Loving Life in the Nation’s Capital

We love to hear from our au pairs! Lauran’s experience as an au pair in Washington, D.C. illustrates the true cross-cultural experience the Au Pair in America program offers.

I’m Lauran, and I’ve been an au pair with Au Pair in America for over 9 months now. I live in Washington, D.C., and I absolutely love this beautiful city!

I have made so many new friends, travelled to new places, been part of an amazing family and loved experiencing the culture of this remarkable place. I live with a British/American family with two boys ages two and four. They are such a lovely family who really make me feel part of their family.

My host mum is the nicest person, and all my friends love coming to our house as my host parents are so kind and welcoming. The two boys are full-on balls of energy at all times! The four year old is in preschool from 9-3 so I spend most of the day with the 2 year old.

We usually go to an activity in the morning like a play date, story time, the zoo, playground or Gymboree. Then we head home for lunch and nap time, after which we go to school for pick up. We then spend the afternoon playing at the park or at home, before I make them dinner and their parents come home.

I am so privileged to be a part of this amazing family, and I know that even when my year is over, we will continue to be in contact, and I will be able to see the boys grow up — and know I was a part of their early development.

I’m so lucky to live in D.C. It is such a beautiful city, not too big but at the same time busy and filled with sites to see and things to do! The monuments and museums are a big part of what makes Washington, D.C. such a nice city, I love going down to the National Mall and walking around the museums and monuments; they are so mesmerizing, and the history that they represent is quite astounding, especially for a Kiwi as we don’t have anything like this at home!

Learn more about cultural exchange opportunities with Au Pair in America.