Friday 13 July 2012

A Child Working Overseas - a Parent's View

Like all parents, we are interested in the future and the well-being of our children.  We want them to gain experience and insight as they grow up so they are prepared to take on the future.

The reason I am writing this letter is that I put my faith and trust in Marilyn Vansnick and her organization Scotia Personnel to assist in finding employment in Europe and providing all the information regarding paperwork that would be necessary so my daughter would be able to work there.

Like any parent I was at first skeptical however they were able to provide lots of support and testimonials confirming others and their positive experience in dealing with Scotia Personnel.  I bow would like to add my support.  Scotia Personnel was professional, courteous, always there to answer any questions, and coached my daughter all the way to make sure all the steps that were necessary for her to be able to have employment overseas for the summer were executed promptly.

I would recommend that anyone considering using their service should have no fear and be confident that Socita Personnel will do their best to make sure that your son or daughter will have consideration as mine did.

John Pizzacalla

28 comments:

  1. Hi john, thanks for posting this. My daughter was looking to go abroad with scotia personnel too. I find this very comforting.

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  2. Yes, our children, no matter what their age, are so very precious.

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  3. I did a kid's summer camp as a camp leader in the UK through Scotia Personnel and had a summer of a lifetime! This was my first summer away from home but I met young people from all over the world including people from Australia, New Zealand and Europe. The team from Scotia Personnel were great and just wanted to thank them again!

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  4. I am so excited I cannot wait I am going to do my second program in the United States.I had a wonderful time in Europe.This should be a blast again.How I like to travel and work with children.Thank you Richelle and everyone at Scotia Personnel.

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  5. Scotia Personnel came to Algonquin College discussing their different travel and work opportunities, and through them I got to spend 1 year working at a Hotel in London, England after I graduated. The experience was unforgettable and the staff was friendly and super helpful. My friend and I got placed in great hotels close to each other and together we were able to travel around Europe and had an amazing time! Because of Scotia Personnel I got to spend my 20th birthday in Madrid, and was able to meet and live with people from all over Europe. I had a great time, and am looking forward to doing another program through with them!

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  6. My daughter is going through this process right now. They are wanting us to send money if she is hired today after her Skype interview. I find this a bit strange and would like feedback from anyone out there who has gone through this. Did you send money? Thanks Maggie Murphy

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  7. Hi Maggie, Scotia Personnel came to my class at Algonquin College. With the help of Marilyn and her team, my friend and I were able to travel and work in England as soon as we graduated college. Yes, we had to pay a program fee, but in the end it was definitely worth it!
    I spent a great year in England making friends, travelling Europe and working at a beautiful hotel right on the Thames. I am now back at school in Nova Scotia and Marilyn has helped me get a job here while I'm in school!

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  9. I was an Au Pair in Washington, DC. Both the parents were architects, and the children I cared for were 18 months, and 6. My experience in the United States was something I will never forget. I made life time friendships with people from all around the word, some of which I am still in contact with after 2 years. I had the opportunity to travel the Unites States during my time off. It opened my eyes to a new world, and changed me for the better. When I moved home a year later, I was struggling with finding the right job for me. I called Scotia Personnel and they helped me find a job as a Nanny in my home town, where I currently live and work. I care for two children again, ages 1 and 6.

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  10. So inspiring reading about people's experience. I would like to share my story. I had the pleasure of working with Scotia personnel through my experience as an au pair one year in the states and following with six months in China. I've always dreamed about traveling and experience another culture but never knew how or where to start. I heard from college school mates and family and friends about this angency so naturally this was the way to go. And I can't tell you enough how an amazing feeling it is to put ideas and dreams into reality.

    The Scotia personnel staff is very friendly, patient and incouraging when it comes to the process of getting ready to work and experience abroad. Any questions I had they reassured me and helped me through my process so I was one step closer to being abroad. The best thing was they share the excitement of your adventures and incourages to keep pursing them. I was blessed with two amazing host families and friendships with people despite having to part ways to our own countries once we where done, When the contract ends, we knew we would be life long friends despite the distance and time, cause sharing these kinds of experiences a hard to forget,

    I highly recommend jumping in and starting the processes right away, they will help you through the applications, interviews, questions and of provided reassurance when you feel uncertainty when leaving your comfort space (your country and home).

