Out and About is the column where we chat to people who live abroad or have lived and worked abroad. This week we chat to Larochelle, who worked as an au pair in the United States for two years.
Where did you live and why specifically there?
I lived in Chicago, Illinois from August 2013 to August 2014. I was chosen by a family of seven to live and work there as an au pair. In my second year I decided to go to another family in Denver, Colorado to explore new things. I was with this family from August 2014 to August 2015.
Was it a big adjustment?
In my first year it was a massive adjustment, but in my second year it was very easy.
Tell us more about the family you lived with
In Chicago I never felt at home and it always felt as if they were looking over my shoulder to see if I would do anything wrong. I really wanted a rematch while I was there but decided that I committed for a year and would complete it, even if it was difficult. When I was in South Africa, I always prayed for a big, luxurious house because I have never lived in a large house with luxuries and wanted to know how it would feel. I genuinely then found a family with an unbelievably pretty and large house, but the family did not make me feel at home at all. There were never any consequences for the children and they always got what they wanted. It was also difficult to always convey my side. The baby was the best part of my day; the friendliest little face! He was born a month after my arrival.
My second year, in Denver, was unbelievable. I learnt my lesson the first year and then started praying for a good sincere family. I didn’t mind at all in what house I would live. I found a family of four and they were amazing toward me. I went everywhere with them – I was the third child in the house, although I was the au pair. This time I really lived in the smallest house in the entire street, but there was a warm family feeling in the house that I would not trade for anything. The parents were amazing: If I were to say “no”, they would also say “no”; we understood each other. They were also extremely friendly and always listened.
Did you speak Afrikaans while you were there?
I tried to teach the children Afrikaans, but it was always very funny for them when I started to speak or if I played them songs. The boy I looked after in my second year could at least sing Wielie Walie.
Your family were far from you. How often did you see each other?
I did not see my family once in two years. Skype made the longing less.
There are quite a few South Africans in the USA. Did you meet up sometime?
In Chicago I did not meet any South Africans that live there (just au pairs), but in Denver there were an astounding number of South Africans. There were nice meetings with a braai or rugby game (yes, believe it or not – there was rugby). It was lovely to be able to speak Afrikaans between our own people.
What was the strangest to get used to?
Definitely the roads, I had to always think very carefully before driving.
Do you still have contact with the people you met there and would you ever go back?
I have contact with the Chicago family about once a year. I still have weekly contact with the Denver family. I will go back to Denver any day.
Did you ever get the chance to travel?
I had the opportunity to travel a lot to different states, including New York, Nevada and California.
What did you like most about your life there?
The freedom that I had, to walk home alone at 22:00 at night and know you are safe. Trains, busses and bicycling was unbelievable; no one that hinders you. There was also fresh air and the snow made the adventures unforgettable.
Was it expensive to live there?
If you are paid in dollar, it is not expensive. I thought everything was cheap and this is why it was possible to travel so much and fly to different states. This is maybe also the reason I came back with nothing.
Was it easy to make new friends and integrate in the community?
I didn’t have friends at all in Chicago. It was also difficult to go out and meet friends, because I had to work over weekends.
In Denver I had many friends. The family rarely let me work over weekends. This gave me the opportunity to go on a new adventure almost every weekend, such as skiing, hiking, fun runs and new restaurants to name only a few.
What was the biggest difference from your life in South Africa?
It was definitely the freedom and the peace of mind that I was safe. I am now always so careful since being back and I don’t like being on the road alone at all.
What did you do for relaxation?
I played tennis a lot. The tennis courts are aplenty and are free. I also walked around in Target a lot – it is one of the nicest shops and is massive. One can literally walk around for hours.
What was the climate like?
Chicago is very cold! In the winter it gets so cold that the children may not go to school. In the summer there is a stuffy feeling that makes you feel damp the entire time.
In Denver you get four seasons in one day. There will be sunshine, show, rain and wild winds – all in one day – but it was always nice.
What did a typical day in your life look like?
In Chicago I received a roster every week. The mother was a stay-at-home-mom, so she used me as she saw fit. This was normally the entire day. I had to look after the baby, feed him and put him to sleep, and in the afternoons when the other four got home, I had to feed them and keep them busy with activities or get them ready for their extracurricular activities.
In Denver, I had to get up every morning and make breakfast for the children and get them ready for school. I enjoyed it a lot to do the little girl’s hair every day. I also went grocery shopping every now and then. I also took the little boy to the zoo, library and museum. It was our favourite spots.
Where in South Africa are you from and why did you decide to work abroad?
I am from Pretoria and I decided to become an au pair when I was little. My aunt was an au pair from 1999 to 2000 and loved it. I decided then and there that I wanted to go to the USA after school. It was an unforgettable experience and I will recommend it to anyone.
Do you live abroad? Tell Worldwide about it: Send an email to: wereldwyd@afriforum.co.za.
