Sitemap

My Journey as an Au Pair

2 min readJul 21, 2023

--

Press enter or click to view image in full size

Today, I share with you one of the most incredible experiences of my life: my journey as an au pair in the United States! I lived in San Francisco, California with my host family. They weren’t perfect, but who is, right? I must say they went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable in a completely unfamiliar place. I formed a very strong bond with the kids I cared for, and I still miss them to this day.

Press enter or click to view image in full size

But, of course, not everything was just rainbows and sunshine. Throughout my time as an au pair, I faced challenges that taught me valuable lessons. One of them was dealing with loneliness. Living far from home made me experience a kind of loneliness I had never felt before.

On the other hand, I learned to embrace my feelings and developed resilience, especially when homesickness hit. And speaking of children, this experience allowed me to see the world through their unique perspective. I came to understand their pains and insecurities and the importance of parents’ attention and affection.

Get Jacqueline Cosmo’s stories in your inbox

Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.

Oh, another thing I learned was to appreciate my accent! Initially, I wanted to speak like an American, but over time, I realized that my authenticity and cultural background were valuable, and I didn’t need to fit into stereotypes.

And speaking of cultural background, this experience taught me to value my roots and understand how they sustain and shape who we are today. It was a true journey of self-discovery.

And, of course, I can’t fail to mention that embracing the new wasn’t always easy. At times, fear of the unknown tried to hold me back, but I learned to move forward, remembering my grandfather’s wise words: “Keep moving forward, and leave the past behind.” This phrase has always inspired me on tough days.

Anyway, these were just a few of the lessons I carry with me from this unique experience as an au pair. Each of us has a different journey, and that’s what makes it all so special. I can say with absolute certainty that this experience truly changed my life.

So, how about you? Have you ever had an experience that transformed your life? Share it with me in the comments! And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe here to my little corner. I’ll be back soon with more stories and adventures!

Until next time!

--

--

Jacqueline Cosmo
Jacqueline Cosmo

Written by Jacqueline Cosmo

As an immigrant influencer, I share insights on life in the US. Let's connect and inspire!