What happens when you quit that 9-5 job and deicide that you need a little break from the “work” life?
For me, it all started in 2014 with my first real overseas travel experience. I went to Hong Kong, and fell in love with the concept of traveling. At this stage I was 17 and didn’t think that moving overseas was really an option.
One thing I knew for sure was that all I needed was one more year of saving and a bit more maturity before I could take this idea and turn it into a reality. So I went back home and worked and saved as much as I could, and finally applied for a work holiday visa in Canada in May 2015.
Fast forward 6 months later and I was now 19, in America, and travelling on my first Contiki trip. I knew by now that traveling was definitely the lifestyle for me, so I gave myself a lot of time to research and make a game plan. I promised myself that for the next 2 years and whilst in Canada, I would continue to travel and not fit the traditional ‘working’ mould.
Incase you’re wandering, an au pair is basically a live-in Nanny. I’m sure some people would definitely have the opinion that looking after children is “working”, but for me it never feels like it. I found myself a host family who needed an au pair for their 1 & 3 year old in Toronto, and I have now been with them now for over a year and haven’t looked back.
Although I live and look after the children 45 plus hours a week, cook dinner for the family every weeknight and assist in casual cleaning around the house, it still doesn’t feel full on. If you genuinely love the company of children like I do, then this is definitely a route to traveling you could consider.
Being an au pair has allowed me to be free in a way I never could be with a regular 9-5 job.
I have made everlasting friendships whilst living abroad and I hope that I will continue to do so wherever I move next. Germany? Switzerland? Who knows. But one thing is for sure, you can turn your travel dreams into reality no matter what your age or situation.
I think so much clearer, my outlook on life is so positive and I am so much more grateful for everything life has to offer. I know it’s not a job that is talked about so much as a travel option, but if you love kids and also want to see the world, it could just be the path for you.
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