Saturday, 3rd October 1987, Euston Station, London. Certain dates stay firmly fixed for evermore in our memories. The 3rd of October 1987 is one of those dates for me. It’s the date I arrived in England for the first time. My objective: a 6 month Au Pair placement in Manchester!
On that day, while I was waiting for my connection, loads of words streamed through my head: excitement, anxiety, adventure, culture, food, driving on the left, going into the unknown, the language (scarcely known) - to name but a few…
I was 21 years old. I had just failed a job interview and the reason for this was my English wasn’t good enough. I therefore decided to take the bull by the horns and to go on a language course in England.
Becoming an Au Pair was the solution for me. I was able to improve my English, experience another culture and earn a little money looking after 2 boys who were 7 and 11 years old plus doing some of the household jobs.
Above all, I delivered a solution to the family particularly during the school holidays when it’s so difficult for full-time working parents to find the best solution for their childcare.
My placement, although initially expected to last for 6 months continued for 2 years! Admittedly it was a challenge at the start. To be immersed in a completely different culture, struggling to speak the language, living with people you don’t know, driving on the left were all real difficulties at least at first but with my determination, my efforts and the constant support of the family, who from the start treated me like a member of their family, the experience was unforgettable. I also made numerous friends who were in the same situation as me. Moreover, I got the chance to visit and explore different parts of the country. I took an English course and I even drove on the left!
Anecdotally, some 25 years later, I am still in touch with the family who welcomed me as their Au Pair and who became a second family to me. What’s more, I can now enjoy spending time with the children of the 2 boys I looked after all those years ago. I am also still in contact with a Spanish friend who I met when we were both beginning our journey as Au Pairs.
I now live in England where I teach French and I am the mother of a little girl. During this adventure together, I will look out for you and happily liaise with your families in order to help you find a solution for your holidays and as future Au Pairs launch you into a cultural and language adventure which you will never forget!
Catherine Morin