    I am still processing my Life changing experiences in just a short time period and i think I will be reflecting for the rest of my life , if it wasn't for this well established angency I may not have gotten to do all the experiences I got to do and for that I am very grateful.

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  11. I had the pleasure of working with Scotia personnel through my experience as an au pair one year in the states and following with six months in China. I've always dreamed about traveling and experience another culture but never knew how or where to start. I heard from college school mates and family and friends about this angency so naturally this was the way to go. And I can't tell you enough how an amazing feeling it is to put ideas and dreams into reality.

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  12. Back in 2013-2014 I was an Au Pair in England though the agency. They helped me every step of the way and made getting a job I loved very easy. I am very grateful for the experiences I had because of them and would work with them again in a heartbeat. If you are thinking of working with the agency I would love to answer any questions you may have!

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  13. Hi, i saw your review and i'd like to share my story as well.
    Being an Au Pair was the best experience of my life. If you like to travel, discover and have fun, that’s the best way to do it! I met extraordinary people from all around the world. It give me the chance to step back and see who I really wanted to be, learning about enjoying every moment of my life and seeing only the positive in everything.
    Leaving your comfort zone, families and friends to work in another country can be daunting but it’s worth it. The program organized all the necessary documents and arrangements and made it so easy for me. I spent one year in California with an amazing family caring for three little girls, twins of two years old and the oldest was four. My Host’s made me feel welcome and like a part of their family from the beginning. Together we traveled to Hawaii, San Francisco, Disneyland and France. Looking after the children both at home and on these vacations was challenging and rewarding. Kids can teach you so many things without knowing it, they are always living in the present. They teach you how to relax by doing finger painting or blowing bubbles in the backyard. They have so much imagination and can be so refreshing, they bring back the best memories of our childhood.
    After completing my year I felt extremely proud of my accomplishments. It was an excellent experience for personal growth. I am now studying Fashion at the University of Quebec in Montreal and attribute some of my success to the knowledge and experience i gained as an Au Pair. This experience changed my life and I would recommend it to anyone.

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  14. Scotia personnel is such a great company that gave me a great opportunity. I have always enjoyed traveling, expanding my comfort zone, learning new cultures, tasting new foods and making new friends. Thanks to Scotia Personnel I got to experience all of this ! Summer 2017 was one of the best time of my life, I got to work as an English tutor in Turin, Italy where I taught English and planned after-school activities for kids during the week. On the weekends I would travel around, I got to see different cities of Italy like Milan and Noli. I also got to see Champs Elysees and the Eifel tower in Paris, and the beautiful city of Lyon in France. I visited Zurich and Sion in Switzerland and also Brussels in Belgium. Eleanor Roosevelt could not have said it better “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Thank you Scotia Personnel for everything, I made memories that I will always cherish.

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  15. Scotia personnel is an incredible company! The vast opportunities they offer has something for everyone. They treat everyone like family from the moment you walk in their door. Creating opportunities all around the world with your safety being their number one priority. I could not say enough good things about this company.



    I just recently came back from tutoring in Italy and I wanted to share how amazing my experience was! It was honestly the best summer of my life and I am so grateful for every thing that Scotia personnel did for me; Thank you so much. I made so many friends while travelling who I am already planning on going to go see. The food was so good In Italy. I have done a fair amount of travelling but have never had an experience as authentic as this one. Living and working with a host family I picked up Italian so easily being completely immersed in it. Obviously the locals no all of the best spots and my host family was so excited for me to fall In love with their country that they took me everywhere. Paying for everything. They also took me to Switzerland and Germany so not only did I get to go to one country I got to experience 3. The two little girls will forever be like little sisters to me. I encourage everyone to participate one of the many programs offered the hardest part was choosing what country to go to. The experience was extremely safe and organized and I am very happy to have worked with Scotia personnel.

