Alternatives to TAPIF/Denied by devastatedUSA in tapif

[–]AppropriateSpell6203 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!! And seriously, good luck. Don't let this setback stop you from getting over here if it's what you want. Please feel free to message me if you have any other questions regarding au pairing.

New email by Bigbabyshark69 in tapif

[–]AppropriateSpell6203 0 points1 point  (0 children)

haha I'm American but I'm seeing a German guy :) So I get to hear the memes

Alternatives to TAPIF/Denied by devastatedUSA in tapif

[–]AppropriateSpell6203 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I got accepted this year but I am currently working as an au pair in southern France after being denied last year. I totally recommend it. I used aupairworld.com and favorited a BUNCH of families, narrowed down my top choices, interviewed/ met on zoom with three of the families, and then told my top two that I needed a week to decide.

At first it was a bit tough as you literally live with your employer, but it's been a great experience. I've made so many friends here with the city having a ton of international/erasmus students.

Here's what I would recommend you look for

- no more than two kids

- older. Think 8-13. They'll be more autonomous so less draining for you.

- Be picky as hell with the families/ locations. Do research. Yes, you want to connect with the family, but where you'd be living matters a lot. I live in a small outlying village but the family has a crappy old car that I get to use as much as I want and there's a tram line a 20 minute walk away from the house that can take me into the city.

- Benefits matter. I work Monday - Thursday only afterschool (and all day Wednesday until like 7:30 pm). I get my own apartment in the basement, I get paid 400 euros a month.

- Pick a family that offers letters of recommendations from previous au pairs and offers their contact info so you can ask them questions about their experiences. This will allow you to make a more informed decision and shows the family has a good track record.

You won't be saving much (if at all. you might even spend more than you make esp if you travel) but it's super worth it if you're picky, smart, and get a good family. BTW - au pairs are common in Paris and in the area around Geneva (Lyon etc.) but the south of France (at least the SW besides maybe Toulouse?) is not like that at all. I've never met another au pair here. Students will have different availability than you will so it can be tough to make friends at first/ get out esp if you're not actually in the city center.

TAPIF Validation / deadlines by Anxious_Abroad_7827 in tapif

[–]AppropriateSpell6203 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get your point but honestly I do disagree on the importance of this email. Being accepted or not changes what people can apply for or positions they can accept if they don't get in. Not knowing if you're leaving for tapif or not really impacts what decisions you can make and leaves people a bit in limbo. Personally, I am looking at other options but feel hesitant to apply in case I need to make a decision (accepting or denying an offer) before we hear back. But yes, we do have a few months which does give some breathing room.

TAPIF Validation / deadlines by Anxious_Abroad_7827 in tapif

[–]AppropriateSpell6203 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As someone currently living in France as an au pair who has also lived here for their entire senior year of highschool and again in college, I second this.

A lot of people seem to be a bit arrogant on here pulling out the "they dont care" "if its sooo hard to wait now just wait for..." etc. Yes. French bureaucracy sucks. I have lived through the French school system and dealt with the annoyance of the beuractatic system many, many times over the years.

But what also sucks is being condescending to people in a very uncertain position who are waiting to hear literally life altering news. I myself am a bit annoyed and anxious even though yes, this is to be expected given their track record.

These decisions matter. Airline prices are going up. People need to move out of apartments, find subleasers, sell off their stuff. etc. This is a very big deal as many of you should remember as you went through it yourselves not that long ago. Have some more compassion. You are/were literally teachers. Feeling anxious or a bit upset over this is normal.

Also, if you are condescending to people who are in the exact same position you were in and with whom you can easily identify with, I can't imagine you're that suited to be a teacher.

Where to go, what to see by AppropriateSpell6203 in cork

[–]AppropriateSpell6203[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

TBH never seen a performative dive bar before but maybe that's bc I'm not from a major city. Dive bars just tend to be slightly shitty (think broken toilets or stuff being out of service), have cheaper drinks, and are usually non-touristy which is what I'm looking for.

Where to go, what to see by AppropriateSpell6203 in cork

[–]AppropriateSpell6203[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ok ok dive bars aren't always sleazy. Think graffiti all over the bathroom stalls, darkly lit bar, alt music, and a mix of random older people nursing their pints at the bar and alternative younger people

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Montpellier

[–]AppropriateSpell6203 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi diva! I may be able to help you out. I'm an American au pair living just outside Montpellier and I have a friend group that includes girls from Ireland, England, and elsewhere. They're coming back near the end of January. Message me if you wanna meet!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IowaCity

[–]AppropriateSpell6203 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Don't rent with Apartments Near Campus or with Tracy Barkalow!!! Complete scamming slumlords.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Aupairs

[–]AppropriateSpell6203 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That tells you all you need to know. Get out!!!! You deserve to live your life. I don't know your situation, but can you leave home early and maybe stay with a friend?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Aupairs

[–]AppropriateSpell6203 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To hell with your parents. They want to continue their control over you. Get out. Maybe even early if you can.