08 Apr Ask an Au Pair: Claire finds places that remind her of home
This week, we asked Claire, a 24-year old from Minnesota. She is living in a studio near her host family in Levallois, just outside of Paris. Here are excerpts from her responses:
What inspires you about Paris?
The peacefulness of Saturday and Sunday mornings in Paris
What do you dislike most about living in Paris?
The high concentration of people and the style of driving.
How do you improve or master your French language skills?
You have to study it, outside of speaking with your host family or doing homework for class.
What is the best meal you’ve had in Paris?
I have had some really good meals in Paris. The best were steak or duck with mashed potatoes.
What is your favorite café?
Loustic in Le Marais (Editor’s note: Loustic is an old French word, translating to “smart alec.” Check out more about the café <link to http://www.goodcoffeeinparis.com/2013/09/cafe-loustic.html>)
What is your favorite shop?
Naturalia, a store that specializes in organic and natural products in the Paris region
What is your favorite secret Paris spot?
There is a place on Ile de la Jatte where I like to run that has a boardwalk and is really peaceful. It reminds me of home.
What advice would you give to incoming au pairs?
Leave all assumptions behind. This job is one of the strangest you will ever do. You are an employee, family member and guest all at the same time with your host family. It helps to have people who are in the same and different situations that you can talk things through with.