October 19, 2018, I am 30,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean on Singapore Airlines flight 708 to Tokyo, Japan. There was a sense of urgency to get off the 12 hour flight and see what Asia had in store for me, but there was also a sense of caution. Me, myself and I, alone in a city of 35 million people, no one to lean on for help with directions and no one to go to restaurants with. I just had myself, 6,700 miles away from home and I am loving every second of it.

Here are her 5 tips when one is considering to be an Au Pair:

“Gazing into the future, as far as the eye can see, somewhere in a far distance, the wind is blowing. I can’t hear what it's saying, I sense it. A movement in my soul is awakened - trembling with wild anticipation. I feel like I am flying, but my feet are on the ground. I can’t see what’s beyond the horizon - but I can feel it.” It was about a year ago, I sat down and penned these words. Je suis parti sans motif. I left without a reason or cause. Have you ever been called to do something or felt led to go somewhere but in your head, it makes no sense? A year ago I decided to use GeoVisions to go on a trip of a lifetime. It was one of my best decisions! The agency never ceased to amaze me with their proficiency. Two weeks after submitting my documents I found my host family, and they welcomed me in their home and treated me like family and their extend family showered me with kindness and love. We were friends and worked as a team and they’ve allowed me to treat their kids as if they were my own and being with them never felt like a job rather a privilege to love and nurture.

A past boss once said to me, “There are two types of people in this world, way makers and excuse makers- which one are you?”  At the time I laughed and didn't think much about it. Then one day I couldn’t stop thinking about the comment and thought deeply to myself, “Which one am I?”

Rachel graduated from the University of Connecticut this past May and didn't go abroad her 4 years at UCONN because she couldn't fit it into her schedule and graduate on time. She wanted to study abroad for a semester, and just couldn't make it happen. Now that she's graduated, she wants a year off before starting a career and she wants a portion of that year to be working abroad. Rachel spoke to me a few days ago about her goal to travel abroad and make a difference. She was frustrated because we were the third organization she spoke to. (I told her I wished she'd have thought of us first.) She couldn't remember what other organizations promised her, the different benefits and she wasn't 100% clear on what she could do and if she could afford an experience like this. Because there were so many options for her, I think she "overdosed" on information. I showed Rachel how following only 3 crucial steps would get her to where she wants to be, doing what she wants to be doing, and positively impacting lives permanently.