Meet Viviana, a former au pair from Neiva, Colombia who matched with her host family in Maryland back in 2018. Even before her two years in the USA, Viviana knew she wanted to pursue a career in political science, but becoming an au pair gave her the confidence and independence she needed to make her dream a reality.

We at Cultural Care were lucky enough to talk with Viviana about her time as an au pair, her many accomplishments, and her goals for the future. Read on to learn more about this inspiring former au pair and the advice she has for au pairs just like you!

To start off, can you tell us a bit about your time as an au pair? Where were you and what was your family like?

Sure! When I found the program, I was studying political science in Colombia and finishing my bachelor’s degree, so I saw it as the perfect opportunity to develop my English skills, have a cultural experience, and grow my career path.  I started my au pair life in a Jewish family with two beautiful girls and I felt very familiar with them, even though we had cultural differences. It helped me to understand how to be comfortable with different cultures very quickly.

I love that. So, being a recent graduate, how did the education component of the program motivate you? What classes did you take?

So, from the beginning I knew I wanted to take classes at Georgetown. The fact that I could take classes as an au pair really motivated me, and it was great. I took intensive English, Business Communication, and TOEFL preparation courses. I was grateful that my host parents supported me in this. It was a little bit challenging for them because they had two other au pairs before me, and they were just taking courses close to the area, and Georgetown was an hour away, but I wanted to study there and they understood my position. I was always communicating with them, and they wanted to help me grow.

It sounds like you found a great family to support your goals! Can you tell me a little more about your professional accomplishments in the US?

Sure. During my stay in the US, I volunteered for non-profit organizations including catholic charities and the International Spy Museum. I was also accepted as a speaker at the 26th World Congress of Political Science. At the end of my two years, I applied to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an internship as a political scientist at the Colombian Consulate in Washington D.C. I later received it after returning to Colombia.

What was that internship like?

The work at the consulate was amazing. It was like the biggest experience that I have ever had, and now it’s something that’s helping me find a job as a professional in the field. It’s important to recognize what the au pair program did because it was a step I wouldn’t have had if I were just in Colombia. I wouldn't be here talking to you right now.  It's great to see how other young people ask me for advice—like sometimes they ask me: how do you apply for an internship, Viviana? How was the process? So yeah, it has helped me to help others see how being an au pair is a great opportunity to go abroad and get out of your comfort zone.

On that note, what advice would you give to other au pairs who are interested in a similar path?

What really helped me was to make a plan. Like before being an au pair, I already knew that I wanted to be here for two years and study at an American university and look for opportunities in my career path. When you are already in the program, always be looking for opportunities. So, if you see an opportunity to study after class in whatever thing is going to be helpful in your career path, just do that. I did a lot talking with all different people. And I would say always go in with a positive attitude and be resilient because life is not perfect; it's not always a straight path.

Thank you so much for that. Finally, how do you think you grew from the au pair program, personally and professionally?

I would say personally I started to be more mature. I had the opportunity to experience cultural exchange and I will say that it helped me a lot to be more open minded—seeing another country, another language, another culture. I just came to the United States after university, so I didn't have professional experience, but I built that while being there.   Right now, it's helped me to be grateful and understand that you need to work for everything. And it's more special that way. So, I know that this is not the end. I am just starting to build my life academically and professionally. A lot of things have changed in my life plan, but I've learned to keep going and stay focused on my goals.