At BUTRFLY, we are delighted to share the enriching experiences of our international community of au pairs. In our latest episode of the “La Grande Famille” podcast, we welcomed Robbie, a 25-year-old Dutch woman who shares her journey as an au pair in France.
From the island of Texel to the French coasts
Originally from a small island in the north of the Netherlands called Texel, Robbie grew up in an environment where “everyone knew everyone.” This experience, although sometimes constraining, allowed her to develop a strong personality. At 18, she moved to Amsterdam to pursue her studies, where she obtained a degree in International Creative Business.
After working in media in the Netherlands, Robbie decided to live an experience abroad. “France is a very beautiful country, it’s a very beautiful language, I wanted to learn more about the language and culture,” she tells us. Her previous experience at a French campsite had already sparked her curiosity about French culture.
Two regions, two atmospheres
One of the particularities of Robbie’s journey is having lived in two distinct French regions: Cannes on the French Riviera, then Biarritz on the Atlantic coast. This dual experience allowed her to discover two very different facets of France.
In Cannes, she was immersed in a luxury atmosphere where “people wear beautiful clothes, drive beautiful cars” and where appearance plays an important role. In Biarritz, on the other hand, she discovered a more relaxed atmosphere: “People are more relaxed. They make the best of their life.”
This difference is even felt in driving, as Robbie points out: “In Cannes, it was horrible [driving]. It was very scary.” Whereas in Biarritz, “the streets are wider, there’s more space,” making the experience much more pleasant.
Life within a French family
Currently, Robbie takes care of three boys aged 9, 6, and 2. She shares her daily life with a French-Canadian family, where she communicates mainly in English, as the children are already bilingual.
What facilitated her integration? “I felt immediately supported by them,” she explains. This mutual trust formed a solid foundation for building a harmonious relationship. Robbie also emphasizes the importance of flexibility in the role of an au pair, to adapt to the changing needs of the family.
A journey towards oneself
Beyond cultural discovery, the au pair experience represents for Robbie a true inner journey. The moments of solitude and reflection have allowed her to better know herself and to envision her professional future with more clarity.
Her advice to future au pairs? “Don’t be too hard on yourself. Go with the flow.” She also recommends taking the time to choose your host family carefully, because “you will spend a lot of time with this family.”
A new perspective on her home country
Paradoxically, living in France has allowed Robbie to take a fresh look at her own country: “Being in France has opened my eyes about the Netherlands.” This distance has made her aware of the qualities of her native country: “I know much better why the Netherlands is a good country now.”
This awareness is one of the many unexpected benefits of the au pair experience, which goes far beyond learning a language or discovering a culture.
At BUTRFLY, we are convinced that the au pair experience is a transformative human adventure, both for young people and host families. If you wish to live this enriching experience, do not hesitate to contact us to learn more about our international au pair program.
