I came to Spain as a summer au pair hoping to travel, experience something new, and challenge myself. What I got was so much more than that — a close connection with my host family, a real glimpse into everyday life in Spain, and a summer I know I’ll always remember.
I had always dreamed of solo travelling, but I wanted to do it in a way that felt real. I didn’t just want to visit Spain for a holiday — I wanted to live there, be part of everyday life, and experience the culture from the inside.
For me, summer au pairing felt like the perfect way to do that. It was exciting, but still manageable as a first solo experience abroad. I could travel, improve my Spanish, and live with a local family — all without committing to a full year.
Before I arrived, I expected it to feel like a mix of travel and childcare. What surprised me most was how quickly it started to feel like real life — in the best way.
I was so nervous on the plane. It was my first time travelling alone, and I kept wondering whether I’d fit in with the family, especially because the children were 11 and 15. But the second my host mom picked me up from the airport, I felt at ease. Very quickly, I stopped feeling like a visitor and started feeling like part of the family.
The experience also felt more balanced than I expected. The children were still in school for the first part of my stay, so it wasn’t all holidays, pool days, and trips from the start. That actually made it better, because I got to see what a more typical au pair routine looked like before summer break fully began.
Of course, there were still all those special summer moments too — pool afternoons, weekend trips, late dinners, and discovering new places. But what made it so memorable was that it wasn’t just about the highlights. I got to experience Spain through the rhythm of everyday family life.
My stay was just under two months, and in the beginning the children were still in school. On a typical day, I’d wake up around 7:30 and go with my host mom to take them to school.
After that, I’d usually go to the gym, and sometimes I’d walk to the local grocery store or mall to get a snack or drink. I loved how easy it was to walk everywhere — that felt very different from back home in Virginia.
At lunchtime, my host mom would often come home from work and cook for all of us. My host dad worked from home, so we could eat together before the afternoon started again. Once the kids got home from school, we’d usually go to the neighbourhood pool, hang out at home, or play games. My host sister and I especially loved watching The Hunger Games movies together.
Later, once summer break began, I also got to travel with the family and experience that side of life too. I loved that balance — I got to see both their everyday routine and their holiday mode.
One of the reasons my host family wanted a summer au pair was for the cultural exchange, and that ended up being one of my favourite parts too.
We taught each other slang, shared music, and laughed about the way my slight southern accent sounded when I spoke Spanish. They cooked native dishes for me, and I introduced them to snacks from the US. It all felt very natural — just part of living together and getting to know each other.
By the end of my stay, they didn’t feel like just a host family anymore. They felt like my family. When I left, my host mom and I both cried. Almost a year later, we still keep in touch often.
In many ways, yes. I got to experience everyday life in Madrid, practise my Spanish, and even go on holiday with my host family once their summer break started. I also got to see the Mediterranean coast, which felt so different from the beaches I’m used to.
But honestly, it still felt too short. I would have stayed in Madrid forever. I also felt like I was only just starting to feel more confident speaking Spanish when it was already almost time to leave.
That was probably the hardest part of a shorter stay: just when you really start settling in, it ends.
If you’re thinking about doing it, I’d say this: it’s okay to feel nervous. I definitely was. But if you’re craving independence, a new environment, and a chance to experience more of the world in a real and personal way, it can be such a special experience.
I think being a summer au pair is a great option for someone who wants to try living abroad, improve a language, meet new people, and step out of their comfort zone — without committing to a full year straight away.
And if you can, save a little money before you go. It makes it easier to enjoy small trips, spontaneous plans, and the extra moments that often become your favourite memories.
By the end of the summer, it didn’t feel like I had just spent time abroad — it felt like I had built real relationships that I’ll carry with me long after the stay ended.
I also know I’ll remember the feeling of everyday life in Spain: the slower pace, the later meals, the walkable neighbourhood, and the way even simple days felt full. Summer au pair life in Spain wasn’t one long holiday, but it also wasn’t just work. It felt like this really special middle ground: real life, but in a completely new place.
Looking back, this summer gave me so much more than just time abroad. It gave me confidence, independence, a second family, and memories I’d relive a million times. If part of you is curious about becoming a summer au pair, I’d say listen to that feeling — it might just lead you to something really special.
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