“An au pair year is supposed to be just a chapter in your life. But in reality, it feels like an entire lifetime lived in fast forward.”
That is exactly how I would describe my time in Iceland.
Not a single day here was comparable to my life in Germany. From the very beginning, I was welcomed with such warmth that I immediately felt like I belonged. It all started with the matching phase with my host family, an exciting and sometimes challenging time where you begin to grow beyond yourself, learning to stand up for yourself and trust your instincts.
Then suddenly, you arrive in the country of your dreams: Iceland, the land of fire and ice. I lived in the north, in Húsavík, a place known for its calmness, nature and unique atmosphere. There is hardly anything more beautiful than being an au pair in such a family oriented and open hearted country. My host family was incredible. Without exaggeration, I can say I had the best time of my life.
Now, at the end of this journey, I am the one saying: “Leaving home to go home will forever be the weirdest feeling.”
Because Iceland has become my home. These people have become my family.
Even though you might not expect it, Iceland can bring a cultural shift and I was often proven wrong in my assumptions. The culture is incredibly diverse and different from Germany but in such a refreshing way. Icelanders are incredibly warm and open, which made it easy that I did not speak Icelandic at the beginning, almost everyone speaks very good English and naturally switches languages. It was especially beautiful to see how quickly my host children learned English, they are already almost fluent.
At the same time, Iceland gives you space to reconnect with yourself. Surrounded by breathtaking nature, where every place seems more beautiful than the last, you find a kind of peace that is hard to put into words. Whether it was watching countless waterfalls, going whale watching, riding Icelandic horses or diving into the Silfra fissure, every experience felt special.
In the end, it is the people who make it all. New friendships, traveling together, laughing and exploring, those are the moments that stay. There is nothing more beautiful than watching children grow up and knowing that you are a part of what they learn and who they become.
Because I felt so much like part of the family, it never really felt like work. I truly enjoyed spending time with my host children, playing with them, going on trips and being part of their daily lives. The trust that was given to me made everything even more meaningful.
Of course, there are moments of doubt, especially in a country like Iceland, where the weather can sometimes be challenging. Iceland is a land of contrasts, of extremes. The love you develop for this country and its beauty is just as intense.
My host family had a summer house and a farm, which made the experience even more special. In the nine months I spent there, my host children became like siblings to me and my host family became my second family.
There is an Icelandic saying: “Þetta reddast.” – “Everything will work out in the end.”
This feeling follows you throughout your entire journey.
One piece of advice I would give, choose your host family based on your gut feeling, not the location. You live with these people, spend your everyday life with them, go on trips together and share important moments like birthdays, Christmas or other family events. Especially when you are far away from home, it is so important to feel truly comfortable and at home with them.
I also really appreciated having the support of Nínukot during my stay. It simply gave me additional security, knowing that I could reach out anytime with questions and receive quick support.
I know that I will come back to Iceland again and again because I want to visit my second family there because in the end it is not just the beauty of the country that stays it is the love you experienced the connections you built and the person you became along the way.
Sincerally, Lyn Bergemann
Photos from Lyn´s stay in Iceland
