“Au Pair in America gave me the chance to add amazing memories to my life, which I will tell my own children about one day....maybe while my own Au Pair is taking care of them“

"A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are made for"
[Grace Murray Hopper]

“Guten Tag” (“Good day” in German) My name is Janine (22) and left my “port” Germany in September 2004 to explore America and came back home in March 2006. I spent 1½ year in the United States and experienced some of the greatest months in my entire life so far.

I had a wonderful host family with two beautiful and very lovely girls, Anna (now 7) and Sarah (now 5). I lived in Redlands, which is a very cute, little town in Southern California. Yes, in California! I felt like a big sister to “my girls” and like a daughter to my host family. We had (and still have) a very deep relationship and were like friends to each other. They made it very easy for me to feel home. Of course we had our ups and downs (as you do have everywhere in the world), but at the same time these things strengthen the bond between you and your new family. I cried a lot when I had to fly back home again and I still think of them every day.

In America I got the nice chance to travel during my travel month, my free week ends and my vacation, which has been a great passion of mine since then. The United States are so beautiful and there is so much to discover. I traveled to 22 States in that time and I am so happy that I have got this great opportunity in my life.

My kids and I enjoyed so many great activities, Disneyland was just around the corner, the parks in town were our second home and even funny, spontaneous ideas e.g. jogging around the block in our PJ’s had been on our daily routine. I felt as if I have been this missing piece of a puzzle that fitted in perfectly. I even visited them this summer and I felt as if I have never left at all. I know that there is always a second place in this world where I could go.

Even my personality changed a lot over there: I became more mature and independent; I learnt to deal with difficult situations, different cultures and people. When I look back I just feel so proud of myself that I was brave enough to make that step that changed my life.

I can honestly recommend this program to you, because I have been totally satisfied with it.