GoAbroad

Scotia Personnel Ltd

4.6 / 5Student rating
27Reviews
1Program

About Scotia Personnel Ltd

Scotia Personnel Ltd. is a Canadian company that has been in business for more than 30 years. Scotia Personnel, in cooperation with its overseas partners, offers a wide variety of personnel services, educational opportunities, job placements, and cultural exchange in Canada and beyond, including: • Work placement and educational studies programmes • Teaching English overseas • Tutoring English overseas • Summer camps working with children in the United States and some countries in Europe • Au pair placement opportunities for young people throughout the world • Overseas employment opportunities in the hotel hospitality field. We also offer job positions as private home childcare, elderly care, and daycare provider, and in-home care solutions for families.

Scotia Personnel Ltd Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Scotia Personnel Ltd

4.6
27 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
19
4
7
3
0
2
0
1
1

Top categories

Community
4.6
Living Situation
4.6
Host Company
4.5
Health & Safety
4.5
Compensation
4.3
Professional Development
4.3

Participated in a Scotia Personnel Ltd Program? Share your experience now.

Review this Provider
brooke ranieriCanada · June 2026
From: Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

The Most Incredible Company!

the most incredible company I have ever dealt with. the knowledge and care from the entire scotia personnel team is absolutely unmatched. If you are ever thinking of travelling abroad, this is the company you have to go through. take it from me, my first time Au Pairing i was 18, and had no clue what to expect. Here I am writing this at 29 with amazing experiences and lifelong friends from this journey. they make it extremely easy and remain kind, warm and friendly throughout the process. wish I could give them more than 5 stars because they changed my life!

Response from provider

Thank you for your kind words Brooke, we are happy you had a great experience and appreciated the care and support provided. It was a pleasure working with you.

Kaitlyn McCaughanCanada · February 2026
From: Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

An Amazing Year In California!

Thanks to Scotia Personnel I got to experience one of the best and most exciting years of my life living in California, USA! Richelle and Marilyn were so attentive and patient, and always available to answer any questions I had. They do such an amazing job making you feel taken care of and ready for whatever awaits you on this adventure. Would highly recommend them to anyone looking into these kind of opportunities!

Response from provider

Kaitlyn, we are glad to hear your experience Au pairing in America was a life changing one. It was a pleasure to work with you and we thank you for your kind words.

Breanne PheeCanada · January 2026
From: Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

Summer in Italy!

In October 2024, I learned about Scotia Personnel and the work they do to help young people like me travel the world. My name is Breanne P., and I am in my second year of university. Since I was young, I dreamed of travelling the world after I finished school. However, after learning about Scotia Personnel, my dream happened a lot sooner than expected. Last summer (May 2025), after Scotia Personnel helped me figure out all the logistics of my trip, I was able to fly from Canada to Italy and live there for three months. During these months I lived with a lovely family with a mother, father, 13-year-old son, and 11-year-old daughter. They also had two cats and a nanny who was so sweet. I was shown and told my responsibilities, mostly picking up and dropping off the kids at their functions and doing activities with them. We would go out to eat, go exploring, go to the park, or go dancing. On the weekends I would take the train and visit a different place in Italy. Sometimes I even went with the family to different places. I also had a week off, so during that time I decided to go to Paris in France and Barcelona in Spain. I made some wonderful friends there, connecting with other solo travelers when I was going places alone. My family was so sweet and it was so AMAZING! During the hours I was off, I would either meet with another au pair or hang out with some Italian friends I met there. During the whole trip I visited so many different places like Pisa, Florence, Rome, Cinque Terre, and more. Furthermore, I made so many great friends from all over the world: Africa, Sweden, the USA, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Amsterdam… And I had so many new experiences. It was one of the best decisions of my life, and I am so happy I did it!

Response from provider

Breanne thank you for sharing in such detail your experience in Italy. It is great to hear you made connections with others from all over the world!

Summer FedorCanada · May 2024
From: Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

2 years in America = 2 years of the best time ever!

