Tag Archives: au pair

Openness to Experience

Posted on April 21, 2011 by

This is Orla’s first experience with overseas living, and she’s absolutely thrilled with her expat life so far. She feels a bit like a kid in a candy store: so many things to do, see, taste, smell! She loves talking … Continue reading →

Posted in Adjustment, Identity | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

French cooking for (expat) dummies

Posted on November 19, 2010 by

Oh là là! According to Lonely Planet, French gastronomy has just been added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. (So that’s two things I learned today, because I wasn’t even aware that such a list has existed since … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, France | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The wedding of my kitchen, and other embarrassing language mistakes

Posted on August 8, 2010 by

Yesterday, my lovely cousin Stella Maria married James, her longtime beau. The wedding was low-key and fun (just like the couple themselves), and as entertaining as you’d expect when two musicians throw a party and invite their talented friends. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, France, Language, Singapore | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

My life as an au pair. Chapter 3: In which I reflect on what I learned

Posted on July 9, 2010 by

To recap the story so far: In my youth, I spent far too many months in a situation straight out of Dickens (only with much better food and slightly better hygiene.) My experience as an au pair in France was … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

My life as an au pair. Chapter 2: In which I grow a pair

Posted on July 7, 2010 by

When I arrived in France to start my au pair adventure, fresh-faced and all of 19 years old, I thought I would easily integrate into French life. Instead, culture shock and isolation – as well as an introverted personality that … Continue reading →

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My life as an au pair. Chapter 1: In which I make adjustments

Posted on July 6, 2010 by

Starting up this blog has got me thinking about beginnings; in particular, my very first foray into expat life. When I was 19, I registered with an au pair agency in Paris. On a whim. When I got the letter … Continue reading →

Posted in Adjustment, Culture Shock, France | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment