Meet Schyler, she is currently residing on an island called Tåsing, Svendborg which is located in the south of Denmark.
Schyler is working as an Au Pair and was placed through World Voyage and our partnering agency. We asked her some questions and here is her story.
How are you experiencing life abroad?
I am absolutely loving every bit of it. I love this country, I love the people, I love the food! Everyday is a new blessing and whether I do nothing or get stuck into admin, I end the day off happy and grateful.
How did you find the adjustment period?
It took a while, but was an easy adjustment. My hosts have made me feel nothing less than their eldest child and comfortable in my adjustment and surroundings.
What is your favourite thing to do with your host children?
We love huddling on the couch and watching movies, but mostly I love printing out pages to colour and play with the Lego.. my inner child comes out with the Lego, it’s amazing.
Have you gotten the chance to travel yet? To where did you go?
As a family, we went to Sweden and Norway over a period of 2 weeks. We’ve done some inner travelling to Copenhagen and soon I will be going to Germany and Italy.
What would your best advice be for a prospective Au Pair?
Make sure the family suits YOU instead of you suiting them and be OPENMINDED. My firsts hosts were awesome online. They lived in Copenhagen city and a beautiful house and that’s all I wanted, but my personality didn’t suit them and it made it hard for me to be myself and be happy. I then decided to rematch and made sure I chose the family that fitted me, but I had to make sacrifices of leaving the city and new friends. It was the best decision I ever made. I’m on a farm where I’m surrounded by nature, animals and especially a family that accepts me and correspond with my personality. In fact, our families have a lot in common from music, to topics, to styles of living.
Schyler went through the rematching process which means that she placed with one family and then later moved over to different family. Rematches sometimes happen because a family cannot keep an Au Pair anymore or if there is personality clashes between the Au Pair and the host family. Even though rematches are not always ideal, it is nothing to be ashamed of and can be the change that the Au Pair needed to complete their time abroad successfully. Rematches are conducted by our partnering agency and there is a process that has to be followed for this to happen
What do you do when you get homesick? How do you cope with homesickness?
When I get homesick, I call home and I fill the gaps with family communication. They always reassure me that they miss me too and love me, but also that they are proud and it’s important to realise that where we are now is so much greater. It’s okay to be homesick, but to be present in your surroundings and situation is so important.
What is one thing that you miss the most from home?
My sisters and my dog for sure! Also getting into bed with my parents every now and then.
Have you had any awkward or funny experiences so far? Please spill the tea!
So many! Everyday is honestly funny. My most awkward was getting on the wrong train and ending up on the opposite side of Denmark, and on my way back home I just couldn’t figure it out and got kicked off so I had to cycle about 2 hours to find my way back.
How has this experience changed your life?
It’s changed my life forever. My life may be permanent in Denmark and that is just a situation I would have NEVER imagined it to be. It’s all fallen into place and it’s made me so happy. Travelling is easy, Danes are so chilled and life isn’t as stressful. I’m super excited for the future.
2022/10/07
Schyler Robertson
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