What’s it Like to be an Au Pair in China?

I was living in a small village in the countryside of China, surrounded by rolling hills and ancient trees. My landlord, a grizzled old man in his eighties, had been my host for the past six months and had been quite surprised to learn that I had come to spend a semester studying Chinese. I had been expecting a quiet, peaceful experience, but instead, I was met with a constant stream of questions and requests for help. "Your house is so small," he would say, trying to get me to move in a more suitable location. "Can you help me with the cleaning? I need a new mop and a new bucket."

The first few weeks were a whirlwind. I was trying to adapt to the local customs and traditions, but I was struggling to find my footing. I was making mistakes, asking too many questions, and feeling like I was being watched. "You look like a foreigner," someone would say, pointing at me. "Are you from the city?" I would reply, feeling a bit self-conscious. "No, not from the city. I'm from... [insert your story here]"

But as time passed, I began to feel more at ease. I started to notice the changes around me. The local people were becoming more interested in learning Chinese, and I was starting to see the beauty of it in their eyes. I began to feel like I was part of this community, and I was beginning to enjoy the little things that I was doing. "My house is so small," the landlord said, but this time, he seemed more understanding. "I know you're trying to learn Chinese, but I'm not ready to accept your presence in my house. Let's find a place that's a bit more suitable."

So, I took the landlord's advice and found a larger house that was just the right size for us. I began to make some changes to the house to make it more comfortable and welcoming. I was washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen, and taking care of the house like a local resident. The landlord was impressed with my work and seemed to be enjoying the company of a new resident.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing. There were times when I felt like I was being watched, when I was feeling a bit uncomfortable in this new environment. I would walk to the shops and see people staring at me, wondering what I was doing. "You look like a foreigner," someone would say, but I knew that they were just curious. I would try to brush it off with a smile and pretend I didn't care.

But, in the end, I found that the house was a great place to live and that I was enjoying my time here. I was learning Chinese, but I was also learning about the local culture and customs. I was making friends with the local people and getting to know them on a deeper level. And, of course, I was also learning to speak Chinese, which was a challenge but also an opportunity.

As time passed, I began to feel a sense of belonging in this new environment. I was no longer feeling like a foreigner, but a part of the local community. And, as I began to see the beauty of it in the local people's eyes, I felt like I was growing and learning more every day. I was learning to love and respect the culture that I was living in, and that was a truly rewarding experience. I was no longer feeling like a foreigner, but a part of a community that I was proud to call my own.

I would often tell my friends about my experience as an au pair in China and how it was a great way to learn Chinese and to experience the local culture. I would tell them that I was no longer feeling like a foreigner, but a part of the community. And, I was proud to call it my own.

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