Resiliency is defined as “the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.”

In 2019, I had the privilege of attending my first WETM-IAC in Luxembourg. At the time, I was new to the au pair industry and operated my agency independently. Upon arriving at the conference, I was struck by the vast number of agencies involved and the impressive longevity of many in the industry. During the Annual General Meeting (AGM), we celebrated agencies that had been part of the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) for 10 and even 20 years.
20 years in the au pair industry! It seemed like such a rare achievement, perhaps due to luck.

However, I soon realized that it wasn’t luck that had sustained these agencies over the years; it was something much deeper—resilience.

The au pair industry is shaped by factors often beyond our control, including government policy changes, generational shifts, and evolving travel trends. While some of these changes benefit our industry, many require agencies to remain agile, constantly adapting their programs and communicating updates to both clients and au pairs.

A significant example of this occurred during the 2020 global pandemic, which tested us all and pushed us to our limits. It also served as a reminder that, no matter how resilient we are, sometimes perseverance alone isn’t enough. We were forced to bid farewell to some of our steadfast colleagues—particularly our UK-based agency friends, who were already facing challenges brought on by Brexit.

So, what truly makes an agency resilient?

It’s the same force that brings us together at events like WETM-IAC: the collective belief that what we do is meaningful and necessary. We share the profound joy that comes from hearing an au pair describe how their year abroad transformed their life for the better. We experience the deep satisfaction when a host parent shares how their child has benefitted from their au pair’s presence.

Despite the challenges, the impact we make is worth every effort.