LoPair Au Pair China: Learn. Care. Explore.

I love being an Au pair, I really enjoy staying with my host family in Beijing and teaching the kids English-even if they aren't always as keen to learn as I am to teach them. The Mandarin classes have been very good, but be prepared to travel quite far to get to them. Overall, I'm really happy with how my China experience has turned out.

Where to begin?! I am two months into my 6 month program here with lopair and so far I cannot fault the support they have provided. Every member of staff makes you feel welcome, and are available 24/7 if you need help - even when they're not technically on working hours they will always respond if you need them.

Included in the lopair program are language and culture classes, both of which I have thoroughly enjoyed so far. Me and my classmates often have lunch with our teacher (also helpful for reading menus for us, thank you Jora!) and she always listens if we have suggestions or ideas about what we want to learn.

Not only this, but at lopair support is offered for after the program, whether it's to provide references for future careers elsewhere or even assist in helping au pairs search for further work in China. I would recommend this program to anybody who is considering working abroad, as you have the knowledge that a reliable support network is there for you no matter what.

As soon as I arrived the Lopair staff were so welcoming and friendly towards me. I am very pleased that their support is available 24/7 if I ever need anything and how they are always looking for way for my stay to be more comfortable.

I couldn't have been placed with a better family - they are perfect for me. I like the area I live in, the only thing that could be improved is if there was another au pair living nearby.

The tasks I have to do are taking my child to and from school, then playing games with them after school (in English), talking with them, reading to them, or listening to them read, and making sure she practises piano and does her homework. We also go swimming at weekends.

My highlights are spending time with the child I look after, as she makes me laugh so much and we get on very well. I love it when she runs up to me when I wait for her after school, and sometimes she holds me hand which I think is very sweet. She also says she wants to keep in touch via Skype when I'm gone.

I get on very well with my host parents. My host mum can speak English and she never gives up speaking in English even though it would be easier for her to speak in Chinese and have her child translate. My host dad doesn't speak English, but we still get along just fine. They look after me and they care for me, and I care about them and I care about their child. I'm so happy that I will hopefully be a good memory for them once I leave.

NB - I am yet to complete my 6 month program. I will complete it in March 2015.

I signed up to the Lo Pair programme looking for a change, and it's exactly what I got. Chinese culture is so vastly different from the western world that everyday is a new adventure. Staying with a host family, as opposed to in a school, or hostel, means that you really get to experience the everyday life here, which is why I enjoy this programme.
The arrangement is fairly simple, you stay with a host family, helping with basic childcare, and introducing them to the English language, and western culture. In return you get bed, board, pocket money, and an unique opportunity to discover China. Which is rapidly overtaking America as the world's biggest superpower. Therefore it's a win win situation for all of the programmes participants.
There is a also good opportunity to travel on this programme. In my free time I've explored both Ningbo and Beijing, whilst my host family have taken me to visit Shanghai, Haikou and Sanya. I find it very interesting how your perspective of a place changes depending on who you go with. I certainly would have never been able to afford the luxury my host family treated me to on our travels. For me a seven star hotel was as alien a concept as China was, so I've certainly had my fair share of experiences here.
One of my favourite, and most surreal, experience was taking part in a Chinese television programme. Through Lo Pair, my host family and I were invited a show called Afternoon tea. It was a long, and bizarre day, but ultimately incredible, getting to be on a TV set. I've never had the opportunity in England, and no body I know can say they've been on Chinese TV. Getting to share that experience with my host siblings was the cherry on the cake. It's something I doubt they'll ever forget.
During my stay I've found the Lo Pair staff helpful and supportive. Due to the language barrier I've had a few communication problems, however they were quickly resolved by the Local co-ordinator. I'm lucky to be placed in the same city as the main office, and whenever I visit there is a friendly welcoming atmosphere. There is always someone to talk to regardless of what issue you may have.
Despite the three day ordination period, which is very insightful and gives you time to get to know other au pairs, I feel more could be down in regards to the culture clash. Many issues that arise from living so close with other people, can be rooted in simply not understanding the other culture. In my mind more culture training should be given to both parties so that they know what to expect. Often Au Pairs expect this programme is like au pairing in the western world, and they need to understand before they start that the Chinese hold very different values. I also feel the host families to be encouraged to communicate more directly what they expect of their Au Pair.
I would strongly advise you read the programmes recommendation for what to pack, as it is very helpful. Personally I'm kicking myself for not bringing a debit card for booking hostels. Other than that though I've always had what I've needed, or been able to find it easily. All placements are in big cities, or close by to them, so finding what you've forgotten is not a problem.
All in all I would certainly recommend this programme for fellow school leavers, or gap year takers. My confidence has boosted by coming here, being able to navigate a strange new place, where I don't know the language has left me feeling ready to take on anything. The educational part of the programme is also effective. I really enjoy my mandarin lessons, and despite the difficulty of the language have made faster progress than I have done with any other language. Plus with China being so up and coming, it's a vital skill to put on your CV.

The Au-Pair program is great to finally grow up and become independent. You learn how to deal with a new culture and also language.
The local coordinator also helps with problems, not only with the family. For example one day I missed my bus back to my hometown and it was my second week in China. Fortunately I could call LoPair for help and they booked a new ticket for me.
Of course it is difficult to get use to a new culture especially the chinese culture, but after a time if you keep learning and observe the culture you will start to like it.
I never regret my decision to go to China and if I had more time I would stay longer.