After college, I expected to follow the “normal” path and start a corporate job. Instead, I packed my bags and moved to Paris as an au pair — a decision that helped me discover independence, new friendships, travel and a very different kind of personal growth.
At first, living abroad felt exciting and slightly overwhelming at the same time. Even small things took adjustment — grocery stores looked different, brands I knew didn’t exist, and everyday tasks took more energy because I was constantly translating things in my head. I’m also not naturally a morning person, but somehow waking up in Paris makes getting out of bed easier.
Over time, unfamiliar things slowly started feeling normal. And that’s something I wish more future au pairs knew: it’s completely okay if the adjustment period feels awkward at first. It doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision.
One thing people don’t always realize is that au pair life can leave you with a lot of freedom, depending on your arrangement. I used to work around three and a half hours a day caring for two children. Most afternoons, I picked them up from school, helped with homework, made dinner, and played games with them until around 8 p.m. The rest of my day was usually my own.
Some mornings I’d go to French class, which became one of my favourite parts of living there. Other days, I’d explore a new neighbourhood, work on content creation, or grab lunch somewhere near Montmartre. And honestly, sometimes I’d just wander around the city with no plan at all.
I think social media can make it seem like everyone instantly finds their perfect friend group abroad. That wasn’t really my experience.
Making friends took time and effort. I had to push myself to go to events, join language classes, message other au pairs first, and say yes to invitations even when I felt nervous or tired. Eventually, those little moments added up.
I met people through Facebook groups, language classes, Bumble BFF, and local meetups. Some of my closest friendships here started from very simple plans like coffee dates or park picnics.
If I could give one piece of advice to a new au pair, it would be this: be patient with the process.
Feeling lonely sometimes at the beginning is very normal.
One unexpected part of au pair life was realizing how much free time I actually had. At first, I didn’t know what to do with it. But over time, I started building routines and hobbies that made me feel more grounded. I began documenting my experience online, journaling my travels, taking French classes, and even doing things like dog walking and teaching English lessons.
Those experiences helped me meet locals and feel more connected to the city. I also learned that productivity abroad doesn’t always have to mean “working.” Sometimes it’s just exploring a museum alone, sitting outside with a coffee, or learning how to navigate a completely new place by yourself.
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to become an au pair was the opportunity to travel. Because Paris is so well connected, traveling around Europe became much more realistic than I expected. I learned quickly that booking early, using budget airlines and buses, and staying in hostels makes a huge difference.
I also tried to save money before moving abroad, and I’m very glad I did. Your weekly stipend helps, but having some savings gives you more freedom to say yes to spontaneous trips or experiences. For me, travel became one of the most rewarding parts of this au pair year. It made me feel independent in a way I hadn’t experienced before.
Becoming an au pair challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. There were moments of homesickness, awkwardness, and self-doubt. But there were also moments where I felt more confident, independent, and capable than ever before.
Living abroad taught me how adaptable I actually am. If you’re considering becoming an au pair but feel hesitant or scared, I completely understand that feeling. I was nervous too. But I genuinely can’t imagine my life if I hadn’t taken the leap. Even the difficult parts ended up teaching me something valuable.
And sometimes, choosing the less predictable path ends up changing you the most.
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