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Wanderlust Exchange

4.76 Rating
114 reviews
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Why choose Wanderlust Exchange?

Wanderlust Exchange combines travel with educational exchange opportunities through several programs where participants have the opportunity to learn Mandarin, teach English as an au pair, volunteer with children, act as a cultural ambassador, or even coach tennis. Each of our programs encourages cultural immersion and exchange by giving participants the chance to experience China firsthand.

Wanderlust Exchange provide students with quality, authentic cultural experiences with an aim to bridge cultural divides. Our programs encourage participants to develop the self-awareness and cross-cultural competencies necessary to be active global citizens.

Wanderlust Exchange is a member of International Au Pair Association (IAPA), a global not-for-profit organization, and a member of WYSE Travel Confederation, the only global not-for-profit membership organization representing the entire youth, student and educational travel industry.

Website
www.wanderlustorg.com
Founded
2014
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Community Photos

Bird café with my host sister
Scenic Site
This is west lake!
Me (green shirt), my au pair friends, and our coordinator!
Cicadas for dinner!
Visiting Haihe River
Horseback riding with the host family!
My home stay dog
Hunan night
Spring holidays in the south
Skiing in Chongli
Beijing snow
Dance pose at the Great Wall
Christmas dinner with mulled wine
Wearing the light gown of a traditional Chinese dancer
Dinner with a French friend and the mum and kid of my host family

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Community Awards

  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award

Impact

Ethical Impact

Participants in this program receive an array of benefits to enhance their journey. From fully covered return flights to free Mandarin classes and engaging cultural activities, every aspect is designed to ensure a rewarding experience. Additionally, you’ll receive a stipend to cover personal expenses, making it easier to immerse yourself in the vibrant life of your host city.

This program goes beyond just a summer abroad; it’s an opportunity to grow personally and professionally. By living with a Chinese family, you’ll gain insights into the daily life and traditions of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, all while contributing to a global exchange of ideas and perspectives. This journey will equip you with the skills and understanding needed to thrive in an increasingly connected world.
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Reviews

Default avatar
Tanyra
26
Female
France
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Wanderlust Cultural Homestay Tutoring (Au Pair in China) Program

My experience as an au pair

Sep 26, 2024

Being an au pair in China was an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the chance to live with a local family, help a 14-year-old with her English, and fully immerse myself in Chinese culture. Although it wasn’t always easy, especially when adapting to new food and cultural differences, these challenges helped me grow both personally and linguistically. I improved my language skills, learned patience, and developed adaptability. I highly recommend this program for anyone seeking personal growth and a deep cultural exchange.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers on this program is to be open-minded and adaptable. Living with a host family in a different country can be challenging at times, but it’s a great opportunity for personal growth and cultural immersion. Make an effort to learn the local language and embrace the differences in daily life. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek help when you need it. Enjoy the experience and make the most of every moment!
Pros
  • Full cultural immersion in a local family environment.
  • Improved language skills and better understanding of the local culture.
  • Personal growth through handling responsibilities and adapting to new challenges.
Cons
  • Difficulty adjusting to the local food at first, which affected my skin. (Too much oil in Chinese food)
  • Cultural differences can sometimes be challenging to navigate.
  • Homesickness and missing family or familiar surroundings.
Bird café with my host sister
Default avatar
Melissa
Female
2/5
No, I don't recommend this program
Program:
Wanderlust Cultural Homestay Tutoring (Au Pair in China) Program

RUN AWAY

Sep 26, 2024

If you want to be an aupair in China, just avoid this agency for your security.

The experience to be an aupair was at first a nightmare... I was mistreated physically, and mentally by my first host family. When i informed the agency, they clearly said it was normal for them and they will not change anything. Let me pay everything by myself whereas i win only 2000rmb per month?

Hopefully some girls who was fired, succeeded to help me. I change my family but it was clearly not thanks to the agency.

They prefer defend horrible host family to get their money, and don't care about their aupair rights.

Whereas we are in a new country that we don't even know. We are very young some are only 18.

So many story about aupairs sleeping outside because the agency don't know how to settle a rematch, or just let them being kick out from their family.

Some aupairs just letting by themselves alone to go in an another city by train ? everything is in chinese, its really difficult for aupairs just arrived.

