My Testimonial

I am writing to tell you about my time as an Au Pair in Montclair, New Jersey.  I decided to take a year off of school to learn a little about myself before finishing my studies.  I decided to do the Au Pair programme because it seemed interesting and I had no idea what to expect on the other side.  I am glad I listened to my gut feeling because my time in New Jersey changed me as a person for the better.

I lived with a family that had 3 boys.  They were 6, 9 and 12 when I arrived.  My family was great.  The kids and I mostly spend our days together playing sports or doing something they liked, we always planned to try new things.  That is what I loved most about them they were always open to trying new things.  When I arrived I wasn't even in the door 2 hours before the phone started ringing and other au pairs from my neighbourhood were calling to take me out and get to know me.  That was comforting.  I met with girls from all over the world.  We did everything together on our time off.  We would usually meet in the evenings for coffee or to watch a movie or just chit chat.  There were times where we were lucky to have corresponding schedules and were able to travel on our time off as well.  I was able to visit Washington DC twice, Boston, Philly, Connecticut, Maryland, New York City and several smaller day trips.  I was also lucky enough to join the family for several long weekends at their summer home in Maryland.  It was so relaxing and peaceful.  Sometimes they went there to hang out with family and I was fortunate enough to have the time to spend with friends back in New Jersey.  On August of 2007 the family surprised me with a trip to Italy!  I joined them along with their relatives on a 2 week trip to Rome and Tuscany, amazing!

On our weekends, the other au pairs that I had gotten close to and I always tried to do things together to get to know the area we were living or we tried to do some sight seeing.  IT was truly an awesome experience from start to finish.  I had to say goodbye to so many great friends, which was hard but we made promises and plans to see each other again one day.  I am sure I will get to travel to their home countries as well they will come to visit me in Canada.

My relationship with my host family was great as well.  It was very laid back and they respected me as a woman and know how important it was for me to have my privacy.  They supported my opinion and treated me with love.  I decided after my one year there in New Jersey that I wasn't ready to leave yet so I decided to extend my stay an extra 9 months.  I arrived in NJ in October 2006 and finally packed my bags back to Canada in August 2009.  It was the best years in my life to date.  I learned so much about myself, the world, and I also learned that being a mother is something I definitely want to do.  My friends joke around and tell me I was a 'mommy in training'.  haha.  I would recommend this program to anyone who may feel they want to take a year to get to know themselves, gain some independance, meet great friends and take time to explore and area you know nothing about.  The first that I met there in New Jersey I keep in contact with on a weekly basis.  My best friends are in Sweden, Germany, Denmark, South Africa, Mexico and Finland!  In closing I would like to say, if your up for taking a chance and want to grow as a person, do it...you will not regret it!:)

Misha

Au Pair In Australia

Hi!

The weather here is definitely all I had hoped for...sunny and beautiful!  Although I do miss the snow a bit.

Australia is amazing!  I love it here!  I've met so many wonderful people and made a few good friends, including 2 au pairs from Scotland and Norway!  I love being back in the country with animals everywhere!  I'll admit that some of the slang and aussie terms where a bit confusing at first.  Like a ute is a truck and a pushie is a bicycle and a chook is a chicken :P  But I think I've almost got them all figured out.  I start playing touch rugby today for one of the local teams which should be very exciting and a great way to meet new people.  The family and all their friends have been amazingly kind in helping to introduce me to new people and taking me to see new things, like camp drafting, which was absolutely amazing!

Here are a couple of pictures.  Thanks so much for all your help!  I couldn't have done it without you all!

Pia

Finland Camps

Hi there!

I've made it to Finland and I'm almost done my first two week camp here!  It has been going very well so far, the accommodation is very nice and the food is good.  We get fed many times a day so it really saves a lot of spending money because you do not have to buy any food or snacks.  The other teachers are from England, Ireland, Kenya and Russia.  The teaching job is a lot of work but also a lot of fun, the kids are very energetic and happy to be at camp.

Thanks for letting me know about these camps, I look forward to the rest of my summer here!

Elizabeth

Au Pair Testimonial

I was recenly an Au Pair place in Washington DC.

The past year was a great opportunity.  I enjoyed being around the children I cared for, I was able to do lots of travelling and I made friendships that will last a lifetime!  I sent a long a picture of myself with my host family and numerous pictures of me and the boys.  Picking a few pictures was very hard to do...But I tried my best!

During my stay I was able to travel to Florida with my Au Pair friend also from Canada, North/South Caroline with my friend from Germany, Cape Cod with the family and then I participated in a tour at the end of my year in California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada.  I also travelled to other states for little weekend getaways including, Philly, Williamsburg VA, New York City, Connecticut, Baltimore etc.  I could go on forever tell stories about my travels.

My year flew by!
I hope you enjoy the pictures:)

Take care,

Brittany

Au Pair in the UK

I just want to tell you guys thank you so very much for helping me get to London.  This has been the most amazing time and I have the most amazing family.  I wish I didn't have to leave England because it's just that great here.  I will be keeping you in mind in the future when I start looking to go to Australia.

Thank you again!

Katie

Hello from Spain

I am so happy that you kept talking to me about Spain!  I am having the time of my life, I have made amazing friends and the weather is a lot warmer now and have been hitting the beaches with friends, as well as with the kids while I'm working!  The island of Mallorca is beautiful, and this weekend going to a waterfall with my new friends!

I have attached some photos of my trip and some with the family, I will keep in touch.

Thank you

Jennifer

Having a great time thanks to Scotia Personnel

I just wanted to let you guys know that it is beautiful here and I am having a great time!  Thank you for arranging this experience, and the family is working out great!  My weekends off are spent lounging at the beach, boating, exploring villages and swimming and I am really having the time of my life!



Calvi (the town I am staying in) is breathtaking and the view of the mediterranean sea with the mountains in the background is really amazing!  2 weeks has already gone by and I know the summer will be gone before I know it, so thank you for getting me out here so quickly and with a family that really is suited to me!  I am trying to arrange all my days off so that I can do and see everything here, and really take advantage of this wonderful experience.



thanks again,



Kristina

http://www.scotia-personnel-ltd.com/

Scotia Personnel - the experience of a life time

I just want to email you guys at Scotia Personnel and thank you for helping me have an experience of a life time.  I met so many amazing people that I will be friends with for a life time.  I attach some pictures of my friends and I on vacation at various spots.  We did a lot of travelling so I attached a few photos of us travelling around.  One of Me and my Swedish and Australian friends in L.A. on the beach, me and a Swedish friend in Maui and one a football game with my Australian friend and American friend!



I also wanted to attach a few cute pictures of my host kids, they were hilarious as you can see in the pictures and we also had a great time travelling together.  There is a picture attached of them on the Jersey Shore, one of us at our favorite candy spot, and one at the zoo.



I attached one of my little sister and I in San Francisco because I think she had just as good of a time as I did!  My host family flew her out to visit me in August and also flew her out to visit me in Florida!  She is definitely doing the program when she graduates from University!!!  ...(She also thanks you guys).



Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed the experience.  If any young ladies that are thinking of doing the program need someone to talk to I would be more than happy to share more about my experience.



Thanks you all so much again.



Danielle