As an agency specializing in cultural exchanges and au pair placements, we are delighted to share the enriching experience of Aleksander, a 29-year-old American who chose to leave Texas for a unique adventure in France.
An inspired career
Change After spending five years as an elementary school teacher, Aleksander decided to give his career a new direction. His goal? To pursue a master’s degree in marketing in France. But before diving into his studies, he made the wise choice to immerse himself in French culture for a year by becoming an au pair. “I wanted to move here to get my master’s degree, but before I started school, I wanted to have a year of just living here and immersing in the culture, learning the language,” he tells us.
Adapting to French culture
While experiencing culture shock, Aleksander found it to be a valuable learning opportunity. He shares his observations about the differences between American and French life: later meal times, lighter breakfasts, and most notably, a much more pedestrian-friendly lifestyle. “I walk a lot more here than I would in the states. Public transportation is just a lot bigger here, walking is a lot bigger here as opposed to America where everyone kind of just has cars and everything is so spread out.”
A fulfilling Au Pair experience
Currently with his second host family, Aleksander takes care of two young boys. His teaching experience proved to be a major asset, reassuring families and facilitating his adaptation. His days are well-structured: he picks up the children from school around 4:15 PM, organizes various activities until 6:30 PM, and accompanies them to their extracurricular activities on Wednesdays.
Mutual learning
One of the most beautiful surprises of this experience has been the reciprocal learning that has developed with the children. “I’ve been learning French for three years now and I’ve learned more from him in the seven months I’ve been here than both of the years before that,” Aleksander enthusiastically shares. The children, proud to be able to teach their language to an adult, gain confidence while actively participating in his integration.
Advice for future Au Pairs
Drawing from his experience, Aleksander shares some valuable advice for those who might want to follow in his footsteps:
- “Go into it open, not have any expectations”
- “Ask a lot of questions to your potential host family before you get here”
- “Try to learn as much French as possible before you come here”
- “There’s no such thing as too many questions when it has to do with someone’s child”
- Be flexible with unexpected changes
Looking Towards the Future For Alexander, this au pair experience is just the beginning of his French adventure. He plans to continue his marketing studies for two years and keeps an open mind about his future. The bonds created with his host family and the children are meant to last well beyond his time as an au pair. “When you’re here for a long period of time, you grow a bond with the kids, and they grow a bond with you, and so that’s definitely something that I would want to continue even after I leave.”
Personal growth and development
The experience has pushed Aleksander out of his comfort zone in the best possible way. “I think it’s helped me step out of my comfort zone and do a lot of things that I haven’t done before,” he reflects. Being an au pair has helped him develop greater confidence and responsibility, especially when handling various situations with the children in public.
This story perfectly illustrates how the au pair program can serve as a springboard to new professional horizons while offering an incomparable cultural experience. It also shows that age is not a barrier to embarking on this adventure, as long as motivation and open-mindedness are present.
At BUTRFLY, we are proud to facilitate these beautiful intercultural encounters that enrich both families and au pairs. Alexander’s story is a perfect example of these successful exchanges that help build bridges between cultures and open new horizons for everyone involved.