If you complain about something they will make a pressure on you and try to don't give you the stipend money, even if you finish your contract :)

.... So many stories i am not even able to tell everything just run away.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
i ate some snake.
Pros
  • discovering china (when you have a good family who don't make you overwork)
  • the food (when your family allows you to eat)
  • my friends
Cons
  • the incapacity of the agency
  • no assistance from the agency
  • no help from the agency
Default avatar
Haykuhi
20
Female
Armenia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Wanderlust Cultural Homestay Tutoring (Au Pair in China) Program

Wonderful Experience

Sep 12, 2024

I've only been here for two months, but I can say that I've been too many places in two months, both with my host family and by myself. It was a dream for me to be in China since I was a child and this program was an incentive for me to come to China and discover China. Thank you very much and I suggest everyone who likes China to apply for this program because this is a good way to discover China.I also want to talk about the Chinese teacher, very kind, I can say that she was not just a teacher for me, but also a friend. It was also interesting for me that people were very kind on the street, when I was walking they made comments to me and said that I am very beautiful and also that my Chinese speaking is very good.I don't think this was a funny moment but at the same time we were laughing,but there were very interesting and beautiful moments when I was walking on the street, everyone told me that my nose and eyes were big and that I was very beautiful, and I was happy with every word. The program was very interesting on my free days and by myself I visited interesting places together with the host family, I discovered Beijing, which aroused great and beautiful interest in me and my love for China grew even more. Thanks to this program, I came to China, which was my dream. And I think I will try to come to China again with this program in the future

Pros
  • kind and interesting people
  • delicious food
  • interesting and historical places
Cons
  • mosquito
  • extremely hot weather
  • hot water everywhere
Scenic Site
Default avatar
Ashlyn
20
Female
United States
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Wanderlust Cultural Homestay Tutoring (Au Pair in China) Program

Great program!

Sep 6, 2024

Wanderlust has been super helpful along the whole way of my program! They always reply to messages super fast! Definitely a great experience I think anyone would enjoy! I got to see so many amazing sights and try so many amazing foods. Definitely an experience I will never forget! I think one of my favorite parts of the program is getting to truly bond with the kids and have a family like relationship with them. I would recommend this program to anyone who has ever been curious as to what Chinese culture is all about.

What was your funniest moment?
I think all the times I got to see cultural sights with my host family. For example I got to see West Lake and Lingyin temples which are both beautiful!
Pros
  • Traveling and cultural experience
Cons
  • Work hours sometimes are a lot
This is west lake!
Default avatar
Angelica
24
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Wanderlust Cultural Homestay Tutoring (Au Pair in China) Program

Great Times

Aug 29, 2024

My overall personal experience with the au pair program has been nothing short of amazing! The company did well in getting me in contact with families, choosing a family, figuring out how to get my visa, and setting up my stay with the necessary items and information needed to be successful. Any time I needed help, the company was right there to do so every step of the way. Thankfully, I was lucky to get a family I work extremely well with, so everything has been nothing short of fun! I would do this again in the future for sure.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
For sure the most nerve wracking moment had to be traveling around the city by myself. I originally come from a very small town in the states, so I’ve never had to use or rely on public transportation to get around, and my anxiety disorders certainly didn’t help. I was extremely nervous about getting lost, and the first time I took the metro train, I did get lost, and lost my phone signal while I was at it, so I had to rely completely on myself and the train map to figure out how to get to my destination. Thankfully, after taking a minute to breath and calm myself down, I was able to figure it out and make it safely!
Pros
  • Great orientation to introduce the city to you
  • Pleasant and helpful staff
  • Diverse choices in families
Cons
  • Personally, they could choose a better mandarin school to partner with. The teachers English wasn’t bad, but was hard to understand at times in a learning environment and there were a lot of questions they couldn’t answer because of the language barrier.
  • The company does not check in on you or the family often throughout your stay. Though it was fine for me personally, many of my au pair friends I made described similar issues of not working well with their families, but not being able to speak up.
  • Some immediate and third party staff were odd. One staff member complained about the company being greedy and how she doesn’t like certain co-workers. A hired language teacher tried to get money out of a friend. The staff should be checked on more as well
Me (green shirt), my au pair friends, and our coordinator!
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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Soraya Shirin Stuehmer

