Program Reviews

From applying to the au pair program to arriving in Beijing, took around 1 month. It was a very spontaneous decision from my part but not at all regretful. I went in on this journey with an open mind eager to explore a new country and it’s culture and language. I got to stay with a family in Beijing for 6 months (dec-june), pretty close to the Center of the city, 3rd ring road. The family have 2 girls that I taught and we got along well together. I had my own separate living space from the family which made the stay more pleasant as I could separate work space and my personal space. The commute to the school was 40 minutes with subway and bus which was quite convenient, and after getting used to the subway system it’s very easy getting around Beijing. The bikes are also a plus, very enjoyable riding around the city and you get to see a lot more of the hidden streets.

Coming to China was one of the best decisions i’ve made. Every Au Pair will have a unique experience, whether good or bad, but going with Wanderlust Exchange made sure that my experience was only positive!

The agency is always super helpful and friendly. They’re always willing to
help out and offer support making my life here in China much better! Wanderlust is also very keen on making sure the families they have on record are legit. My family is probably the best family I could ask for! I get along super well with the parents and I just adore their children.

Thanks to this program I was able to go from not knowing any chinese at all, to being able to hold full conversations and even message people in chinese!

If you’re looking for a way to spend your gap year that’s cheap, fun and educational, this is definitely the way to do it!

I did a 3 months experience in China as an au pair for a family in Wuhan. It has been an amazing experience! The family was lovely and the agency gave me a lot of support especially during the first period of the stay.
In the experience is also included a very useful language course that really adapts to everyone needs, personally I used it to prepare some of my university exams.
I would 100% recommend this experience to everyone who is deciding whether to do it or not. I think it is an experience that everyone should try at least once!

After spending 6 months in Shanghai as an AU pair, I have gained lots of experience and interesting stories to tell.
Upon arriving in Shanghai I was greeted by a welcoming family and a comfortable living environment. My host family was extremely generous and kind. I do have to say, there was a huge cultural shock as the values and mindset are very different. I have been to many parts of the world but China gave me the biggest culture shock. On the other hand, if you are an adventure-seeking individual this is for you and could be the experience of your lifetime. After a few weeks, I got used to my new environment and was enjoying most aspects of my stay. Being immersed in the beautiful Mandarin language was the most unique part of the trip. If you have a love for languages I highly recommend this program, as there is no better way to learn Mandarin than to stay with a native family and practice every day.
The staff at Wanderlust Exchange were all very helpful. Any question I had got answered almost immediately. I also found myself writing to them late at night(as most of the day was busy) and they still gave me an answer the same day. Moreover, they organize regular cultural events to help the AU pairs settle in, find friends, and just enjoy their stay in general.
Overall, I highly recommend this program if you are an extroverted and thrill-seeking person looking for an adventure. If you love stepping out of your comfort zone or would like to try for the first time this is a great starting point for you. It all boils down to what you are looking for in life. Nevertheless, I'm sure most people can find many benefits with this program, and hey, what better place to start than China?

In September 2023, I had the opportunity to go to Shanghai to become an au pair for 6 months in a family of 3 children. It was an amazing experience and thanks to the Wanderlust Exchange program, I was able to explore many aspects during my stay. It was both a cultural exchange and a human exchange from my daily life with the family but also the discovery activities organized by the agency and the school.

Previously, I hadn't had any real experience with children, but that wasn't a problem because I was quickly integrated. My daily life with the children was also facilitated with the help of the agency and the family who accompanied me in the organization of a schedule.

What I also enjoyed in my stay was the learning of Mandarin, I entered the school with no level in Mandarin but I learned to love this language and I managed to quickly level up with the help of a teacher who was very invested in learning the language.
The school is not only a place of learning but also of meeting, which makes our daily life at school more comfortable with the meeting of other au pairs and also with all the school teams who often organize discovery activities.

The agency also often organizes activities between au pairs to meet new people and learn more about different aspects of Chinese culture. Thanks to these activities, I met au pairs who later became my friends in Shanghai, which allowed me to enjoy my days in Shanghai even more.

If I could conclude my stay in China as an au pair, I would say that it was a very enriching and unforgettable experience. I've been lucky enough to meet many amazing people and discover a culture rich in tradition.

I would like to thank Wanderlust exchange once again for guiding me through the program and thank you to my family for trusting me.

I want to say thank you so so much to Wanderlust for running their au pair program and making it possible for me to fulfill my dream of coming to China. More so, I want to thank my amazing host family for making it an unbelievably amazing experience and for all of the lovely times we had together. I am so thankful for their kindness and hospitality. I have had an enriching time here in China. I learned about Chinese culture and cuisine, made so many funny memories together, and had a fun time with my host kids. I would definitely recommend this program if you are interested this type of work/ exchange program!

I had so much fun from exploring the aesthetic view of the host family province, to trying different Chinese meals and also having a nice time with the family. The program helped me to gain more knowledge on Chinese language. I explored the Chinese traditional dragon boat festival and how the family gathers and eat different kinds of meal on that period. During the festival I was told Chinese family bonds more at this time. It helped me to be more flexible and making new friends among my Chinese language class colleagues.

大家好! I am Sofia and I have spent the last 6 months as an au pair in Beijing. This was one of the best experiences of my life, it helped me grow as a person, I met people from all over the world and I made very good friends. I improved my Chinese skills a lot thanks to the Chinese classes I attended and the school environment was awesome. Living with a Chinese family helped me learn a lot about Chinese culture and I experienced a lot of aspects of the Chinese culture you can only experience if you live in a Chinese environment. I would recommend this experience, because it enriched me a lot!

I would say as an experience goes this is something I would never find elsewhere. Yes they’re were plenty of ups and downs so with everything but I always had help if needed. Being an au pair is different for each person and each presents it’s own issues. True it is not for everyone and this course does not leave a lot of free time but the time is spent is not just work but learning the language. It is something that I did not expect to be the highlight of me trip. Along with the people I have met of course.

My five-month experience with the Wanderlust Culture Home-stay English Teaching Program in Hangzhou, China, was an enriching journey of cultural exchange and personal growth. Living with a welcoming local family, I not only taught English to two enthusiastic children but also delved into the depths of Chinese culture, language, and customs.

The program, while offering flexibility in teaching, could benefit from more structured educational resources. My host family, especially Mr. Lou, provided a warm and genuine insight into Chinese daily life, making me feel like a part of their family.

Exploring Hangzhou's historical sites and natural beauty added to this immersive experience. The program is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to combine educational impact with cultural exploration in China.