Understanding the highs and lows of au pair life

For those facing the same problems, she recommends leaving as soon as possible. ‘It’s not honestly worth your mental health,’ Omokhua adds. But not everyone has experienced the same hardships — one of her friends had an amazing time in Italy. Sometimes, it’s just luck.

In five to 10 years, Omokhua sees herself making successful films in France. Unfortunately for her, the UK left the European Union at the beginning of the year, which has laid down more obstacles than ever before for au pairs.

According to new rules, skilled workers, including nannies, who are from outside the UK, now have to earn a minimum salary of £20,480 a year. But Omokhua says she was making €1.30 an hour, which was €80 (£68) a week. That’s not even a fifth of the minimum wage.

‘Brexit has ruined my life,’ she says. ‘I’ve dreamed of moving to mainland Europe for as long as I can remember but I fear it will be hard now.’

Sophia Gelibter, from Swedish Connection, an agency matching Scandinavians to families in the UK highlights the difficulties that this political departure has created.

‘Since Brexit, no EU au pairs have been able to enter the UK,’ she says. ‘It’s a real blow to many host families across the UK now undergoing a new school year with no childcare.’

And of course, she continues, it’s a real shame for those who have dreamed of moving to the UK for an au pair adventure for years.

Gianna Taccone, the chief executive officer of Euro Placements, an Italian-based recruitment agency for au pairs, is striving to help with this storm of new changes.

From the UK, to South Africa, to Germany and Australia, Taccone finds women and men eager to help children learn from all over the world. When there’s a problem, it’s her job to intervene and find out exactly where things have gone wrong.

Sometimes it’s a cultural difference or a question of homesickness, but other times it’s because the relationship between a family and an au pair is missing something. Either way, it’s up to her to settle things, and ensure that both sides of the relationship are as happy as possible.

Taccone is busier than ever at this time of year, especially now that things are opening up again and she is dealing with the aftermath of Brexit. But she keeps a positive attitude. ‘Getting to know enthusiastic candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and pinpointing their potentials,’ she tells me on her favourite part of the job.

Notwithstanding people like Taccone, however, Begna believes au pairs ‘need to be more recognised’ by both the government and their agencies.

Omokhua says that getting a higher pay is where it should start. ‘€80 a week should be illegal,’ she notes.

Koch says that most problems could begin to be solved with communication.

‘I see so many host families taking advantage of these young au pairs because they know that they are too shy to stick up for themselves and it makes me so mad,’ she adds.

‘Of course, having the confidence to stick up for yourself comes with time and experience and age, but a big point of our channel is to empower au pairs to know they have a voice and that their voice matters.’

For those looking to take the leap and become an au pair, Koch says it’s going to be ‘a year full of challenges, homesickness, and tears’. At the same time, au pairs get friends for life from all over the world, learn a new language, and become more independent than ever before.

While having a community to support you when times get tough is necessary, perhaps the biggest highlight to becoming an au pair is getting to learn so much about yourself.