I was an Au Pair with Au Pair in America in 2020-2022! Scotia Personnel helped me get connected, helped me with my profile, my visa application, and placement. Marilyn and Richelle were incredibly professional, encouraging, and insightful! I couldn’t have done this experience without their help and continuous support. I lived in Los Angeles, California as well as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ! I can’t believe I got to live in two very different states. Both experiences were so awesome. I loved the relationship I built with the kids and the family! I also made so many amazing friends from all over the world. If you’re looking to have the best abroad experience, I highly recommend using Scotia Personnel to accomplish your dreams !!

Photos

Samantha WilliamsCanada · August 2023
From: Canadian Work in Italy Program

Au Pair in America

I had such an amazing experience working with Scotia Personnel! I interviewed with them to become an Au Pair in America, and this experience has been the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I have Scotia Personnel to thank for it. They were so helpful, kind, and had exceptional communication throughout the whole process. They set me up with my Au Pair program, helped with my application, and gave great guidance on picking my host family. They took care of the entire visa process for me and made the whole experience of doing a cultural work exchange stress free! I cannot recommend them enough. Still to this day I’m in contact with Richelle and Marilyn from Scotia Personnel, they love hearing updates of how their au pairs are doing! Thank you Scotia Personnel!!

Hayley Molnar-PaulCanada · August 2023
From: Canadian Work in Italy Program

I had an incredible experience!!

Being an Au Pair in the states was a dream, it was the best thing that I needed to do for myself. I had an amazing time and experience. I loved my host family and where I was located. I extended longer and stayed an extra 9 months. It was the perfect amount of time because I knew I wanted to jump into education and start school. I'm grateful for every moment and for my American family. Scotia Personnel was an absolutely amazing company to work with for having been my first time in the program for wanting to be an Au Pair. The whole team , but especially Richelle and Marilyn have been beyond amazing. My whole process of becoming an Au Pair was so easy and non stressful because they helped me with everything from getting my visa to the paperwork and answering any questions that I had. They are very professional and easy to speak to. Having that communication was great. My entire experience was terrific and I loved every part of the program and people. Thanks to the Scotia Personnel team. I'll recommend them every time!! -Hayley

Holly CarterCanada · July 2023
From: Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

2 years in England as a chef

Scotia Personnel helped me travel to England in 2018, where I stayed for 2 years. They made the process so easy, from helping with the visa, paperwork and finding a job, to moral support through the process. All the staff I worked with were so friendly kind and helpful. It really made the process so much easier and took the fear out of it. They also set me up with a life changing experience. I was 19 when I went, and taking a job abroad, learning about other cultures and traveling the world has forever changed my life. It was an enlightening experience and gave me a level of independence like no other. Not to mention memories that will last me a lifetime. If you are debating on taking on this process, I strongly encourage you to do so, it will change your life forever, in a way no one can take from you. This is your time, and Scotia Personnel is a great first step towards it.

Gabriella AlFarkhCanada · July 2023
From: Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

Can't thank them enough ♡

I went through Scotia Personnel to come to the UK on a hospitality program, and both Marilyn and Rochelle were so helpful and kind through everything! I had a lot of worry about moving overseas and starting a whole new job, getting a visa and going through all of the processes of temporary immigration. Having the guidance and step by step help from Rochelle was a lifesaver when it came to the visa and bank issues I had. And Marilyn is absolutely the sweetest, checking in on me and making sure my move was as seamless as it could have been. Any time I had a question even while being in the UK, I knew I could have contacted them and they would have helped me out immediately. Just a few months ago while I was at the hotel I'm working at, Marilyn actually came for a visit and she was just lovely, we got to chat about my experience and she offered to help me in any future endeavors. I csnt recommend them enough! I have gone through other agencies before like this, but we're nowhere near the level of professional Scotia Personnel was. Anywhere else I want to go, I'd definitrly want to go through them. I got to travel so much as well during my time here, I've seen so many countries and met so many people, without Scotia none of that would have happened. ♡♡♡ cannot thank them enough.

