I am from USA and I got a job as an au pair in copenhagen... it's for one year and I only get 5 weeks of full vacation to travel. From your experience would you recommend doing a RTW tour or taking a job for a whole year and exploring when you have weekends? This is cool since I get every weekend off to explore Copenhagen, but at the same time I don't feel like I am as a free as I would be if I just backpacked and wandered for half a year or so. Has anyone ever worked as an au pair? Do you know anything about the weather in copenhagen? Which one is better, working as an au pair for a year or work in corporate drudgery for a bit and then freely wander about europe and asia? Thanks for your input!

Well, I've done one, but not the other, so I can't offer a comparison, but I can tell you about my experience.

I was an aupair in Paris for a year right after I graduated from high school and I LOVED it. Ok, so the family I worked for was crazy, but I loved the chance to be in one place for such a long time.

I actually lived out near Versailles, but commuted into Paris to attend classes at the Sorbonne each morning. That was key - I never would have met anyone else my age without that. Plus, I became totally fluent in French during that year.

I went on just a tourist visa, so I had to leave the country every 90 days - which meant a trip to Barcelona, a trip to Geneva, a trip to Brussels and a jaunt through the Chunnel. I should have traveled more while I was there, but I didn't realize the chance I had.

Being in one place was key for me - the chance to make friends, to meet people, to really explore the city, to be there during all the seasons, etc... those were the best parts of it. Especially since it was my first time living alone, I'm glad it was in one place. Moving around too much would have been much harder and I'm sure I would have come home sooner.

Good luck on whatever you choose!

I was an au pair in the states for 2 years... and although it's a gerat job in terms of being able to travel, it has a few drawbacks!

You must ask yourself if you are prepared to practically raise someone else's kids for a year... it can be very challenging, especially in a country with a different culture to your own! The job can get very lonely as well... as caramia said, the only time she met anyone new was when she attended classes. I only met a handful of people i could call friends... it got lonely at times! Your host family is also a big factor... mine often didn't stick to the rules set out by the agency and i landed up working more than i should've, so if you do do the au pairing make sure they don't walk all over you!

The job also has benefits... travel is a big one, and if you get in with the right family who travels a lot... you could be doing loads of travelling!! Spending a long period of time in one place is also great... you get to live like a local! Also the kids are a great benefit... i got very attached to my twins and after almost 2 years i still miss them dearly!

Au pair vs corporate... as far as flexibilty and less stress goes, i'd choose au pair!