Program
Wanderlust Cultural Homestay Tutoring (Au Pair in China) Program

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I already knew that I want to travel around after finishing school and learn more about different countries. I also love to work with children and teach them. China has always been a country that I am really interested in. So becoming an Au Pair in China was the best option for me. I can work with children and experience the Chinese life.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The Agency really helped me with everything. Before I came here I applied for the visa and filled out a lot of forms but I could always text the company and they always helped me. So even when I needed to organize something on my own they helped me a lot. If I had questions I could always text them and they would answer me very fast. So the Agency helped me with everything and because of that I didn’t have any problems in China.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

You need to be very open minded. China is a different country with a different culture. If you come here and start to live with a Chinese family it’s very different from what you are used to. So try to be open minded for everything. Don’t be afraid to try new things. If you do that you will adapt very fast to the Chinese life.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

It depends on your host family. But normally you will have 1 1/2 days off in the week and work for 7 hours a day. If the children go to school you will have more freetime. The families want you to teach the children English. So you will read a Lot of English books with them and talk a lot of English with them. In the freetime you can go out with friends. On the weekends the families go out very often and you can see a lot of things of the city.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was that I don’t like it and that I can’t adapt to the Chinese life. I was afraid that I don’t get along with my hostfamily. In the end everything was just a fear. My family is super nice and could adapt very fast to the Chinese life. I really love it in China and I learned a lot of new things through this experience. This experience really helped me to grow. You can overcome your fears if you just try out everything and don’t be afraid of something new.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Lilian Liu

Program
Wanderlust Cultural Homestay Tutoring (Au Pair in China) Program
Job Title
Project Coordinator
Lilian was born and raised in Shanghai, then studied in the UK and Australia. She moved to Sydney for work and decided to come back to Shanghai in 2018.

She started a small art classroom in Shanghai in August 2018, and because of her passion for international cultural exchange, she joined Wanderlust Exchange as a part-time project coordinator and starting to help running the company's Au Pair program in China.
Lilian Liu

What is your favorite travel memory?

My best travel memory would be to the small town in Germany named Regensburg. When we got there, it was their festival season; every shop is closed, and we saw people in traditional costumes celebrating on the streets.

We sat in front of the local church just to see how the sun moved on the church and cast beautiful shadows on the street. We felt so peaceful and joyous.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

This job really gives me a chance to get to know people from every corner of the world. I met people from Northern European countries as well as South America. Not only I get to share with them my cultures and heritages, but I also get to know their distinctive cultures and lifestyles when communicating with them. I made friends with some of our au pairs and volunteers, which I think it will be a life long friendship.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Yes, we actually have many positive feedbacks from our au pairs and volunteers. One of the best stories I've heard is between our au pair in Ningbo and her host family.

They had such a great bonding that the kids really saw her as a close big sister and they wanted to be with her all the time, even wanted to sleep together with her. By the time she had to leave, both the au pair and the family were very emotional, but they still keep in touch with each other from time to time. This could be something that lasts for a lifetime for both the au pair and the family. Not to mention that the au pair's Chinese language skills also improved quite a lot during the program.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I would definitely choose to be an au pair. Because this will give you the most authentic experience of what it's like living in China. For those who are interested in learning the Chinese language as well as the cultures, it will offer you a lot more than you can imagine. You get to see and experience so many things that you will not experience if you just come here as a student and live on campus.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our company is unique because of the fact that we put great effort in enhancing the experience of both our au pair program candidates and family candidates. We will provide service throughout the entire process and until the au pair leaves the family. We try to make each and every candidate feel they are taken care of and their needs will be attended to.

I was especially proud of seeing the growth of our team. We are a small but close-knit team. We share the same values and goals, and we also share a lot of common interests, which makes the work much more enjoyable. We have sharing sessions each week to share and discuss different interesting topics. We truly care for each other and aim to bring out the best outcome in our work.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I think passion is really important so that the team can really have the motivation to keep improving and keep growing. Also, sharing the same values and goals is equally important so that you can truly work as a team and try to think about what will be the best for the team and the company. Wanderlust Exchange has both qualities, so I believe we are on our way to be successful.

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