Delicious Food & Fun in Spain: S’s Week
One of our au pairs, S, is spending her year with a host family in Spain, and she shared this week’s diary entry with us — equal parts family life, a Madrid weekend trip, and some seriously good food.
What were you grateful for this week?
I was grateful for my host parents’ support when it comes to me traveling on the weekends. They are giving me tips and suggestions about places and I find that very helpful.
What was the most challenging part of this week?
This week was challenging because I found myself feeling very tired from the weekend in Madrid. So, I had to do my best to fight through my sleepiness and still be engaged with the family and the activities we did.
Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week.
A wow moment I had this week was when my host mom was very stressed out about cooking and cleaning. I offered to take the kids to the park so that she could clean and cook in peace.
Tell us about your week!
This week was a short one because we got back from Madrid on Wednesday. Before we left Madrid, we had churros and chocolate and it was so good! We saw the Palacio Real, the cathedral, Plaza Mayor, and the crystal palace. We also got Five Guys and Starbucks, so that was really funny!
The girls had school Thursday and Friday, and then it was the weekend.
On Saturday my host dad said we were going to have “brunch” with friends. I was super excited because breakfast isn’t big here, so I thought we were going to have a big breakfast for once! When we got there, it was actually just a barbecue in the street. Everyone had their own table and chairs, and they grilled meat right on the ground — it was like a huge cookout, and something I’m not sure happens anywhere else.
Then on Sunday, my host dad’s parents and brother came over and we had paella. It was so good — probably my favorite thing I’ve had to eat since I’ve been here, besides the churros.
Starting this week, I don’t have to pick up the older daughter until 2pm instead of 1pm, so I’ll have more time to explore the town and sightsee.
FAQ: Au Pair Life in Spain
Do au pairs in Spain get weekends off to travel?
Yes — most au pair schedules are built around weekday childcare hours, leaving weekends free for trips like S’s visit to Madrid. Exact time off is agreed upon with your host family before you arrive.
What kind of food will I try as an au pair in Spain?
Every host family and region is different, but classics like paella, churros con chocolate, and Sunday family meals are a common part of daily life for many au pairs placed in Spain.
Will I get along with my host family’s extended relatives?
Many au pairs end up spending time with host grandparents, aunts, and uncles, especially around weekend meals. It’s a natural way to feel more woven into the family and practice the language.
How is Rome Abroad different from applying on my own?
Rome Abroad matches you with a vetted host family and supports you throughout your placement, so you have guidance in place rather than navigating logistics alone.
If weekends exploring places like Madrid and family dinners full of paella sound like your kind of year abroad, an au pair placement in Spain could be the perfect fit.
Part of the Rome Abroad team helping young women live and work abroad as au pairs since 2015.
