Want to read all about the adventures of Chipo, au pair in the Netherlands? “lt has always been my dream to travel the world and meet new people, being an au pair was an obvious choice for me because I knew it would give me the opportunity to do both; and to also have an opportunity to afford an otherwise high-priced experience at a very affordable cost.”
Nice to meet you
Hi! My name is Chipo, l am from Zimbabwe and l am currently an au pair in the Netherlands. lt has always been my dream to travel the world and meet new people, being an au pair was an obvious choice for me because I knew it would give me the opportunity to do both; and to also have an opportunity to afford an otherwise high-priced experience at a very affordable cost.
I love children, and the thought of being an au pair and being around children did not scare me at all. To be honest, l was very well-prepared for the task.
Getting to know the country
I was afraid of the idea of leaving my home, my family and everything I know for a whole year, but those feelings subsided the very moment I landed in the Netherlands. Living in the Netherlands has been amazing, each day I experience something new. Such as experiencing cars driving on the right side – l’m used to the drivers being on the left side – so this was new and fun to experience. l’m enjoying the view of beautiful structures everywhere. Everything moves a little slower here, it’s much more serene, and I’m enjoying every moment as it comes.
(Not) speaking the language
I was also worried about being able to communicate efficiently, but it has been easier than I imagined, I have been learning Dutch but, in the meantime, it has not been difficult to get around either, because for the most part I have been met friendly people. The Netherlands is very tourist and foreigner-friendly. Everyone I met has been willing to engage in conversation in English, which is the language that I am comfortable with for now, so I do not feel out of place at all.
The best part of this experience has been that I was matched to a very lovely family through Nina.care. I’m mostly grateful because our personalities match, and they are also open to sharing in my experiences here as well. In the last few weeks, we have gone on tours of the city and areas beyond. I have also had a lot of time to myself, which I equally enjoy, I love sitting in the park or a café while catching up on a good book. I feel very grounded and balanced, and I’m certain the environment has played a part in that.
About Nina.care and my au pair team
Nina.care has been very supportive of me during my stay. This experience was my first time traveling alone, and Nina.care has been extremely understanding. They have shown concern over my mental and physical wellbeing and how I am finding my experience of being in the Netherlands.
I’ve found it easy to make friends because the agency has connected me with other au pairs who are also experiencing the Netherlands for the first time. I have made a lot of friends, and every weekend has been a different and exciting adventure. There is a lot to do here, every weekend we take in as much as possible of the city, from just chilling in a cool restaurant to riding the tram, to a neighboring city, we have been enjoying the Netherlands at a leisurely pace.
Would I recommend the au pair adventure?
Being an cultural exchange au pair is definitely an experience I would recommend to anyone who loves adventure and experiencing new things, it is a great way to gain a wonderful experience on a budget.
Register as an au pair
Does this adventure sound exciting? Register as an au pair here, and we’ll see if we can find an amazing family for you.
Want to hear more au pair experiences in the Netherlands? Check out our posts on Galuh, Elsha, Dawn, and Laura!