What inspired you to go abroad?
Traveling has always been something on my bucket list, for my own personal development and education. And now that I've finished up with university, it was time to have a crack.
Why did you choose an Aupairia program in Beijing?
It provided an appropriate amount of support in terms of settling in and answering any queries I may have had. As a first time solo traveler, this was extremely valuable to me because of my inexperience. Beyond that, I really wanted to experience China, and this program really immerses their participants into the local culture, cuisine, and language.
What was your favorite part about Beijing?
The challenge of learning the language and trying to communicate with others, as well as the infrastructure and culture.
What made your experience abroad unique?
I got to spend three months with a family who fed me a very traditional Southern Chinese diet, while getting to attend university where I learned Mandarin— I think I wasn't half bad by the end!
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
They constantly checked in on me, made sure all my questions were answered promptly, helped me in setting up accounts for various apps/services, and also with any issues I faced. They were just constantly available for support.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I would have loved to have spoken to more locals so I could make more local friends, and I would get involved and experience the local tech startup scene if I could do it again.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
The day would start with breakfast, followed by several hours exploring the city with friends, going to the gym, etc. I would pick up the host kid in the afternoon and play with him for perhaps an hour before dinner. Then he was off to an extracurricular class, where I was free to do whatever I wanted at home. There would be maybe an hour of homework tutoring when he came back from his class, and then I was free for the rest of the night.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
Spending time with friends, exploring the city, taking photos, and going to the gym.
Huashan
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
It had everything I could want and was extremely comfortable. I loved the air conditioning and having my own bathroom— super handy!
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Be ready to forget everything you think you know about how society works.
What was the hardest part about your time in China?
The most difficult element of my time in China was definitely communication. By the second month I had learned a functional amount of Chinese and it was becoming much easier to navigate in stores and just in general.
How difficult was it to communicate with locals?
The number of people that speak a functional level of English is definitely on the lower end of the spectrum. Younger people tended to have a greater chance of speaking English, but even then it was challenging given the amount of English they may know.
Generally, the locals have a higher level of reading and writing compared to their conversational skills, due to the lack of practice they have had. That being said, with some patience, and some Google translate, I didn't have too difficult a time getting the message across. And once I had learned a little Chinese, my quality of life increased immensely.
What surprised you most about it?
I definitely didn't anticipate it how cheap everything would be! Everything from Ubers and food, to the share-bike system and subway tickets were dirt cheap compared to Australia. It was surprising how far a little money got you so long as you were savvy about it, especially when you can haggle down the price on many things.
What is one thing you wish you would have known before au paired abroad in China?
To have done my research on what apps I would need before getting there. Sometimes the virtual private network (VPN) could be a little challenging and as an android user, accessing the Google Play store was sometimes a hassle.
Had I done my research beforehand, it would have made the beginning very easy. Also, I definitely should have read the Beijing and China subreddits for some contextual information.
Shanghai
If you could volunteer/work abroad again, where would you go?
Japan would probably be quite high on my list, alongside a few other places such as Hong Kong, the UAE, and San Francisco.
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
It's benefited me personally in that I've learned a lot more about myself as an individual. I also view my own city and way of life differently because of the huge culture difference.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of volunteering/working abroad is?
I definitely think the biggest pro to volunteering/working abroad is the personal development and growth that you experience. Your confidence grows immensely due to being pushed outside your comfort zone and it's something you don't pick up from a university degree.
Would you recommend Aupairia to others? Why?
Yes— it will help your personal development immensely.
