I'm Back!
I started this blog nearly 2 years ago now, with full intentions of keeping it going throughout my time as an au pair. Two years later and I've only posted twice......
Now that myself and pretty much everyone else in the world is in quarantine/lockdown, I have plenty of time to get my blog back up and running again! I have a few ideas for things I would like to post, but if there is anything specific that you would like information or advice on as a current, future or prospective au pair please let me know!
I thought I'd use this post as a bit of an update on what my experience has been over the past two years.
I matched with an amazing family in New Jersey at the beginning of 2018. In September, I packed up and moved my whole life half way across the world, 3500 miles away from my family. It was the scariest thing I've ever done in my life, but it was well worth it. I had an amazing first year with my host family, and decided to extend with them for a second year. Six months into my extension, at the end of February this year, I got some extremely bad news from my family, resulting in me having to fly home that same day to be with them. Being in my second year, I knew that if I wanted to be able to return I'd have to renew my visa. So I started this process pretty much as soon as I arrived home. Being from the UK, I ran into very few problems when renewing my visa. After having it approved, I was optimistic that I would be able to return to complete my program, I was ecstatic!
And then, Coronavirus hits the UK......
The UK was placed on lockdown, I was told I would be unable to fly back to the US in time to be back wth my host family (program rules state that you cannot be away from your host family for more than 30 consecutive days). I was devastated, I love my life in America and I was not ready to leave it behind. Then, I got the most AMAZING email from my agency. They had been speaking to the Department of State, and because of the exceptional circumstances it was agreed that my program would be left open, so that when the lockdown is lifted I will be able to return!
So that's where I am now. Kind of in limbo, waiting for the current situation with COVID-19 to improve. And as soon as it does I'll be returning to finish my program. It's been a crazy 18 months, and the last month has been particularly crazy and emotional, but I'm confident that it will all be worth it in the end.
And that's my story! It was a long one, I know, so if you've made it this far then thank you!
I'll be back with another post in the next few days, but until then any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you for reading! :)
Now that myself and pretty much everyone else in the world is in quarantine/lockdown, I have plenty of time to get my blog back up and running again! I have a few ideas for things I would like to post, but if there is anything specific that you would like information or advice on as a current, future or prospective au pair please let me know!
I thought I'd use this post as a bit of an update on what my experience has been over the past two years.
I matched with an amazing family in New Jersey at the beginning of 2018. In September, I packed up and moved my whole life half way across the world, 3500 miles away from my family. It was the scariest thing I've ever done in my life, but it was well worth it. I had an amazing first year with my host family, and decided to extend with them for a second year. Six months into my extension, at the end of February this year, I got some extremely bad news from my family, resulting in me having to fly home that same day to be with them. Being in my second year, I knew that if I wanted to be able to return I'd have to renew my visa. So I started this process pretty much as soon as I arrived home. Being from the UK, I ran into very few problems when renewing my visa. After having it approved, I was optimistic that I would be able to return to complete my program, I was ecstatic!
And then, Coronavirus hits the UK......
The UK was placed on lockdown, I was told I would be unable to fly back to the US in time to be back wth my host family (program rules state that you cannot be away from your host family for more than 30 consecutive days). I was devastated, I love my life in America and I was not ready to leave it behind. Then, I got the most AMAZING email from my agency. They had been speaking to the Department of State, and because of the exceptional circumstances it was agreed that my program would be left open, so that when the lockdown is lifted I will be able to return!
So that's where I am now. Kind of in limbo, waiting for the current situation with COVID-19 to improve. And as soon as it does I'll be returning to finish my program. It's been a crazy 18 months, and the last month has been particularly crazy and emotional, but I'm confident that it will all be worth it in the end.
And that's my story! It was a long one, I know, so if you've made it this far then thank you!
I'll be back with another post in the next few days, but until then any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you for reading! :)
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