The Cultural Exchange Project Travel Blog

Au Pair in Spain: Maya's Adventures

Written by Maya Huth | Sep 20, 2015 1:00:00 PM

My name is Maya Huth and I've always been a traveler at heart.  I'm currently working as an Au Pair in Spain through GeoVisions.

Deep breath, count to three, and out of Girona’s grand airport doors I stepped!   I was very nervous to meet my host family and the three children I was going to look after for four months.  However they greeted me with a big ‘Welcome Maya’ sign and a Gin & Tonic as soon as I arrived at the house.  Thanks to an earlier Skype conversation they knew my beverage of choice...haha!

My typical day working as an au pair in Spain involves waking the children at 9 a.m., getting them up and dressed (as well as letting the dog out.)   I make them breakfast and organize the homework they need to do that morning.   Homework takes a few hours and I help them as much as I can.

I give each child an English lesson and they read to me in English. We play English games and always speak in English during my hours working as an au pair in Spain, as requested by my host mother.

After the homework is finished,  it's play time! I cook lunch and from 2:30 the rest of the day is mine.

 

I make sure I immerse myself into the families life style as much as possible. I go out to dinner and parties with them. The parents and children see me as part of the family because I am open to their way of life. I attend Spanish lessons in my free time so I can communicate with the family better and make friends.

For anyone looking to au pair in Spain, it's very important to keep an open mind.  It can be difficult at times.   However, don’t let that scare you.   It makes you a stronger person.

Make sure you Skype with your host family before you meet them and don’t be afraid to ask any questions. My family told me they felt very comfortable with me from the start because I wasn’t hesitant to ask questions and was happy to answer theirs. Try to make sure you agree to everything before you go and really embrace it!

While being an au pair in Spain,  I had the chance to visit some beautiful places like Barcelona and Madrid. I also lived in two different places, Costa Brava for two months and Girona for another two months.