Au Pair Impressions: Stories from Around the World
One of the most beautiful things about the au pair program is its diversity. At any given time, Sunshine Au Pair has au pairs from dozens of countries living across the Netherlands — each bringing their own culture, language, and perspective. We asked au pairs from Kenya, Spain, and Mexico to share what life in Holland has been like for them.
From Kenya to the Netherlands
Moving from Kenya to the Netherlands means adjusting to more than just the weather. The pace of life, the social norms, and the landscape are all dramatically different. But as our Kenyan au pair shares, the warmth of her host family and the community of fellow au pairs made the Netherlands feel like home faster than she expected.
What struck her most was the freedom. The ability to cycle safely anywhere, explore new cities on her days off, and experience a completely different way of life — these are things that looked exciting on paper but felt truly life-changing to experience firsthand.
A "Bropair" from Spain: Mario's Story
The au pair program isn't just for women. Male au pairs — sometimes called "bropairs" — are an important part of the community, and they bring their own unique energy to host families. Mario from Spain shares what it's like to be a male au pair in the Netherlands, how he connected with his host family's children, and why more young men should consider the program.
As a European au pair, Mario didn't need a residence permit, which made the process quicker and simpler. But the cultural adjustment was still real — Spanish meal times, social customs, and family dynamics are quite different from Dutch ones. He found that approaching every difference with humour and curiosity made all the difference.
Host families increasingly request male au pairs, especially families with active boys who benefit from a male role model. If you're a young man considering the program, you're very much in demand.
From Mexico with Heart
Mexican culture and Dutch culture might seem worlds apart, but our Mexican au pair discovered surprising common ground — a love of family, a deep appreciation for food, and a commitment to hard work. Hear her reflections on adjusting to life in Holland, building a bond with her host children, and the moments that made her feel truly at home.
She highlights something many au pairs discover: that the hardest part isn't the big things, it's the small daily moments when you miss the familiar. The sound of Spanish on the street, the taste of real salsa, the warmth of a Mexican hug. But those moments of homesickness are balanced by equally powerful moments of joy — a child's first hug, a Dutch sunset over the canals, a new friendship that feels like family.
What They All Share
Despite coming from very different backgrounds, every au pair in these stories shares the same core experience: they took a brave step into the unknown and came out the other side transformed. The details differ — the food they miss, the weather they struggle with, the cultural norms they had to learn — but the growth is universal.
That's the real promise of the au pair program. It's not just childcare abroad. It's an accelerated course in independence, resilience, and cross-cultural understanding. And the Netherlands, with its openness, safety, and international community, is one of the best places in the world to do it.
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