FAQ

Hello!

I've been getting loads of questions from people, so here's the scoop on my au pair gig in Europe....

Why do you want to go?

It's been a personal dream of mine to spend a year in Europe - to expand myself personally and professionally - and to explore European culture first-hand. 

I know that leaving my home, loved ones, and career is a big sacrifice - but it's too big of an opportunity to pass up!

When do you go? Where will you live once you get there?

 I get there on June 18th, and I'll live with my Dutch host family.  The kids are ages 5 (girl), 8 (girl), 9 (boy), and 12 (girl).  And a golden retriever!  I'll be in the city of Haarlem, near Amsterdam.

Will you be working in nutrition at all?

While I won't be practicing as a dietitian while there, I'm going to build my practical skills by cooking healthy meals for four kids (yes, I said 4!!) every day, and I'm going to network to get myself as involved as possible in the nutrition community there.

Why now?

Timing is huge! I've been working several jobs for a while now, fighting the economy.  The up-side of that is that I'm not fully immersed in my career - and since I don't have any personal obligations holding me here, it's an  excellent chance to take a year to travel!

What exactly will you do?

I'll be an au pair for the kids - taking them to school in the mornings, picking them up in the afternoons, and making dinner.  I'll have evenings and weekends to myself to enjoy living in Europe!

I found out about the au pair idea through a friend of mine and once I looked into it I realized that it sounds like a great fit.  So I contacted an agency that does au pair placements and from there everything came together rapidly!

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Keep in touch!  I'll be fully "wired" in Europe - email, Skype, Facebook, and my blog.

All my best,

Lynae

How in the world I ended up in Haarlem

Good question (I'm still wondering myself).

It was summer in Philadelphia, and somewhere between the humidity, coaching teenagers in the many cooking classes I was a part of, I was struck with the realization that Europeans are.....so "European".  I saw two 14-year old's side-by-side, one of them eating candy necklaces, referencing favorite TV shows, whining and missing home... the other composed, articulate, and with an air of *something* that - after two and a half months living with about 700 Euopean and American youths - I still had no word for how European kids are so different... so European?.

I knew I had to move to Europe.   I wasn't interested in spending a few weeks snapping photos of myself with the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, a German castle.... I wanted to live there and see what makes Europeans so different. That was summer 2007.  I still had to a year of college and wanted to spend a couple of years establishing some connections in the nutrition world before chasing this dream. 


So, in January 2010 I knew it was time. I started doing my homework and accepted a 1-year position as an Au Pair in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

Let me introduce you to Holland with a few fun-filled facts....

The Netherlands:

• Is also known as "Holland".  The capital is Amsterdam.
• Borders Belgium (which borders France) to the West; and Germany on the East.  England is to the Northwest.
• Is less than 1/3 of the size of Washington, my home state (in square miles).
• Is known for wind mills, vast fields of tulips, and wooden clogs (winning the Dutch the nickname "Cloggies").

I'm going to Haarlem (the original "Harlem") mid-June, and I will be there about 1 year working as an Au Pair!!!