Kendall NestorCanada · November 2022
From: Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

Wonderful Experience with a Supportive Agency

I went through Scotia Personnel to au pair with Au Pair in America. Richelle and Marilyn were unbelievably supportive and helpful throughout the entire application process and continued to check in with me while I was in my au pair year in New York City, making sure that everything was going well and that I had everything I needed. Scotia Personnel made sure to provide me with all the information and resources I needed to make sure that my time as an au pair was seamless and enjoyable. Since returning home from au pairing, Scotia Personnel has continued to reach out to me with new and exciting opportunities and has now facilitated my getting a nanny job in a new city. I am so thankful for the opportunities that they have provided me with and for all the love and support I have received from Richelle and Marilyn along the way. Without a shadow of a doubt, I would recommend anyone interested in work and travel opportunities to go through Scotia Personnel.

Amilie LavoieCanada · October 2022
From: Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

Amazing agency and wonderful country

Hello ! I met Scotia-Personnel online in 2014. At that time, I decided to do an other program(Aupair in America) with them. Which I did. I really liked the communication, the help and the professionalism from Scotia. Thats why in 2019 I decided to contact again Scotia to go abroad again with their help but to go to England this time! I didnt know about it before I went, but I realized quickly how amaziiing it is. The people, the culture, the words, the habits, the tea, the biscuits, the love of dogs of everybody there !! It was so far my best experience ever to leave Canada and go to UK. Of course it was good for me because I did learn so much more about the language. I am from Québec-Canada and I speak french as my mother tongue, and I went for few months in USA, so its quite interesting to see the difference with those 2 countries. (By the way, everyone loves Canadians!!!) Also, being in Europe open your mind on more than our huge continent. I am right now done with that program of 2years, and I am writing that from Italy. I am about to do an other adventure with Scotia, thats why I recommend so far England with them !!! for the people, and for the teas !! :) Amilie

Photos

Gloria PooreCanada · September 2022
From: Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

Scam! Stay away!!

My husband and I applied probably 7 years ago. I was going to be an au-pair and he was going to work in the culinary sector. They took the non refundable deposit of $700 from each of us. They said they would contact us in January with our placements and I never heard from them again. Please don't trust them

Response from provider

Dear Gloria, Thank you for sharing your feedback; we were sorry to hear that your experience did not match your expectations. Our company has been in business for over 35 years, and we strive to provide excellent service and satisfaction for everyone involved. It may be helpful to provide a recap – you and your boyfriend had applied to seek positions in the UK for fall 2016. At the time of application, you were both unmarried. As you were aware, as an unmarried au pair, you would be staying with a host family; and your boyfriend was applying for hospitality, where his single-person accommodation would be provided by his employer in the UK. In other words, you both would have been staying at separate workplaces. Following your application and acceptance, your boyfriend advised us that you were thinking about getting married. It was explained that this would not be an optimal situation (as you both would have separate workplaces and separate accommodations). It was suggested that you wait until after your UK stays were completed; however, the decision was made to go ahead and get married. While this was completely your choice, it created potential complications that were discussed at the time. In the summer of 2016, your timeframe of availability had changed, and you were going to contact us again in January 2017. As we did not hear from you, we tried to reach you, but unfortunately without luck. We had not received further contact from you to date. Our goal is to make sure each person’s experience is the best possible, and we take all reviews seriously for ongoing improvement.

Karleen reynoldsCanada · May 2020
From: Canadian Work in Italy Program

Incredible

Scotia Personnel selected a lovely Italian family for me to AuPair with. For starters, I met them in France at their beachfront summer home. The family treated me very well and gave me a weekly stiped of 100 Euros. I spent most days hanging out with them on the beach, participating in outdoor activities, reading with my host brother and engaging him in conversational English. After spending a few weeks in France, we then drove to their scenic home near Lake Como, in Italy. Throughout my experience in Italy and France, Scotia Personnel checked in with me to make sure that I was happy. My host family gave me free time on the weekends to explore other cities in Italy. I took the train to neighbouring cities like Milan. Overall, my experience was amazing and I am so thankful for Scotia Personnel and their professionalism every step of the way. Going abroad can be daunting, that's why you need expert companies like Scotia Personnel to help make your experience seamless and unforgettable. Go to Italy you won't regret it! Shout out to Marilyn and Richelle!

