2_3_DiscoverBenelux_Issue14_January2015_Scan Magazine 1 26/01/2015 19:14 Page 13
Discover Benelux | Feature | Au Pair Amsterdam
With their personal approach, Au Pair Amsterdam is the perfect agency to help you get the greatest cultural experience.
Connecting cultures Living among locals is one of the best ways to experience a foreign country – for example as an au pair. Embarking on this type of cultural exchange can seem daunting, but Au Pair Amsterdam is keen to assist host families and au pairs to get the most out of their journey, in a personal and approachable way. TEXT: MYRIAM GWYNNED DIJCK | PHOTOS: AU PAIR AMSTERDAM
Au Pair Amsterdam offers two services: matching host families across the Netherlands to a suitable au pair from abroad and helping au pairs find the perfect destination in China and soon other countries such as Thailand. Founder and director Li-iy Lu says: “We pride ourselves on our personal approach and we go much further than many others in this industry. We guide and support families and au pairs throughout the process, from the first moment of contact through to the end of the programme.” Four years ago Li-iy started the company to give families and au pairs a much more rewarding experience. “I love having au pairs stay with us, we’ve had people from China, Thailand, Russia, America... but I noticed there wasn’t always proper support for them,” Li-iy says. “I thought that was so strange. That’s why I founded Au Pair Amsterdam.”
Working together with agencies around the world, support is never far away: Liiy will try to appoint a local contact or stay in touch with au pairs herself through Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp and other means of instant communication. She says: “I get so many messages from people who had a fantastic experience. That’s why I do it. Many families, after their first au pair, will sign up with us again and continue their au pair experience year after year!” Li-iy also runs a separate venture helping people from the Netherlands to have a cultural experience in China as a teacher, trainee or au pair for a minimum of three months. Li-iy: “I grew up in the Netherlands with Chinese parents. After I did a six-week cultural trip to China I wanted other people to experience this amazing country too.” Anyone with a fair level of English and an interest in China can do this. Also here, Ly-iy guarantees the same
optimum level of support and has many trusted contacts throughout the country via an officially licensed Chinese agency. www.aupairamsterdam.com www.letsgo2china.com
Multi-cultural immersion To become a live-in au pair you need some experience working with children and must be between 18 and 31. Host families with (young) children can let Au Pair Amsterdam make a match or suggest someone themselves. Au Pair Amsterdam can help with visa applications and administration, orga nise information days and offer local support. It is affiliated with the national industry agency BONAPA and is an officially recognised sponsor by the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND).
Issue 14 | February 2015 | 13