with a well-rounded program. Plus, I would highly recommend having this kind of assistance when going to a country where you don't speak the language or are familiar with the way things work there, even more if it's your first time going to China or going abroad.
