"It just felt right" - Ashlyn's year in Amsterdam

Ashlyn shares her experience of moving from the United States to Amsterdam: from her day-to-day life to those little moments that made her year abroad truly unforgettable.

Why I chose Amsterdam and the Netherlands

I chose the Netherlands — and Amsterdam specifically — for a few reasons. While studying abroad, I met a lot of Dutch people and really enjoyed their personalities and culture. I also wanted a city that felt like a good balance between busy and relaxed.

London was very fast-paced, while Rome and Florence felt slower. Amsterdam felt like the perfect in-between: lively, international, but still calm and easy to navigate.

I had visited Amsterdam before and already loved it, so when I started browsing host families, it just felt right. If you feel drawn to a specific place, there’s usually a reason — and for me, it worked out perfectly. 

Working hours and daily life

I work a maximum of 30 hours per week, which leaves me with a lot of free time. I arrived on a Saturday and started working on Monday, and the transition was very smooth.

My host family has had au pairs before, so they were very experienced and knew exactly how to integrate me into their home. The children were already comfortable with having an au pair around and speak English fluently, which made settling in much easier.

Because of the limited working hours, I’ve had plenty of time to:

• Explore Amsterdam
• Travel around the Netherlands
• Visit other European countries

One thing I’d recommend — especially if travel is a big part of why you want to au pair — is to save a little money before you go. Having that cushion meant I could say yes to spontaneous trips and experiences without stressing, and it honestly made the whole year feel a lot lighter and more fun. 

Living situation & meals

During my stay I had my own private room (and bathroom), but it’s important to know that this can differ from family to family. In the Netherlands, host families are only required to provide a private room, not a private bathroom.

Meals also vary. In my case, I ate dinner with my host family Monday to Friday. It’s not a must, but it’s something I really enjoy and a great way to bond. I don’t do much cooking myself — mostly helping with preparation — which is something I recommend clarifying before committing.

If you are preparing for your first call with your host family, this checklist can help you feel more confident and organised:

Helpful read: Questions to ask your future host family  

Adjusting to everyday life

One small thing that surprised me when I moved to the Netherlands was how unfamiliar everyday brands were at first — even simple things like groceries, skincare, or household products. At the beginning, that felt a little overwhelming.

What really helped was that my host family was very experienced in hosting au pairs, so they understood these small adjustment phases and were always happy to help or explain things. Over time, I found my go-to brands and routines, and now it all feels completely normal.

It’s just one of those small adjustments that comes with living in a new country — and it gets easier faster than you think.

Tip: Give yourself time. Feeling a bit lost at first is a completely normal part of the experience.

Living in Amsterdam as an au pair 

Living in Amsterdam as an au pair has been an incredible experience. The city is vibrant, international, and surprisingly easy to navigate — especially by bike. There’s always something to do, but it never felt overwhelming.

One of my favourite things to do was a canal cruise at sunset. Moments like that really reminded me how lucky I was to call this place home, even if it was just for a year.

Being based in the Netherlands had also made traveling incredibly easy. Since moving there, I was been able to visit 18 different European countries, and I don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Would I recommend the Netherlands as an au pair destination? 

Absolutely. If you love working with kids, enjoy traveling, and want a genuine cultural experience while still feeling supported, the Netherlands — and Amsterdam in particular — is an amazing choice.

Looking back, becoming an au pair here pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. It helped me grow more independent, meet incredible people, and create memories I’ll carry with me long after this year ends. 

If you’re feeling unsure but curious, that’s completely normal — I hope my experience helps you feel a little more confident about taking the leap.