- "If traditional English teaching abroad feels like talking at walls, this au pair journey in China is about living within those walls! You're not bound by lesson plans or school schedules—your day is dictated by your host family’s customs and habits—and you'll find yourself embodying roles of friend, model student, cultural bridge.
It's not about teaching English in a classroom, but about immersing yourself in a Chinese family's daily life.
You'll be more than just a nanny - you'll be a cultural ambassador, a friend, and a role model.
1. **It's a cultural immersion experience**: As an au pair in China, you'll be living with a Chinese family, which means you'll be surrounded by the language, customs, and traditions 24/7.
You'll learn how to cook Chinese dishes, celebrate Chinese holidays, and understand the intricacies of Chinese etiquette. China’s cultural immersion through Sarah’s au pair experience goes much deeper than you might expect.
She learned a valuable skill unexpectedly: how to make dumplings entirely by herself! Thinking back on her year as an au pair hostess in China.
Thinking back on her year as an au pair hostess in China."
2.
She realized you can learn cooking skills entirely by yourself! The idea that she needed assistance was proven wrong through her experience with her host mom. One common method to gain valuable real-world experience in an unfamiliar culture is through traditional au pair programs. It might even help you save up for the big trip ahead or pick up languages along the way—but its most valuable outcome is completely internal, changing your perspective on life itself and reshaping what independence means. Reflect on what 'freedom' signifies personally when welcoming someone as an au pair. Instead of focusing solely on their teaching duties, frame it as the dynamic interplay between sharing knowledge and building bonds. As an au pair host, it's quite possible that you'll feel tempted to splurge on experiences like a stylish dinner or a weekend excursion just down the street.
3.
**The role is more like a big sister/brother than a teacher**: Unlike English teaching jobs, where you're expected to be a authority figure, as an au pair, you'll be more of a mentor and a friend to your host kids.
You'll play games, have conversations, and go on outings together. Living like part of an extended family creates special connections and memories that stick with you for life.
4.
**The experience is a great way to learn Mandarin Chinese**: As you're surrounded by Chinese speakers all day, you'll pick up the language quickly. Once you've lived briefly in China, it's often observed that your internal thoughts begin to mirror Chinese—they do this so consistently I’ve personally picked up on it.
But what about the challenges? * Embarking on an au pair journey in China means navigating a vibrant tapestry woven from cultural differences, language hurdles, and the subtle sting of homesickness.
Categories:
Chinese,
Destination,
Experience,
Language,
Culture,
World,
Local,
English,
