An Au Pair’s Dreams Take Flight

It’s been five years since Frida Norberg, an au pair from Sweden, became a pilot with the assistance of her wonderful host family. Please enjoy her inspiring story:

I became a pilot!

September 9, 2015 was a day with a lot of tears but at the same time, extreme excitement.

I was sitting at Arlanda International Airport in Sweden waiting for a big airbus to take me over the sea and to the famous New York City. I was leaving my comfort zone and my friends and family to go and explore something totally unknown.

First of all, I was going to spend almost 9 hours on this amazing big airplane with all these mixed feelings that I had—but that was alright because I just love to fly!

I’m never going to forget that feeling I had when this big airplane was descending through the clouds and there it was: New York City.

When the au pair orientation was done, my journey continued, but this time I would be taking off to Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC, where my host family was waiting for me. I knew from the beginning that this was the right family for me!

I have lived with this family now for two years and believe me when I say that they have become my own family. Two beautiful girls, that I have helped take care of, now feel like my own little sisters, and the parents literally have taken me under their wing.

Both parents are working as professional pilots and fly all over the world. I love to fly as well, and now I have ended up in an aviation family where it ends up that they are the ones to make my big dream come true.

Frida flying over the Statue of Liberty

Believe it or not, this family helped me to become a pilot as well—and now two years later, I am standing here just a few flight hours away to become a commercial licensed pilot. I have already experienced the absolute coolest things!

I flew over to St. Louis, flown along the Hudson River in New York City, flown over the Blue Ridge Mountains, flown to the beach in North Carolina and so on.

It is an incredible story. I know, because I cannot believe it myself!

They took me under their wings and helped me to do what I love: fly.

Here I am now —two wonderful years later—and I realize how blessed I am!

I want to thank Au Pair in America for this incredible opportunity you give all the people out there.

I am so grateful for being a part of my host family’s life and everything they have done for me. I will forever walk this earth with my eyes towards the sky and think of them and all they have done for me.

At night, I will see all the beautiful stars which represent each one of them!

Find out how your family can host an awesome au pair like Frida from Au Pair in America.