As an au pair in the Netherlands, every April brings with it a burst of vibrant orange and a palpable sense of excitement – it’s King’s Day, or Koningsdag, the nation’s most colourful and festive holiday. Steeped in tradition and exuberance, King’s Day offers au pairs a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Dutch culture, connect with their host families, and create lasting memories.   A Sea of Orange   From bustling city streets to quaint village squares, the entire Netherlands transforms into a sea of orange on King’s Day. The colour represents the Dutch royal family, the Ho ..read more

Meet Melissa, a South African whose 21st birthday became an unforgettable milestone as she embarked on an Au Pair journey in Italy.   Melissa’s story began with a simple yet profound question: What did she want from her twenties? Determined to explore the world, she set her sights on Au Pairing in Italy after gaining two years of local Au Pairing experience in South Africa. With the help of Carla’s Au Pairs, Melissa found herself matched with a warm and welcoming family in Oderzo, just outside Venice. Despite initial challenges, like adjusting to a vegetarian lifestyle, Melissa quickly bo ..read more

Embarking on an au pair adventure abroad is an exciting journey filled with cultural immersion and new experiences. Yet, one of the most significant challenges can be forming meaningful friendships in a foreign land. In this post, we’ll explore practical tips for au pairs seeking to build connections while living and working abroad.     Embrace Cultural Exchange   Living with a host family provides a unique opportunity for cultural exchange. Engage with your host family and their friends to immerse yourself in the local customs and traditions. These connections can also introdu ..read more

Embarking on a journey as an au pair is an exciting and rewarding adventure. It offers the opportunity to immerse oneself in a new culture, learn a new language, and form meaningful connections with both the host family and the local community.   However, along with the excitement comes the challenge of navigating cultural differences.   Successfully manoeuvring through these differences can significantly enhance the au pair experience, fostering personal growth and enriching cross-cultural understanding.     At Carla’s Au Pairs, we understand the importance of equipping ou ..read more

Valentine’s Day often revolves around expressions of love for others, but at CAP we believe that it is equally important to show yourself some love and care.   This Valentine’s Day let’s celebrate self-love and self-care with some simple yet impactful practices.     Start Your Day with Positive Affirmations:   Begin your Valentine’s Day by affirming your worth and acknowledging your strengths. Stand in front of the mirror and speak words of kindness and encouragement to yourself. Affirmations like “I am worthy of love and respect” or “I embrace my uniqueness and indiv ..read more

The time has finally come!   After working super hard on your application documents and ensuring that you are presenting the best possible profile to potential host families, you have been invited to your first interviews! How exciting!?   Interviewing with host families is a crucial step in the process of becoming an au pair and we have compiled some tips to help you make a positive impression during your interviews:      Research the Host Family:   Learn as much as you can about the host family before the interview. Familiarize yourself with their lifestyle, va ..read more

Feeling a little blue during the winter months abroad?    You may be experiencing some symptoms of SAD.   Dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can be challenging, especially when you’re an au pair and adjusting to a new environment.   SAD is a type of mood disorder that occurs at a specific time of the year, usually during the fall and winter months when there’s less sunlight.   Here are some tips to help you cope with SAD as an au pair:     Understand SAD:   Learn about Seasonal Affective Disorder to better understand your symptoms and ..read more

As we stand at the beginning of a new year, the entire team at CAP is excited for all of our Super Au Pairs who will be making their Au Pair dreams come true in 2024!    Flying to your new home and family is very exciting but it can also be a bit of stressful experience.    Preparing for a long-haul flight involves a combination of physical and mental preparations to ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable journey.   Here are some tips to help you get ready:   Before the Flight:     Check and Organize Documents:   Ensure your passport, visa, and an ..read more

Meet our CAP Dream 2023 winner, Ryan!     Ryan won an ALL EXPENSES PAID cultural exchange program to Au Pair in the USA! Ryan is 18 years old and lives in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.     She LOVES the arts, cooking, writing and reading. A fun fact about Ryan is that she has a folder in her notes app on her phone where she writes movie reviews.   She could spend hours watching movies and speaking about them. Ryan took Dramatic Arts in high school and her love for any form of performing arts is a big part of who she is.     Her favourite movie is Midsommma ..read more

Homesickness Over the Festive Season         It’s completely normal for Au Pairs to feel homesick, especially during the festive period when family and cultural traditions are emphasized.   Here are some tips and tricks to help you cope with homesickness:     Create Your Own Traditions     Start new traditions or incorporate some of your own customs into the host family’s celebrations. This can help you feel more connected and make the holiday season special for you too.   Communicate with Family and Friends:     Stay in regular co ..read more