Expect the unexpected

The overall experience was a mixed bag, but mostly enjoyable. I would think this is related to needing a long time to get used to my host family's lifestyle which was worlds different from my own, both due to cultural differences and their social status. "It is important to know beforehand what your role in the household will be exactly so that you can mentally prepare accordingly!" is what I would say to myself if I were to go back in time before my trip! I think that would have made my stay much more pleasant.

Besides that fact, my family was very sweet and respectful towards me and tagged me along for almost anything, which let me see a lot about the city of Beijing! It is a most beautiful place, that one, it never lacks for anything to do or have fun with.

The food was also a plus! The family's Ayi had her ways with a wok and whipped up some of the most flavorful cuisine I have ever had, even if the spice destroyed my stomach on occasion. The house was always clean and tidy and the commune we were in was very pretty and had great views. I didn't go out on my own often due to a lack of free time ( which was very taxing ) but even if I stayed out late, it always felt safe to be out on the streets, even as a solo female traveler, though I wouldn't recommend straying from popular streets at night, just in case.

When it comes to my experience with the kids, I was in a family of five, with three kids under the age of 10. Here is where the subversion of expectations comes into play, for it was quite a twist to come across such young children who were so intelligent and academically smart and at the same time rude and wild. It was tricky to figure out how to approach them and guard them with their capricious nature and constant tantrums (which often involved me getting slapped, kicked, and bitten), and even at the end of my stay I still didn't fully understand how to manage with them, although they had been quite pacified by then. But when they were calm and in a happy mood they were, although very ecitable, regular children and we played and learned just fine (as stated, they were beyond their years when it came to schoolwork).

In summary, it was quite an experience. Time off was scarce but very welcome as I enjoyed being a tourist quite a lot. My experience as an Au Pair was rather harsh with the kids and that is why I wish I had known what kind of household I was going to, but that is very complicated to know with precision before you get there - It's quite the gamble.

But then again, it was not the end-all-be-all of my stay for me. I would recommend daring and curious people to check it out and become an au pair. This experience taught me about myself, about what it's like to be far from home, about my boundaries and my needs. The only thing I would see as a definitive requisite for anyone willing to try this out is patience!