Program Reviews

I definitely suggest this trip to anybody with an interest in foreign languages and foreign cultures, anybody who is looking for a change in scenery and of their daily life, and really just anybody who has the time. Through this experience I was able to greatly improve on my Chinese language abilities both in provided classes and at home with the families, I was able to see amazing sites like those on the top of the Huangshan Mountain, I was able to eat some really tasty and some really weird food (not mutually exclusive), and I got to meet some amazing people that I’ll be proud to call my friends in the future. I do think knowing a bit of Chinese before you come here is definitely a foot in the door for more fun experiences, conversations, and meaningful connections, lots of people do come here without much familiarity with it, so that’s fine too. This has been a crazy, amazing experience and I’m so glad I did it. I’m sure I’ll be telling people about it for the rest of my life.

Not only you get to experience a new culture through staying with a true chinese family, but you get to make new friends and explore the city. I stayed for 3 months in Beijing and it was truly a life changing experience. Wanderlust was really helpful at all times, since i applied to this program until the moment i left China. I got to live with the sweetest family that was always trying to do their best to make me feel at home. I tried chinese food, i got to go to a lot of cool places, hang out with my friends from all over the world, and i expanded my horizons. I got to learn mandarin since you also get to go to school !! Overall, the greatest experience of my life until now, thank you Wanderlust Exchange, for allowing me to do this after i finished high school.

I’m really glad that I decided to take this semester off from college and come to live in China for 6 months. The company does a great job at making sure you get a family that you can be happy and comfortable with, both of my families turning out great. Didn’t experience any real difficulties while here. I’m happy that I was able to improve my Chinese ability both in the classes provided, and at home with the families. I ate tons of great food and tried some stuff I never thought I would. I’ll definitely miss some of the everyday meals I had here. The connections that I made with people on this trip really is the best part; the experience wouldn’t be the same without the company of all the family and friends. I think that knowing a good amount of Chinese definitely can make the experience a lot more interesting and fruitful, but many people come without knowing Chinese so it’s no problem. Truly a great experience, one I’m sure I’ll be sharing with people for the rest of my life. I’m very sad that I’ll be leaving soon, and I hope that I’m able to come back to China in the future and meet up with old friends.

At first I was worried about how serious this organization is because instead of charging me fees like other aupair agencies around the world they would even give me money for the visa fees. But now I can assure you that this organization and program is not shady at all instead I recieved good support and got placed in a very lovely host family.
Even though they live in a rather small city. I got to see Beijing and Shanghai as well. I also got to attend online classes with a one on one teacher which I thought was very effective.
Whenever I had questions about anything the agents from wanderlust aupair would reply to me very fast (never longer than one day).
Overall I can say that I had a great experience while living 3 months in a chinese family. I made many unforgettable experiences and it was definitely worth it.

I was looking for an Au Pair job for the summer before my enrolling at University and was deciding between a family in Geneva and a family that was introduced to me by a different Au Pair agency. Then I was, fortunately, contacted by one of the workers from Wanderlust, and within 2 days, they found me the best family I could have ever wished for. As opposed to the other Chinese family and the other agency, Wanderlust and this family were very open-minded, talkative, sympathetic and kind so that I decided for them right on the spot. Wanderlust provided me with assistance every step of the way - gathering all kinds of documents - which was much appreciated since I have not yet traveled outside of Europe and, therefore, never needed a visa.
I was to teach English to a 7-year-old girl and I have to say that the start was a bit rocky because we didn't understand each other's languages at all... But now, after more than a month, she can speak in full sentences and has a truly vast vocabulary, especially of food and animals - we are all so proud of her!
I, on the other hand, am having difficulties speaking Chinese because of its tones but I like it very much! Although Tianjin is a big city, the program there does not have Chinese teachers experienced enough, so I needed to take Skype lessons via Mandarin house while also having lessons with my lovely coordinator and, occasionally, with the family members which was a lot of fun.
I learned how to make Chinese potstickers and dumplings (my new favorite food) and also attended calligraphy lessons - a truly wonderful experience. I visited many amazing places with my family (Beijing Picasso exhibition, The Great Wall) or with my coordinator (Binhai Library and other Tianjin sights). There was always a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and for that, I am very grateful.
I hope that it's obvious how excited this stay has made me, I could go on forever talking about every little detail... But I will not because I would like you to try and go to China with this agency so that you can experience it on your own. It is truly worth it.

I decided to spend my gap months between high school and university as an Au Pair with Wanderlust. They helped me to find the perfect match family and provided me with a lot of information about the culture. They will help you in each step of your experience. I spend most of the time with the kids and explored with them the chinese culture and traditions. Meanwhile I was learning Chinese language and also explored the city by myself. Especially the food was quit the opposite of what I was used to but if you are brave enough to try some food you can be suprised by the taste. I had a lot of fun and would recommend this program to everyone who is planning to travel abroad and want to get to know a different culture and lifestyle on a normal basis.

I´ve been placed in a wonderful family and spent lovely 3 months there.
The insight in the culture, the language, food, life and everything else was amazing. I learned so much more about China in my time there, than I would have any other way.

I´ve been picked up at the airport and me and some other Au-Pairs spent an introduction day in Shanghai. It was great to have this information day before everyone headed off to their families. My new family welcomed me warmly and it was really relaxed as they were already used to Au-Pairs. I had flexible working times and I had lots of fun spending time with the whole family. In my free time I´ve been able to try out Tai Chi and Chinese Painting and Chinese cooking through some Expats I got to know by chance.

Anyway I think this Program is not for everyone. You should really love kids and expect to spend most of your time with them. If that´s what you want this is perfect for you!

I chose this program and I would choose it again because it got me the chance to stay in a foreign country as beautiful as China by living with a lovely chinese family.
I had the chance to explore Shaoxing and Shanghai, eat local food and meet new friends. Chinese culture surprised me and got me to fall in love with this country!
I love spending time with my host family child, I can help her with homework and teach her some English as well as playing sports and doing fun activities together.
Not only Wanderlust got me the chance to participate in this program helping me in every step, but they were there for me during my stay as well.
This was not the first experience of living abroad for me, but it was the most fulfilling and I have to thank Wanderlust team for that!

I was in a very interesting place in my life where I didn’t know what I wanted to do next, I just knew I wanted to travel. But I wanted there to be purpose to my travel! This program sounded perfect. I was placed with an amazing family, they went out of their way to make me a part of the family, and living with a family is the best way to immerse yourself in a new culture. I think this program is for responsible girls who really want to grow and challenge themselves. This is not a study abroad, not a party abroad, it is working, so be sure to evaluate yourself and your readiness for this experience! I grew a lot and found out a lot about myself, and I got to experience a new culture and find new direction in my life! I was able to travel shanghai, and I recommend everyone to plan on traveling Asia before they head back home!

Hi! I am Zoé from France.
I work as an au pair in Wuhu city.
I only have 2 weeks left before going back to my country and I already know it will be so hard to leaving the life I've build last 3 months. Everything was amazing. I loved the girl I was taking care of but I also met so many friends from all around the world. It was a crazy experience and I am already thinking about coming back to study!
I taaake the chance here to thanks Wanderlust exchange program to gave me the chance to make a dream come true but also my amazing Chinese host mother that truly became my friend.
I only have two advices for next au pair : get ready for the food, cause not everyone like it and learn some Chinese because you won't find English speaker very easily!
I hope your experience will be aas good as mine!