The Contract

What have I signed up for exactly? Well, the contract is fairly easy to understand. I will be a temporary family member for the most part. I think this will definitely be more of a cultural experience. I will get pretty much the whole third floor of their house (which includes a bedroom and a desk area!), free food, a monthly bus card, and an all expense paid language course! I will also be paid around 300 euros a month, so its not a bad deal eh?

As far as work is considered, my contract says that I will be working about 6 hours a day, that I will have 4 evenings off, and one day every week. I'll be taking care of the girls (duh!), taking them to school and their activities, doing any fun things we come up with, and a bit of light house work. My host family has a housekeeper who will be doing all the cooking, thank the lord because I am absolutely hopeless at creating a decent meal... Die Frau (the Mrs. in German) informed me that they travel during every school vacation which means (drum roll please!)... I will have that whole time to myself! She told me I could gladly stay at the house during that time, but I think I will do a bit traveling myself. I definitely want to see Berlin in the next year, maybe I'll go visit my grandparents who live about 3 hours away via train. My host family is also paying for a Christmas flight home to San Diego! How amazing is that?!

So as far as I'm concerned, I think this is a pretty good deal. Now I know I won't be rich or anything but this next year is not about making money. My host family seems very nice and I think we will get along well. They send me an email every few days which makes me want to get there even faster! Overall, I am very satisfied with my contract.