Dr. Ruth Campbell
Au pair Ecosse - agency for Au pair in Scotland, UK
Why choose Scotland? What our au pairs say:
Runner up to The “IAPA Au Pair of the Year” award 2011. Read Nadine’s account of her year in Scotland with the Murray family
"Everybody is really nice and friendly, of course I thought people would be friendly, but not like this”
“I have fallen in love with Scotland and Edinburgh and will absolutely return here. Scotland is stunningly beautiful and Edinburgh has the perfect mix of good nightlife, cafes, culture and beautiful buildings. And the fact that there are loads of parks makes it even better”
"It's totally awesome. It's the best! It's amazing that Scottish people keep their traditions like that. It's funny and friendly."
"You should go to a Highland Games while you are in Scotland. Why? Because there are men in kilts everywhere and you can hear bagpipes all the day.
It's a very unique atmosphere - especially the massed pipe band which opens the games."
My daughter Alice in France ( 2011)
"My daughter Alice spent a fantastic year with a family in Macon thanks to you and Magali. Her French came back to her in no time at all and she now speaks fluent French with no English accent! Living away from home for a year has really helped her confidence and much more able to cope with University life away from home."
Experience of Eva who arrived in Scotland in 2005 (before my agency was established)
When I came to Edinburgh in August 2005 to become an Au Pair my English wasn’t exactly good and I didn’t really have an idea what to do. My first experience, unfortunately wasn’t either usual or pleasant; for half a year I lived in difficult conditions – the house was constantly freezing and I was hungry, as the family was trying to save money on heating and food. When the personal relationships became difficult as well, I decided to leave (although I do must admit that I wasn’t a good Au Pair in that time either). When I left their house, I had to reconsider what I actually wanted to gain from my experience abroad, what I have to offer and what I have to give up. I realised that being an Au Pair is not a holiday in a different country, and that developing a good relationship with my host-family (which can take some time and effort) is an essential part of my job.
I was lucky to find a new family from Stirling very quickly through Ruth. As a typical townie, I had thought I couldn’t live in middle of nowhere but soon I started to enjoy my new life-style of a country girl and this was thanks to my host family. I think that being an Au Pair is about flexibility and patience.
Very unlikely you will have a set time of working hours. If your family needs you, it is polite to help them out – as well as they may sometimes give you more time off when you need it. I would be sometimes engaged in ‘non Au Pair’ work in my spare time – such as helping to run my host family’s business. In return they helped me with my English and actually encouraged me to apply for an undergraduate course here at Stirling University. I am very thankful for that, we became so close friends and although I don’t live with them any more, I still visit ‘my kids’ often. We even spent last Christmas together!
Maybe my experience was not the usual one but I can ensure you that even you’ll find yourself in interesting situations which were not described in Au Pair brochures. These situations will help you to grow into adulthood.
