Program Reviews

Teaching English in Verona, Italy was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Working with Scotia Personnel to further this experience was an incredible journey. The staff at Scotia Personnel are very easy to talk too and incredibly friendly. At first, I thought travelling and Nannying would be a cool experience but I never thought in my wildest dreams that it would come true, would be as seamless and easy as it was and that I would get to live in Italy with such an amazing family that I now call my Italian family. Going to Italy to live for two months was very scary…I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t know anyone and I was away from home in a different country for two months. To say the least this trip was life changing.

I arrived at the airport in Verona and my family was waiting for me with flowers. They were so excited to meet me and I felt the same. The language barrier was hard at first because I wanted to say so much to them and they wanted to say so much to me… thank you google translate haha!! I remember the little girl when I first met her had the biggest smile on her face and she kept hugging me and holding my hand. I immediately made a sister. She grew up with two older brothers so she was pretty excited to have an older sister. We did everything together. She especially loved it when I styled her hair.

Every person in their family opened me into their family with open arms. I went to a family party with about sixty extended family members attending. I was nervous because their English wasn’t great and I had to socialize with all these new people for the afternoon. Everyone was so excited to meet the “Canadian” girl. I was welcomed in by so many and it made me feel like family. The family offered me many things such as the option to travel, go out and explore, meet new people, have evenings out, taste new foods and see a new part of the world. The family was so excited to show me around Italy. We went to Venice for the day and got to see the canals and do a gondola ride. We also got to see a city that is all built on water which was unique.

Feeling nervous and anxious is normal and it just means you’re going outside of your comfort zone. I truly believe to have the greatest experiences of your life – you need to be outside of your comfort zone. This trip made me go out of my comfort zone because everything was a new experience in a new culture, which is why I truly believe this was the most amazing experience I have ever had. I have some new family members and a forever connection to Verona, Italy.

I have worked with Scotia Personnel twice and have had a phenomenal experience both times. In 2016, I went to Palma Mallorca Spain as an Au Pair. They set me up with a wonderful family. My days would consist of waking up the 3 boys in the family, making them breakfast, taking them to the beach and then coming back to the house for lunch. During my weekends off, I would stay with the family because they would show me around the island. I still keep in contact with the family. In 2018, I went to England to work at a camp. The process of being able to work at the camp as a Canadian citizen would seem difficult but Scotia Personnel knew what needed to be done, how to do it , and when. They guided me throughout the entire process. I had the time of my life at the camp. On a day to day basis, my roommates and I would wake up and get breakfast. Each week we were given a group of kids. We would take them to activities throughout the day, eat lunch with them, and supervise them during evening activities. On off weekends I would go to London or just hangout with friends. At the begging of the camp I requested a week off in August. During that week I visited the family that I Au Paired for in Spain. I still keep in contact with the girls that I met at the camp. We always talk about how it was the best summer ever.

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.

I went to London, England as an Au Pair only planning on staying 6 months. I loved it so much that I ended up staying the duration of my visa which was two years. I stayed with two wonderful families who I still keep in contact with today. I worked in the week and would travel on the weekends! I made lifelong friends along the way that made my experience all that much more exciting. Scotia Personnel was absolutely amazing from beginning to end. They coached me through the process of getting to the UK which was what I needed to take the leap. When my first host family had to move 9 months after my arrival, Scotia Personnel was there to help set me up with another equally amazing family. They are extremely pleasant to work with and you can tell that they really care about you. I highly recommend!

Scotia Personnel allowed me to travel the world and live in places I never thought I would get to experience. I've had the opportunity to live in France and China and I've made friends from around the world as well as have experiences that I'll never forget. The family that I was paired with have been nothing but accommodating and kind as well as willing to provide me with a memorable cultural experience. I have made a lot of friends whom I still keep in contact to this day. France is a great place to go especially if you are interested in seeing other parts of Europe. The best part about traveling and being submerged in a different culture for so long is how much you grow personally when I went back home after my program I felt like a different person, I felt more confident in myself and wiser to the ways of the world.

Scotia personnel is an incredible company! The vast opportunities they offer has something for everyone. They treat everyone like family from the moment you walk in their door. Creating opportunities all around the world with your safety being their number one priority. I could not say enough good things about this company.

I just recently came back from tutoring in Italy and I wanted to share how amazing my experience was! It was honestly the best summer of my life and I am so grateful for every thing that Scotia personnel did for me; Thank you so much. I made so many friends while travelling who I am already planning on going to go see. The food was so good In Italy. I have done a fair amount of travelling but have never had an experience as authentic as this one. Living and working with a host family I picked up Italian so easily being completely immersed in it. Obviously the locals no all of the best spots and my host family was so excited for me to fall In love with their country that they took me everywhere. Paying for everything. They also took me to Switzerland and Germany so not only did I get to go to one country I got to experience 3. The two little girls will forever be like little sisters to me. I encourage everyone to participate one of the many programs offered the hardest part was choosing what country to go to. The experience was extremely safe and organized and I am very happy to have worked with Scotia personnel.

Thanks to the consistent support and determination of the staff at Scotia Personnel, I was able to, not once, but twice able to explore Northern Italy. The families withwhich I stayed were always kind and welcoming to this stranger. With their help, I have been able to explore Milan, Turin, Sauze, Siena, Pisa, Ferrara, Lazise, Bardolino, Garda, Venice, Bologna, Ravenna, Punto Marina, Rome, the Vatican, Modena, Bussolengo, and Verona. I have seen works of art that I would have never dreamed of witnessing, like Michaelangelo's David, Leonardo's Last Supper, or Bottecelli's Birth of Venus. I have had a sip of Italian culture and it was worth every second.

The work was difficult but fair. I am a laboratory technician by trade and conversing with children does not come naturally for me. However, the challenge has made me into a greater person with more compassion than before. I have expanded the limits of my patience and have learned new strategies for communication barriers.

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!

Thank you Scotia Personnel for providing me the opportunity to travel to England and Australia for 1 year each to work as front desk agent at hotels. The landscape and history i saw abroad was rich and beautiful and i experienced their culture and local specialties. I had an awesome time working at the hotels! I learned the ins and outs of what it takes to be a successful hotelier! Thank you so much Scotia Personnel!

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!