The Au Pair USA program is more than just a childcare solution for busy families—it creates opportunities for genuine cultural exchange and lifelong connections. The story of Marianna, a 26-year-old au pair from Puglia, Italy, and her host family demonstrates how this program can transform lives and create bonds that extend far beyond the au pair program’s official duration, which is usually one to two years.
The Perfect Au Pair / Host Family Match
Finding the right host family is crucial for any au pair’s success. For Marianna, like many others, the prospect of moving to a new country brought considerable anxiety. “Before being an au pair, I was so scared to come to the USA and find a family that wasn’t good,” she recalls. “I was scared to go into a rematch and change (my) family or go back home.”
Her host family, consisting of Eleanor, Pierpaolo, their 3-year-old son Elio, and baby Valentino, had their own specific hopes for the program. As Eleanor explains, “We wanted someone to join our family that we could trust and have close to us, and who would be a real part of our family.” With Pierpaolo’s Italian heritage, they specifically sought an Italian au pair who could help maintain their children’s connection to their cultural roots.
During the interview process, Marianna stood out immediately. “She was the best!! Mature, interesting, kind, humble and seemed genuinely interested in meeting us and joining our lives,” Eleanor shares. This initial impression grew into a deeper relationship that extended beyond typical host family-au pair bonds.
The Au Pair and Host Family Bond
Since Marianna’s arrival in May 2023, she has become an integral part of the family. “I love my host family because they treat me like a real member of the family,” she says. “They respect me, respect my space and my free time. I love that they respect my working hours without ever exceeding them.” This adherence to program rules and regulations is particularly important, as it creates a foundation of mutual respect and trust.
Marianna’s relationship with baby Valentino has been very special. Having cared for him since he was just one month old, their connection grew so strong that “Marianna” became his first word!
A Christmas Surprise
The depth of their connection became clear during a Christmas celebration on December 23rd. During the festivities with extended family, Marianna surprised her host family with a poster asking to extend her stay for another year. Their response wasn’t just an enthusiastic “yes!” And they had a surprise of their own: asking Marianna to become Valentino’s godmother.
“I will remember that day for the rest of my life,” Marianna recalls, her voice full of emotion. “We all were happy and crying tears of joy.” This moment transformed their relationship from a temporary childcare arrangement into a permanent family bond.
On March 9, 2024, both families gathered in Cormons, a town in northern Italy, for Valentino’s baptism. The celebration beautifully merged both families and cultures. Marianna’s family traveled from Puglia, bringing traditional dishes like focaccia, mozzarella, and stracciatella, creating a feast that celebrated both the spiritual occasion and their newfound family connections.
Looking to the Future
The end of Marianna’s au pair program won’t mark the end of their relationship. “I will always be present in Valentino’s life,” she affirms. “I will come back and visit him after my 2 years of au pair, they can come to Italy and visit me ALL THE TIME, WHENEVER THEY WANT.“
Eleanor shares this sentiment with humor: “She’s stuck with us! We’ll bring the boys to visit her in Puglia, and she can come back to visit any time, and when the boys are older we’ll send them to spend summers with her.“
The Power of Cultural Exchange
Marianna’s story exemplifies how the Au Pair program can create lasting impacts beyond its primary goals. While the au pair program is designed to provide childcare while promoting cultural exchange, in cases like Marianna’s, it creates something even more valuable: lifelong family bonds that span continents and cultures. When both host family and au pair approach the experience with openness, respect, and genuine care, the rewards can far exceed expectations, creating connections that last a lifetime.
