Do something that scares you

China is big and can be scary when you don't understand the language and don't know the people. But (as forces as this sounds) Aupairia really takes care of you, sets you up really nice and holds your hand all along the way (if you want them).

While you might think you'd get kidnapped the moment you land or that you'd be slaving away the whole time you're here that you won't get to do anything for yourself at all, I'm glad to tell you you're wrong. There's really so much freedom and flexibility to explore the city, other parts of China and learn one of the toughest languages in the world.

The families are also really cool and treat you as one of their own. Staying with them has also helped improve my Mandarin to a greater degree because you're forced to be better, stronger, faster. Fun!