Cultural Ambassador Gap Program in China

Hi I am Hailey, I am 23 from Canada and I want to tell you about my experiences in 2018 and 2019 working with Scotia Personnel. I started last year when I went to the Netherlands first and then I went to Italy. I was an au pair and I made great connections with people, I made so many friends, it was a wonderful experience there so I thought it'd be great to continue working with them. So I then joined the China program and I was in China for about almost 10 months. I started January and I just got home October 6th and the whole time it was amazing and new. I went through all the recommendations for picking up proper host family and I found the best one for me. I could I truly love them and I continue to stay connected with them, and I plan on going to Australia with them too because we created such an excellent relationship in China. And if your idea is to build relationships and bonds that will last a long time and then you should choose Scotia Personnel because not only do you get to work with great people but you get great friends along the way…. you meet them, you talk to them, you share stories. I am still messaging with them in China, because it's still nice talking, sending them photos, catching up the exact same way I would with my friends back in Canada. So I definitely give them as many stars as possible because they are great and they truly care about their job, to make sure our experience is wonderful and wholesome so I hope you join their team and continue travelling cuz it be lovely to meet you along the way. You always meet new Au Pairs and I made friends from England, America, Germany as well as in China… there so many people in the program that are from different countries but we're been brought together the same reason, to make friends to learn more see the world. So good luck travelling in the future and hope to meet you on the road!

Au pairing for Scotia Personnel is the best experiences I have ever had, it has one hundred percent changed my life in the best way. I was an au pair in America and in China, they were both completely different experiences and it taught be so much about travelling, children, culture and it even taught be things about myself that I didn't know.

Being in the United States was a great experience, I lived in Michigan and was an au pair. You create a bond with the children and being with them 45 hours a week your really connecting with them, I would take the boys to the park, do crafts with them, bake with them, and play lots of fun games. In the USA you're introduced to friends right away, and the friendship that you create with these other girls is on tha you will have forever, one of my best friends lives in Germany and we met in Michigan and we still talk everyday.

In china I was an english tutor, I would be with my little girl Pudding 25 hours a week, we would study english, play games, bake, play outside, and much more. In China you take mandarin classes two days a week which is also a great way to meet other au pairs, and there is activities once of twice a month where all the au pairs in your district get together. When I got to China I landed in Shanghai and then drove to Hangzhou, which is were orientation was, and explored and met new friends and it was just a great first couple days in China. When I was in China I got to travel to an island called Sanya with my host family, it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. When people talk about going to China they always say ‘what about the food?’ the food was amazing, since I have returned back to Canada I have been craving real chinese food. For me China was amazing and I would go back in a heartbeat, my host parents were so caring and so loving, when I had to say bye to my hostchild it was so hard cause I was so close with her, I still talk to my host family often.

Traveling and working with children was one of the best things I have ever done. I was planning on going to university for Marine Biology, once I got home from these trips I realized that I wanted to teach elementary school in a different country. In September I am going to school for Early Childhood Education, and after school I hope to get a job teaching in at a Kindergarten in China.

Being an Au Pair in China was surreal. I still can't believe I was there. I used to pinch myself sometimes, just to check if It was all a dream. My host child and I became sisters. I felt like we were twins sometimes. She's one of the cutest, and smartest child I ever met. My host family was very kind and down to earth. I miss them so much. This experience allowed me to be more independent and fearless. I've met amazing people and made lifetime friendships along the way. China became a part of me. It was like a dream come true. Please take me back. I had the time of my life in China. I always had a passion for traveling, but never had the opportunity to do so until now. I'm forever grateful to Scotia Personal for an unforgettable experience. Thank you for your support, for being understanding and patient Marilyn and Richelle. I recommend Scotia Personal to everyone!

I first met Marilyn in 2011 in my last year at Algonquin College. I signed up to do a 1-year position with them working in a hotel in England. I had an amazing time at the hotel, and Scotia Personnel was incredibly helpful finding me such a great position.
After I finished my year, I went back to Canada and returned to University. After I graduated, I spoke with Richelle, an amazing member of the Scotia Personnel team, on programs that I could do during a 3-month break before I started my Masters program in Australia. She recommended the China program to me, as it provides a pocket-allowance, flight assistance, Mandarin classes and accommodations.
The family I was matched with was great. The mother and father both spoke English very well, and had two children who celebrated their 10th and 2nd birthday's while I was with the family. The work was easy, entertaining and we had a lot of fun together. The family took me on small trips, I taught the kids to make ginger cookies, and the 2-year old son and I practiced speaking Chinese together after my lessons every week!