What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was looking to take a gap year between my undergraduate and Master’s studies, and going to China just made sense to me.
Although I grew up in Sweden and the UK, both of my parents are originally from China, so Chinese culture has always been a big part of my life. I already spoke Mandarin fairly well, loved cooking and eating Chinese food, and visited family in China whenever I could.
That said, I’d never really lived in China on my own or experienced life in a Chinese city independently. I was curious to find out what day-to-day life would feel like if I wasn’t just visiting. When I came across Wanderlust’s au pair programme in Shanghai, I felt it offered a rare chance to see a different side of China — one that was more authentic, intimate, and grounded in daily life.
Shanghai offers big-city energy and quiet streets like this when you need a slower pace.
Why did you choose Wanderlust Exchange?
After deciding that I wanted to au pair in China, I started comparing different agencies. Wanderlust Exchange appealed to me because they offered a three-month option, whereas most of the other agencies I found required a minimum six-month stay, which didn’t work for me time-wise.
Another key reason was how smooth and reassuring the application process was. My recruiter was very kind, responsive, and always available to answer my questions. I felt supported even before I arrived in China.
There are websites where you can contact host families directly, but for a first-time stay in China, I think going through an agency like Wanderlust is a much safer and less stressful choice. As a foreigner, you’re likely to run into challenges around things like VPNs, SIM cards, mobile payments, or registering for various services, and having the agency there to support you is incredibly helpful.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
My host family has two children — a seven-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy. I spent most of my time with the older child. Each day, I would pick her up from school, help her with her homework, and take her to extracurricular activities. When she had free time, we’d usually just chat or play together in English, or read books.
We’ve been making our way through all the Roald Dahl books and watching the film versions afterwards — something she really enjoys. With the younger child, I would play with him while introducing simple English words and phrases, usually while we were playing with his toy cars or doing hands-on activities.
They were both very sweet and funny, though like most kids, they had their moments! I’d say you really have to enjoy being around children to make the most of this experience — they’ll definitely test your patience sometimes, but they’ll also surprise you in the best ways.
Visiting my host family’s hometown in Xinchang, Zhejiang.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your programme before their programme begins?
If you’re not in a hurry, I’d really recommend taking your time during the host family selection process. Your overall experience will be shaped so much by the family you’re matched with, so it’s important to find one that feels like a good fit.
Try to ask detailed questions during the interviews — things like your daily routine, curfew, responsibilities, and how far the home is from the city centre. The more you clarify upfront, the fewer surprises there’ll be later on.
Once you’re in China, my biggest tip is to branch out socially beyond just the au pair network. Try to connect with locals or long-term expats too — they know the city inside and out and can help you discover the best cafés, restaurants, nightlife, and also warn you about tourist traps.
Those friendships can really enrich your experience and help the city feel more like home.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I sometimes joke that through this programme, I got a small preview of what being a young parent might feel like! Planning my day around someone else’s schedule, finding creative ways to motivate kids to do their homework, and trying to gently guide their behaviour — it taught me a lot.
One thing that really stood out to me was how easily influenced children are. That made me more aware of my own habits. I started trying not to waste food, to spend less time on my phone, and to read more, just so I could be a better role model.
On top of that, I gained practical skills like improving my Mandarin and navigating life in China — learning how to use apps like Didi and Taobao, making new friends, and feeling more confident in a new cultural environment.
