K’s Last Weekend in Italy: An Au Pair’s Final Check-In
Every week, our au pairs abroad answer a few simple questions for us — what they’re grateful for, what’s been hard, and what’s surprised them. Near the end of a placement, those answers start to hit differently. Here’s what K shared during her last week as an au pair with her host family in Italy.
What were you grateful for this week?
Family — both her blood relatives and the temporary Italian family she’d come to love. “Family (blood-relatives and this temporary Italian family).”
What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week?
Honestly, not much. “I really don’t think I had anything that felt extremely difficult… I guess homework was my biggest struggle, hah.”
Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week.
She helped the oldest child in her host family study for an English exam by making custom worksheets he could practice with — a small moment that stuck with her.
Her Last Week, In Her Own Words
This week I had two of my cousins fly in to Italy on Thanksgiving, which was such a crazy thing — mixing my dream life here in Italy with family back from home. I felt so privileged being able to introduce them to the friends I’ve made and take them to all of my favorite spots for coffee and breakfast.
We visited Milan for the second time in these last three months — it was the second place I went with my host family. It’s kind of perfect the way it worked out: visiting Milan as the intro to our three-month journey, and the last place we visited to close it all out.
I’m trying not to get all emotional about it, because you really do develop the craziest feelings for the families you live with. It’s going to be really hard for me to leave. This week is about packing up my things, saying goodbye to the friends I’ve made, and trying to keep my cool around the kids.
Her advice for future au pairs: “Don’t just soak up all the cool trips — soak up the experience you have with the family and kids you’re spending all your time with. It really is such an amazing opportunity to be an influence on these kids and allow them to influence you in return.”
Stories like K’s are exactly why we built our au pair program in Italy around real host family placements — the trips are memorable, but it’s the day-to-day life with a family that tends to stay with people longest.
FAQ: Life as an Au Pair in Italy
What does a typical week look like for an au pair in Italy?
Most weeks blend childcare responsibilities — like homework help and school pickups — with everyday family life, plus free time to explore the local area or take weekend trips.
Do au pairs get to travel while abroad?
Many au pairs use days off and school breaks to explore nearby cities with friends or visiting family, alongside their day-to-day life with their host family.
How emotionally attached do au pairs get to their host families?
Very — it’s common for au pairs to describe their host family as a second family, which is part of what makes saying goodbye at the end of a placement so bittersweet.
What’s the biggest piece of advice from past au pairs?
Focus on the relationships, not just the sightseeing. The bond with the host family and kids is often what alumni say they miss most.
If stories like K’s make you picture your own last weekend with a host family in Italy someday, we’d love to help you get there.
Part of the Rome Abroad team helping young women live and work abroad as au pairs since 2015.
