Is Being an Au Pair Abroad Worth It? Clara´s Experience

Moving abroad can feel exciting… and terrifying at the same time.

You want to travel, improve your language skills, meet people from all over the world, grow personally, and experience new things abroad. But then reality hits: you don’t know where to start, the process feels overwhelming, and you start wondering if it’s really worth leaving your comfort zone behind.

That’s exactly how Clara felt before starting Au Pair jobs in the USA.

Today, after spending 10 months living with an American host family in the United States, she says it was one of the best experiences of her life.

At Roast Jobs, we spoke with Clara, now part of our career consulting team in Lisbon, about the reality of being an Au Pair abroad, the challenges she faced, and what nobody tells you before you go.

“You become way more independent than you expect.”

1. What is being an Au Pair really like?

When we asked Clara what being an Au Pair is really like, her answer was simple:

“You become very responsible because you’re taking care of kids. You improve a lot about being alone and dealing with life in general.”

Many people think being an Au Pair is “just childcare.” But the reality is much bigger than that.

Living abroad as an Au Pair teaches you how to adapt, communicate, solve problems, and build confidence in a completely new environment. For many people, it’s their first real experience living away from home and deeply adapting to a new culture.

And unlike many exchange programs, becoming an Au Pair is also one of the most affordable ways to live abroad.

You live with a host family, receive accommodation, meals, and pocket money while experiencing a new country from the inside — not as a tourist, but as someone truly living the local daily life.

2. How long does the process take?

It’s important to know that the process depends on the destination country.

Clara’s experience was in the United States, where the process can take longer because of visa requirements. For programs in countries like France, Ireland, or Spain, the process may be faster and involve less bureaucracy.

For her USA program, the process took around three months because of embassy appointments, interviews, paperwork, and visa approvals.

After matching with her host family, they completed several calls and interviews before finalising the process and preparing for her trip abroad.

The important thing to know is this: the process takes planning, but it’s absolutely possible when you have the right support and guidance.

3. Is being an Au Pair actually worth it?

“It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

During her program, Clara lived in New York, improved her language skills, met incredible people, and created friendships she still has today. In fact, she’s still in contact with her host family and even visited them again months later.

That’s one of the biggest advantages of becoming an Au Pair: the experience goes far beyond travel.

You grow emotionally, personally, and professionally.

You learn how to navigate life independently, adapt to new cultures, and become more confident in yourself.

Sometimes, the experiences that scare us the most are the ones that help us grow the most.

4. The biggest challenges of being an Au Pair abroad

Of course, it’s not always easy.

For Clara, the hardest part in the beginning was feeling alone.

Even when living with a host family, adapting to a completely new environment can feel uncomfortable at first. New routines, new people, a different culture, and being away from family can be emotionally challenging.

But that discomfort is also where growth happens.

“You get out of your comfort zone and start building your own life.”

Over time, Clara created close friendships, adapted to her new reality, and found her place abroad. And honestly, that’s part of what makes the experience so transformative.

5. What nobody tells you before becoming an Au Pair

One of Clara’s most honest answers came with the final question.

She explained that becoming an Au Pair teaches you a lot about yourself.

You discover your limits, your strengths, and what kind of future you want.

Sometimes, you realise you want to keep exploring the world. Other times, you discover how much you value family, stability, or building a life abroad.

And yes — taking care of children every day also teaches you a lot about responsibility, patience, and maturity.

It’s challenging. But it’s also incredibly enriching.

Want to know more about Clara’s experience? Watch more here.

Being an Au Pair abroad is not just about childcare.

It’s about growth, independence, language learning, cultural exchange, and discovering who you are outside your comfort zone.

If you’re looking for one of the most affordable and life-changing ways to live abroad while deeply experiencing a new culture and improving your language skills, this could be the experience that changes everything for you.