Learning through Living Together – LoPair Au Pair China

It’s hard to describe with words this experience but I will do my best to share with you my feelings about it. It was my first time as an au pair and I couldn’t have lived a better experience than that. My host family was amazing. Even if I couldn’t communicate much with the parents because they couldn’t speak any English and my Chinese wasn’t better, I could feel how generous and supportive they were. I learned so much about the Chinese culture with them and their daughter and I always felt at home. It’s crazy to think that people that you never met before, that doesn’t share the same culture and language can at the end become your friend or family. It was very challenging to live in such a different culture but amazing for personal growth. I also discovered a real passion for Chinese painting and Chinese calligraphy. I had one lesson per week with a private teacher and we had such a great time sharing each other culture. Because my au pair program with LoPair was also that, discovering the culture together. We did many activities with the other au pairs and Mickey from LoPair to experience the Chinese culture. I would say that the highlights of my journey as an au pair in China were : - My host parents and their daughter who were such generous and amazing people - My calligraphy and Chinese painting classes with an incredible teacher - All the encounters I had, both with the other au pairs and with Chinese friends I will never forget this experience, I wish for everyone to be this lucky and to discover this amazing culture like I did.

I have been an au pair in Shanghai for almost 6 months and I chose to extend for 4 more. Shanghai is a great city with lots of places to explore and fun things to do! My host family is the best I could've wish for. They helped me settle in and they made me part of the family! I have a great relationship with my host kids and we always do some fun activities together. The mandarin school was cool and the teachers were great, they helped me improve my Chinese a lot! LoPair's staff is very friendly and they answered all my questions in a short time. I would totally recommend this experience because it's a good way to experience a country and a culture so different from what we are used to. It made me grow a lot as a person!

I am happy to be a part of the LoPair-Hangzhou Community! They gave their best to make my experience here very good. They matched me with a family that I love and that I feel bad for leaving. I definitely want to come back. The school was also good! My teacher was very nice. Some of my friends were not as happy as I was with the family but LoPair gave everything in their power to make it a good experience.