LoPair EduCare: Fully Funded Cultural Homestay in China

I really enjoyed my time in Hangzhou with LoPair. I definitely felt I was part of a big lopair family, and was welcomed into my host family. LoPair offer two mandarin classes a week, which is a great time to catch up and learn with the other aupairs. The company also offers great advice on places to go in the city, and my local coordinator was very helpful! I had an issue with my first host-family, however this was resolved and I was well supported throughout the programme. I would recommend to anyone looking at families with this company to be fussy and ask lots of questions! Be happy before you fly off! Overall, a great company. There is the option to experience the home city and the culture through a monthly culture class. I loved living with a Chinese family, as it was a unique insight into Chinese food and their ethos. Highly recommended.

I would say that my personal experience with this program in China was mainly just okay. Living with one host family for 6 weeks can get a little difficult sometimes. My host family had two daughters and the youngest daughter was definitely not easy to live with due to her behavior a lot of the times, which made it hard for me to enjoy being an au pair for the family. Additionally, due to how much time you are required to spend in the home and tutor English (and sometimes for children that are more on the defiant side), it can affect your enthusiasm and how much effort you put into tutoring really quickly. At least that was the case for me. Although, my host parents were very easy going and did not put too much pressure on me to rapidly improve their children's English which made my time in their home a little more bearable. They also covered all of my meals, room and board, etc. whenever I was with them (including when they took me along on their family trips) so I am really appreciative of that. I wasn't able to explore China as much as I had hoped but I'm still thankful for all that I did get to see and do. During my 6 weeks in China, Lopair only offered one cultural activity class which I wasn't able to attend so I hope that they provide more in the future for incoming aupairs. Overall, my experience with this program was okay although I wouldn't do it again. However, anyone interested in going to China can definitely give this program a try because everyone's experience is different. Note: the LoPair staff are extremely responsive and great at assisting you if you have any questions or concerns. Kerry is really helpful with giving you advice on English tutoring and our group's local coordinator Yvonne always tried her best to help you if you encountered any struggles with the family or anything.

I have just finished the 6 week Lopair Summer Educare programme in Shanghai. My host family was amazing, making me feel welcome at all times and allowing me to experience Chinese culture first hand. I was able to try an enormous variety of delicious Chinese cuisine both at home and outside. I enjoyed helping my host kid improve her English which I feel was an experience that was beneficial to us both. On top of this, the included Mandarin lessons made the programme even more valuable as I was able to improve my Chinese and meet new people. There is plenty of opportunity to make friends, whether it be within your lessons or the various culture classes and Lopair also helps to bring different au pairs together. In fact, the whole Lopair team was great, especially my local coordinator, Yvonne, who was so friendly and always there to provide support. Kerry was also very helpful, providing me with useful English teaching tips! The people you meet and the memories you make will ensure your au pairing experience in China is one you will never forget and Lopair will guide you all the way!