1. An au pair in China lives with the family in addition to working as a nanny or instructor. The family will expect you to eat meals together, go on outings, and even participate in their cultural activities.
2.
The roles differ significantly between a typical Filipino domestic worker in China and an au pair program.
While nannies from the Philippines usually stick strictly to household tasks, au pairs find themselves participating widely alongside their families – assisting with daily routines but also exploring hobbies or simply having fun. After carefully analyzing my own experience, I concluded that the Chinese families I worked with as an au pair saw me more as a member of the family than as a hired worker. They were super welcoming – didn't just make me feel welcome, but genuinely made sure I was comfortable in every part of our routine.
We'd eat together, hang out after school or work. My quick language skills allowed me to assist my host family around the house and start a brief conversation with the neighbors. As I look back on my experience, I realize that being an au pair in China was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Not only did I learn a new language and culture, but I also gained valuable life skills and made lifelong friends.