What does a great au pair host family actually look like? For one Rome Abroad au pair finishing her summer in Italy, it looked like a host “Nonna and Nonno” who treated her like family, encouraged her to explore, and showed up for her on the hard days too. Her week-by-week reflections below are a real, unfiltered look at what that bond can feel like by the end of a placement.
Key Takeaways
- A strong host family relationship often shows up most clearly in the small, everyday moments — being included in family projects, not just meals.
- Homesickness and tough emotional stretches are a normal part of an au pair placement, even during an otherwise great experience.
- The friendships you build with other au pairs during your program can end up being as meaningful as the host family relationship itself.
- A supportive family back home — encouraging you to keep going through the hard weeks — makes a real difference in finishing a placement well.
- The end of a placement is a good time to reflect on both the challenges and the growth, not just the highlight reel.
A Week in the Life: One Au Pair’s Story in Italy
Rome Abroad au pairs regularly check in on how their week went — what they’re grateful for, what challenged them, and what stood out. Here’s one au pair’s reflection from near the end of her time with her host family in Italy.
What she was grateful for
Her experiences being in Italy, full stop. After months immersed in the culture and her host family’s daily life, that gratitude was still front and center.
The hardest part of the week
Being patient, and making it through the last few weeks before heading home. Anyone who has counted down the final stretch of a big trip knows that particular mix of excitement and impatience.
Her “wow” moment
Helping out in every way she could — including pitching in on redoing the lower floor of a new apartment for her host grandparents, Nonna and Nonno. It’s the kind of hands-on, everyday involvement that turns a placement from a job into a genuine family experience.
Reflecting on the whole summer
This summer has truly been one to remember. She learned so much while she was there — about herself and about Italian culture. Her host family was caring and loving from day one, and she expects to stay in touch with them for a long time. They constantly encouraged her to go out, explore, and learn new things about their culture, and they knew exactly when she needed extra support and love the most, especially during a stretch of homesickness.
“I could not have asked for a better family while spending my time here.”
She also met other au pairs on the trip who she plans to stay in touch with for a long time. Those friendships made the experience even richer, and she loved spending time and traveling with them.
Coming Home
By the end, she was excited to get home and share everything with her family, boyfriend, and friends. They had been supportive throughout, encouraging her to keep pushing forward even when things got genuinely hard — including some mental health challenges she hadn’t expected to face while abroad. She’s grateful for the people who surrounded her with support, both in Italy and back home.
FAQ: Host Families for Au Pairs in Italy
What is a host family relationship like on an au pair placement?
It varies by family, but many au pairs describe their host family as becoming a genuine second family — including them in everyday life, celebrations, and even household projects, not just childcare duties.
Is it normal to feel homesick during an au pair placement?
Yes. Even au pairs who have an overwhelmingly positive experience often go through stretches of homesickness or emotional difficulty, especially in the final weeks. A supportive host family and a network of fellow au pairs can make a big difference.
Will I stay in touch with my host family after the program ends?
Many au pairs do stay in contact with their host families long after their placement ends, especially when the relationship was close. It’s not guaranteed for every placement, but it’s a common and meaningful outcome.
Do au pairs make friends with each other during the program?
Yes — connecting with other au pairs is one of the most common highlights alumni mention, often becoming friendships that last well beyond the trip itself.
If a story like this — a host family that feels like your own, real growth, and friendships that outlast the summer — sounds like the experience you want, we’d love to help you find it.
Part of the Rome Abroad team helping young women live and work abroad as au pairs since 2015.