Jolene KingCanada · December 2019
From: Canadian Work in Italy Program

Tutoring in Italy

In January 2019 I went on a journey that changed my life forever. I lived in Milan, Italy for three months, tutoring English as a Second language to a small Italian family, and living in the family home. The host agency that helped me find my family, and connected me with other tutors and au pairs in Italy is called Scotia Personnel. They work with a Italian Organization called Celtic Childcare to create opportunities for people wishing to work in Italy. Scotia Personnel has a variety of global partners and with Scotia Personnel's assistance, you can have the opportunity to work in a variety of countries all over the globe, including Japan, China, Australia, England, and of course Italy. My host family introduced me to a brand new world. I am from small-town Newfoundland and Labrador. They lived in a big house in the very large city of Milan, Italy. Milan in itself has more people living there than the entirety of Newfoundland. In many ways, the large, both modern and agent cities in Italy such as Rome, and Milan were a culture shock for me. In Italy, I reached one of my childhood dreams of going to Venice. Venice was breathtaking. Venice to me felt like entering a fantasy, but as I walked the city I realized that it was a real-a real place with real people, and somehow that made the experience even more mindblowing. Overall I would consider teaming up with Scotia Personnel again. My only complaints about them are honestly-they could be so busy that sometimes your conversations with them felt rushed. However, they have dedicated staff, great global partners and they have the ability to help you work all over the globe. Without them, I would never have taken the leap to go-and I am so glad I did. They offered me the opportunity to work in China after I was finished in Italy, but I missed my family so much I knew I needed to get back to Newfoundland. Now-the urge to travel is sweeping over me again, and with my boyfriend deciding to embark on this new journey with me-I have no idea where the world might take us-but I have no doubt that I will consider working with Scotia Personnel as a potential host agency in the future.

Hailey TobinCanada · October 2019
From: Teach in China following a Canadian Curriculum

Wonderful and exciting time!

Hi I am Hailey, I am 23 from Canada and I want to tell you about my experiences in 2018 and 2019 working with Scotia Personnel. I started last year when I went to the Netherlands first and then I went to Italy. I was an au pair and I made great connections with people, I made so many friends, it was a wonderful experience there so I thought it'd be great to continue working with them. So I then joined the China program and I was in China for about almost 10 months. I started January and I just got home October 6th and the whole time it was amazing and new. I went through all the recommendations for picking up proper host family and I found the best one for me. I could I truly love them and I continue to stay connected with them, and I plan on going to Australia with them too because we created such an excellent relationship in China. And if your idea is to build relationships and bonds that will last a long time and then you should choose Scotia Personnel because not only do you get to work with great people but you get great friends along the way…. you meet them, you talk to them, you share stories. I am still messaging with them in China, because it's still nice talking, sending them photos, catching up the exact same way I would with my friends back in Canada. So I definitely give them as many stars as possible because they are great and they truly care about their job, to make sure our experience is wonderful and wholesome so I hope you join their team and continue travelling cuz it be lovely to meet you along the way. You always meet new Au Pairs and I made friends from England, America, Germany as well as in China… there so many people in the program that are from different countries but we're been brought together the same reason, to make friends to learn more see the world. So good luck travelling in the future and hope to meet you on the road!

Photos

Olivia WardCanada · October 2019
From: Canadian Work in Italy Program

3 months in the province of Macerata!

This past year in the race of trying to find a summer job I stumbled upon Scotia Personnel on my university's job listing site. The job listed was an international Au-pair/ English Tutor and I knew that I wanted to go to Italy, but I didn’t know how I would make it happen. I applied anyway and I received a call. From there, everything was explained to me clearly and professionally. Scotia Personnel helped me realize that it was beyond possible for me to go! So, with all the program information in mind, I decided that I would go. When it was time for me to pick a family, they made sure that the families I chose from were safe and fit well for me. Through them, I found a wonderful family that I stayed with for 3 months in a small medieval town called Sarnano (near Ancona). It was amazing! We went to Rome, Tivoli, Florence, and Turin. By myself, I traveled to Milan, Bologna and even Ibiza in Spain! I learned so much Italian while I was in Italy, I went with a basic understanding of Italian and expanded my knowledge far beyond what I ever thought I would learn! Now I can read books and watch shows in Italian with little difficultly which feels amazing as I’ve been monolingual for most of my life. While I was away, Scotia Personnel checked up on me every so often to see if I was doing well and that I was happy. I’m so glad that I au-paired through them because they provided me another level of support that’s necessary when traveling abroad. Thank you so much Scotia Personnel!

