Part 2: to Italy as an au pair

Well, you survived the journey. Found your family, maybe they were waiting for you at the airport or you made it on your own. In any case: you are there! With me it was from the first second that I mamita en paper saw, right. It felt like coming home. The first few hours were really crazy, but little by little I felt more and more like one real fake italian turn into. This is part two in a two part series about going to Italy as an au pair. In part one you will read six things to think about before you leave for Italy as an au pair.

1. Do as the Italians do

Don't think it's crazy to join your new Italian family right after arrival, they probably find it exciting too, so just do what you feel like. I arrived on a Sunday and Sunday was 'banking day' for my family. We were home from the airport and after my tour of the house they plopped down on the sofa, which by the way has a sacred place in the Italian household. What are you doing then? Are you going to be pitifully in your room from moment one, or do you get over your nerves and plop down on the couch with them. That's right: that last one. You will see that they just appreciate it.

2. Try to feel at home as soon as possible

Sure, everything will take some getting used to, but if you have taken a suitcase full of speculaasjes and dark whole wheat with you and that you can eat any time you want during the first few weeks, that makes a huge difference. Or whatever habits you have in the Netherlands or Belgium. You will probably feel very sluggish after a few days due to the completely new life, new eating patterns and new language, but: it will all be fine. Make your new room your own place by taking pictures and other things from home and you will see that it is all very easy.

3. Explore

Explore the town or city where you ended up. Mine mamita had something every morning. Then she had to go to the pharmacy, then to the supermarket, then to the dietician – because of course you don't mind all those pastes. But: ask if you can come along. You immediately get to know your surroundings, you are among the people and you build a bond with your new temporary mother. Three birds with one stone.

4. Think for yourself how much contact you want to have with the home front

The first weeks were completely new for me. I had never been away for any length of time without my parents, least of all to people I didn't know. When I received messages from family that they had a nice time together or photos of my young nephew, I always wondered why I wanted to go to Italy again. In time that changed. I developed my own life in Italy with my own friends and the fact that my father preferred to skype with me for an hour every day, was also a thing at a certain point. So draw a clear line for yourself here. I've never really suffered from homesickness, but that varies from person to person.

5. Surround yourself with people

Don't be alone at any time. Go to the bar during the appetizer and be as social as you can. Ask if the family you are staying with may have any acquaintances with peers and contact them. Check if there are other au pairs in the place where you are staying. (You can easily look this up via Facebook: au pair in ...) Go with your family when they go to dinner with friends or something similar. Go to football matches or swimming lessons from the children you are babysitting, even if you don't have to. This not only ensures that you get to other places yourself, but the children will also appreciate it.

6. Take Italian Lessons!

The last tip is also the most important I can give you. Real! Taking Italian lessons has enriched my life in so many ways. I went to a super nice school with other 'foreigners'. I learned something that I could and had to put into practice every day, but it was also just good for you. If you don't want to be told after six months or a year: 'Yeah, but you just had a 24/7 holiday, didn't you?' this is the least you can do. You will only benefit from it!

Au pair in Italy? Enjoy it!

These were my tips and tricks to start your adventure to Italy in the best and pleasant way. I hope this is of some use to you, but take life as an au pair in Italy with a grain of salt every now and then. You are going to Italy, so enjoy! You'll look back on it so positively later that all the times you've cried with a bag of monkey heads or cow bars will leave you wondering what was wrong with you.

Have you been to Italy as an au pair yourself and do you have any tips that should not be missed here? Please leave your comment below. You help others!