Moving to France

I’ve made a decision about the next twelve months of my life…more or less.
The Grenet family, who live in Aubagne 18 km outside of Marseille, France, have hired me as their au pair.

From August 2010 to July 2011 I will live with Marie, a pediatrician who studied child development in Boston, Roland, who works in alternative energy, Delphine, 20, who is studying in Paris, Lucie, 17, who is now at the lycée (final year of high school), François, 14, who is in his third year of collège (high school), and Claire, 12, who is in her first year of collège.

Marie Grenet contacted me after I set up a profile on aupair-world.net, which links au pairs with families around the world.

They will pay me 400 euros a month, in addition to covering all my living expenses, to be a “big sister” to the kids and and “assistant” to Marie. I will take care of the kids after school and encourage their English skills. I will participate in family activities and help with all household matters such as cooking and doing my part to keep the house tidy.

I will also be taking French classes in the city a couple times a week.

According to Marie, with whom I have been corresponding for two weeks, their house was built in 1650 and is located in a large park with everything for horse riding , and a swimming pool. The have four dogs, three horses and two cats.
I have the luxury of having my own independent room that is separate from the main house and includes a kitchen, bathroom and TV.

They have a house cleaner, Annie and a gardener Michel also who live with them who help around the house and property and take the kids to school when either Roland or Marie can’t. Since I don’t have an international license I won’t be able to do any carpooling.

They are a Catholic family, have a flat in Paris and a flat in the alps, enjoy music, sailing and horse-back riding and they have had au pairs since Delphine, the oldest child, was born.

I have skyped for a couple hours with Marie – Francois and Claire also made an appearance – and they seem to be a wonderful family. Best of all they are very excited to have me as their au pair.

It is comforting to know I now have a “plan” but the decision was difficult. There were many great families who contacted me and one in particular that caught my interest, but in the end my instinct took over and I’m going with the Grenets.
Now I will continue to enjoy Indonesia until July 14 when I will fly to Europe and meet my companions for the next 12 months.

This is a long commitment , but I’m thrilled about this upcoming experience. I’m planning on going home for a couple weeks around Christmas so I will be home again before too long.

Now I’m off to get paperwork and visas in order!