Photos

Emily SeverinCanada · September 2019

Best summer of my life!

I worked at a summer camp for kids as a camp coach, with the help from Scotia personal. The camp had international and local kids, some learnt English and did activities and some did activities all day. We also had excursions every Wednesday and some Saturdays where I was paid to go look at castles and tour London with the kids; I even got paid to go to a theme park! I made a ton of friends - both Canadian and English- and experienced cultures from around the world through the kids I took care of. On my days off I travelled the uk with newly made friends, exploring places like the white cliffs of Dover, London, Canterbury, and beaches where I swam in the sea. I definitely plan on going back next summer!

Photos

Jasmin HowattCanada · March 2019
From: Teach in China following a Canadian Curriculum

Experience of a life time

Au pairing for Scotia Personnel is the best experiences I have ever had, it has one hundred percent changed my life in the best way. I was an au pair in America and in China, they were both completely different experiences and it taught be so much about travelling, children, culture and it even taught be things about myself that I didn't know. Being in the United States was a great experience, I lived in Michigan and was an au pair. You create a bond with the children and being with them 45 hours a week your really connecting with them, I would take the boys to the park, do crafts with them, bake with them, and play lots of fun games. In the USA you're introduced to friends right away, and the friendship that you create with these other girls is on tha you will have forever, one of my best friends lives in Germany and we met in Michigan and we still talk everyday. In China I was an english tutor, I would be with my little girl Pudding 25 hours a week, we would study english, play games, bake, play outside, and much more. In China you take mandarin classes two days a week which is also a great way to meet other au pairs, and there is activities once of twice a month where all the au pairs in your district get together. When I got to China I landed in Shanghai and then drove to Hangzhou, which is were orientation was, and explored and met new friends and it was just a great first couple days in China. When I was in China I got to travel to an island called Sanya with my host family, it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. When people talk about going to China they always say ‘what about the food?’ the food was amazing, since I have returned back to Canada I have been craving real chinese food. For me China was amazing and I would go back in a heartbeat, my host parents were so caring and so loving, when I had to say bye to my hostchild it was so hard cause I was so close with her, I still talk to my host family often. Traveling and working with children was one of the best things I have ever done. I was planning on going to university for Marine Biology, once I got home from these trips I realized that I wanted to teach elementary school in a different country. In September I am going to school for Early Childhood Education, and after school I hope to get a job teaching in at a Kindergarten in China.

Emma PhilebrownCanada · January 2019
From: Teach in China following a Canadian Curriculum

Valued experience

I enjoyed the trip and had amazing time. The different places to explore and experience the culture was amazing! I tried new foods and went to see new sights. The friends you will make will stay with you and the memories will last forever.

Josee MarleauCanada · January 2019
From: Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

Great opportunity!

I have working with this agency for two years now, I have enjoyed my trip, and all the experiences I was able to have. The different places I was able to see and explore were amazing. Also, all the different the people I got to meet, i got to make life long friends which was really amazing.

Luc CooperCanada · January 2019
From: Teach in China following a Canadian Curriculum

Best way to travel

Scotia Personnel allowed me to travel the world and live in places I never thought I would get to experience. I've had the opportunity to live in France and China and I've made friends from around the world as well as have experiences that I'll never forget.

Scotia Personnel Ltd Programs

Browse programs you might like

Scotia Personnel Ltd

4.4

10 reviews

Exploring Hospitality & Culinary: Work in UK Hotels

Looking to travel but also advance your career? We help hundreds of Canadians each year find positions across the UK. Exploring Europe's culina...

Get in Touch

Contact Scotia Personnel Ltd

Have a question? Send us a message and the Scotia Personnel Ltd team will get back to you.

Step 1 of 5Program

Which program are you interested in?

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

IAPA - International Au Pair Association

Have more questions?

We're here to help!

The GoAbroad team is here to support you as you choose the best program for you, and Scotia Personnel Ltd is also happy to answer any questions you have.

Trusted by millions of travelers worldwide since 1997