Brief introduction
I’m Sabrina, 19 years old, from Turin, Italy. Before starting my au pair adventure in the Netherlands, I worked at a summer school, where I assisted with homework and looked after children. My desire to study in the Netherlands inspired me to take a gap year, which turned out to be perfect. I found my host family online, and Au Pair Holland handled the mediation and guided me before my arrival in the Netherlands. Thanks to their help, I moved to the Netherlands on 16th August 2023. My adventure will end on 11th July 2024, and I’m excited to share my experiences with you.
Finding the perfect match
Finding my current host family through the website was quick and easy, with many options to choose from. My first impression was very positive as they were welcoming and open-minded. They made me feel immediately that I was part of their family. I knew this was the right family for me because the host mother and I had something special in common: she had done a similar exchange in the US during her high school years. Additionally, they have two children aged 8 and 9, and I was eager to join a family with children in this age range.
My host family consists of a mother, father, an 8-year-old girl, and a 9-year-old boy. We live in a lovely neighbourhood in Leiderdorp, near Leiden. The house is spacious, and my room is in the attic. I’m lucky because my space includes two rooms and a bathroom. It’s very cosy with a bed, desk, sofa, and TV.
Free time
I have a lot of free time and work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and sometimes on weekends. My day starts with getting the children ready for school. Once they are gone, I have time for myself. In the afternoons, we play, have a snack, and sometimes friends come over to play. My main tasks are looking after the children, organising fun activities, and cooking. On weekends, we visit fun child-friendly places, such as trampoline parks and mini-golf. An unforgettable moment was skiing at Snow World—really awesome!
In mijn vrije tijd schilder en naai ik graag, en ik vind het leuk om door steden als Den Haag, Amsterdam en Leiden te wandelen. Mijn eerste vriendin leerde ik kennen via de lijst van au pairs die ik via Au Pair Holland ontving. Ook sloot ik me spontaan aan bij een amateurvolleybalteam die ik zag spelen in mijn buurt. Via apps zoals Bumble, waar je niet alleen dates maar ook vrienden kunt vinden, ontmoette ik andere nieuwe vrienden.
Experiences in the Netherlands
I love the Netherlands because it is international and most people speak good English, which makes me feel welcome. The public transport is efficient and there is always something to do. I participated in two events organised by Annelies from Au Pair Holland. Both activities were enjoyable, especially the winter event where I met many au pairs from all over the world.
Learning curve as an au pair
Sometimes it is challenging to be taken seriously by the children, as they test your patience. I learned more about their behaviour and can now handle it much better. Another challenge was the weather; I am used to nice weather in Italy, so I had to get used to the Dutch climate.
Being an au pair really gives you insight into life as a working adult. It is a big step after high school, but I now feel more mature and enjoy my freedom and semi-independence. It also brings mental challenges, but I have learned to be more patient and appreciate small steps forward.
Be open to others, be patient, and dare to embrace new experiences. Don't be afraid to speak English, even if it's not your native language. It is okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them. Additionally, it is very important to respect your host family and show appreciation towards them. I look back on a wonderful adventure and I really wish that for everyone!
Sabrina's au pair moments
