Au Pairs a Good Opportunity For Everyone Involved
November 9, 2011
After graduating from high school, many European youths take time off to travel and explore the world before moving on to college. With the troubling economic times, not everyone can easily afford to take part in this tradition. One young woman from a little island off the coast of England got her chance in the form of three small children on the east coast of Florida.
The Palm Beach Post reports that Laura Harding flew from an island in the English Channel to Florida in July of last year when she was only 19 years old. Looking for someone who could help take care of their three children, the Maione family of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, offered Laura the opportunity to come explore the U.S. while also earning a weekly stipend required by the U.S. Department of State.
Laura comes from the the Isle of Wight, just off the southern coast of England. Despite being the largest of England’s islands, the Isle of Wight covers only 148 square miles and boasts a population of around 140,000 people, so the shift to Florida proved a bit of a shock.
“Everything is so much bigger,” Laura told the Post. “On a mass scale, down to the size of the jars of peanut butter, everything is bigger.”
But Laura quickly formed a bond with her three host kids: 4-year-old Gavin, 7-year-old Gabby and 12-year-old Joshua. Working from noon to bed-time, Laura was able to help the kids through homework and dinner, while still having time to spend at the beach and shopping.
Being from England, there was only the slightest language barrier, but the introduction of a different culture and a global mentality offered to the Maione children is what the au pair program is centered around.
Au pairs are an increasingly popular option for busy families in the U.S., with many Americans excited to have the help in their homes of the enthusiastic young men and women looking for a chance to experience life in the U.S. In addition, the growing number of cultural exchange organizations has streamlined the process of finding people who fit a family’s needs. For some that means knowing how to cook, while others might want someone to take a more active role in their children’s education.
Though the Maiones were happy to have Laura teaching their children a little about England, families can just as easily find someone to help teach their children a second language or about a drastically different culture.
The experience turned out to be rewarding for Laura, offering a unique opportunity to engage with American culture while doing something she loved in teaching children, even if it was not always easy.
"It's fun. You definitely get to grow up, and it's hard sometimes. You need patience, to be sure."
