What inspired you to work for Masons Au Pair?
What inspired me most to work for this company is definitely its attitude and its core values, which are the foundation of everything it does. The most important to me are care for others, mutual respect, and the commitment to giving everyone who joins the program an unforgettable experience that goes far beyond a simple study-abroad trip.
The people who work here are another big reason. During my time as an au pair, I saw how dedicated they all were to taking care of us, listening to us whenever we had difficulties, and helping us find solutions together. That care and support is exactly what I want to pass on to every new au pair who joins the program, from the first message to the day they go home.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
The advice I would give my past self before coming here is to never stop believing in what I am doing, even through the difficult moments. There were times when everything felt overwhelming, when I was far from home and unsure whether I had made the right choice, but those moments are exactly what helped me grow.
Above all, I would tell myself to be patient with the people around me. Every person comes from a different background and has a different way of communicating, and understanding that takes time and an open mind. Being patient, listening carefully, and trying to see things from the other person's point of view made all of my relationships stronger and my whole experience far richer.
au pair arrival
Describe a typical day at work.
The workday usually starts around 10 a.m., and the first thing we do is check the new emails and see who has filled out the forms. After that, we divide the profiles to contact among the team. Then we go over the goals for the day and put together our strategic plan.
Why do you do what you do?
I do it out of passion and a desire to help others start a new adventure!
What is your favorite part of your job?
Everything, I would say, from the selection of the au pair all the way to their return home.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My academic and international background helped me a lot in embarking on this "new life," so much so that I rely on my past experiences to do my job well every day.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Like in any job in the world, most of the time we deal with other people, so I would say the hardest part can be understanding people's needs and putting yourself in their shoes in order to find the right solution most of the time.
What are some current projects you are working on?
Lately, I've mainly been practicing understanding all the dynamics of the different aspects of the job.
panda base
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
Because for us, nothing is more important than people. They always come first, before anything else. It matters deeply to us that the people who decide to trust us to begin their journey as an au pair have an unforgettable experience, one where they can create a lasting bond with their host family and with this culture. We want them to feel welcomed, supported, and listened to at every step, from the very first message to the day they return home.
When someone places their trust in us, we take that responsibility seriously, because their happiness and growth are what truly matter to us. Behind every profile there is a real person with hopes, doubts, and dreams, and we never forget that.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to give young people the chance to live an unforgettable cultural experience in China, one that goes far beyond studying abroad, while always putting people first. We work toward it by listening carefully to every au pair and every host family, matching them thoughtfully based on personality and expectations, and supporting them at every stage, from the first conversation to the day they return home.
When difficulties come up, we face them together and look for solutions as one team. We believe that trust, respect, and care for others are the foundation of everything we do. Ultimately, our goal is for everyone to build a lasting bond with their family and with Chinese culture.
What makes your organization special?
At an au pair event
What makes our organization special is the way we put people first. We follow every au pair from the selection process all the way to their return home, listening carefully and helping them find solutions when difficulties come up. We also go beyond the placement itself: we organize cultural events in Chengdu, like mahjong, Chinese ink painting, seal carving, and Kung Fu workshops, so au pairs can truly experience Chinese traditions and meet other people in the community. Some of us have been au pairs ourselves, so we understand exactly what they feel. Every au pair is a unique story, never just a number. For us, this is never just a job; it is a passion, and we want every au pair to feel it.
What hopes do you have for the future of your organization?
My hope is that our organization keeps growing while staying true to its values. I would like to welcome more au pairs from different countries and help more families in China find the right match, always with the same care and attention. I also hope we can create more cultural events and a stronger community, where current and former au pairs stay connected and support each other.
Above all, I hope every person who joins our program leaves with an unforgettable experience, lasting friendships, and a deep understanding of Chinese culture, and that our reputation continues to grow thanks to their stories. I would love to keep learning, improving how we work, and growing together with my team.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope participants leave our program with much more than just a year abroad. First of all, a real understanding of the Chinese language and culture, learned by living every day with a host family. I also hope they gain independence, confidence, and the ability to adapt to new situations, because these skills stay with them for life.
Most of all, I hope they take home lasting bonds with their host family and the people they met, and memories they will carry forever. If someone finishes the program feeling more open-minded, more patient, and proud of the path they chose, then we have done our job. I also hope they return home with a new perspective on the world and a story they are proud to tell.
au pair event
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Traveling abroad and experiencing new cultures is important because it changes the way we see the world and ourselves. When you live in a different country, you learn that there are many ways of thinking, communicating, and solving problems, and this makes you more open-minded, respectful, and empathetic.
It also pushes you out of your comfort zone, helping you become more independent, resilient, and confident. You learn to adapt, to ask for help, and to build relationships across language barriers. In a world that is more connected than ever before, these skills are essential. Most importantly, living abroad shows us clearly how much we have in common with people who seem different from us.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is not about visiting famous places or taking perfect photos. It is about living inside a new culture, even if only for a while, and letting it change you. It means eating at the family table, learning a few words of the local language, making mistakes, and slowly understanding why people do things the way they do. It means building real and lasting relationships with the people you meet, not just passing through their lives.
Meaningful travel leaves you with new friends, new ways of thinking, and a much clearer idea of who you are. When you come home different from how you left, then the journey really mattered. My year as an au pair in China showed me exactly that.