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  16. Scotia personnel is such a great company that gave me a great opportunity. I have always enjoyed traveling, expanding my comfort zone, learning new cultures, tasting new foods and making new friends. Thanks to Scotia Personnel I got to experience all of this ! Summer 2017 was one of the best time of my life, I got to work as an English tutor in Turin, Italy where I taught English and planned after-school activities for kids during the week. On the weekends I would travel around, I got to see different cities of Italy like Milan and Noli. I also got to see Champs Elysees and the Eifel tower in Paris, and the beautiful city of Lyon in France. I visited Zurich and Sion in Switzerland and also Brussels in Belgium. Eleanor Roosevelt could not have said it better “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Thank you Scotia Personnel for everything, I made memories that I will always cherish.

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  17. Working as an English tutor in Italy was an experience I won't ever forget. I would like to thank Scotia Personnel for the opportunity. Having the opportunity to live in Italy for three months was amazing. My host family was great, they were very accommodating, generous and welcoming, and the kids I looked after and tutored became like younger siblings to me, and made me feel like part of the family. They even invited me to stay with them again next year.

    When not working, I had time off on the weekends, where I would travel to amazing places around northern Italy, or hang out with my host family, where we would go on their boat around Lake Como, where we would swim, wakeboard, and occasionally watch fireworks. I also got to eat so many delicious foods as well as have ice cream or gelato almost every day, something I don't get to do in Canada.

    My experience working in Italy gave me the confidence to solo travel and I was able to meet new and interesting people, as well as getting to experience a different culture, cuisine, and environment that I hadn't before. I would definitely recommend this wonderful opportunity and experience. Overall my time in Italy, and working as a tutor was great, and I would love to get the opportunity to go back again.

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  18. Thank you Scotia Personnel for providing me the opportunity to travel to England and Australia for 1 year each to work as front desk agent at hotels. The landscape and history i saw abroad was rich and beautiful and i experienced their culture and local specialties. I had an awesome time working at the hotels! Thank you so much Scotia Personnel!

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  19. Thank you Scotia Personnel for providing me the opportunity to travel to England and Australia for 1 year each to work as front desk agent at hotels. The landscape and history i saw abroad was rich and beautiful and i experienced their culture and local specialties. I had an awesome time working at the hotels! Thank you so much Scotia Personnel!

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  20. I came across Scotia Personnel’s information on my university’s (Memorial University of Newfoundland) and couldn’t decide between Au Pairing or the Summer Camps. Both Richelle and Marilyn helped me decide what would be best for me and I decided on Au Pairing in Italy.

    A friend from University was interested in the program as well and after we spoke to Richelle and Marilyn they worked extra hard to place us with the same family! They made what could have been a terrifying, complicated experience into something easy and amazing. They allowed me to have the summer of a lifetime travelling around Italy (and visiting a few other countries). I’ll be back in Europe for school in the fall and I’m making a point to go back to Milan to see the family I was placed with – Scotia Personnel gave me the opportunity to meet new people who became my family and travel – two things I love most in the world.

    The whole team at Scotia Personnel were available if anything at all was needed, from the original contact to when I got back to Newfoundland. If I didn’t have to do courses this summer I’d be Au Pairing with them again – maybe in America this time to experience something new. I already have plans to do their China program in a year’s time when I finish University.

    I cannot thank them enough for everything they did for me – I’d recommend the company and their programs to anyone.

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  21. Hey my name is Shae-Lynn Way and I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to travel to Italy this summer and tutor children in English. I set off on June 19th and flew to Milan where I was greeted by two wonderful 8 year old girls and their families! Alicia and Chiara are best friends and I worked closely with both their families. With Alicia I travelled to Varenna, which is a small, quaint town on Lake Como, just on the southern side of the Alps! Varenna was definitely my favourite part of the trip. The views were absolutely breath taking and the overall culture of the town was very unique. I then travelled with Alicia, Chiara and their families to Livigno. Livigno is located right in the Alps, so the drive there was absolutely beautiful! Livigno is known for their ski slopes and trails so it was a wonderful place to get out and explore!
    During the day I would work with the girls for one hour on English homework. I would assist them on different activities in their work books and helped them if they had any questions. Throughout the day we would play and go on different excursions with their mothers. There was always something different and new everyday. This was a perfect time for me to communicate in English with the girls and have conversations out in the real world opposed to their work books. It wasn’t always easy, because of the language barrier but we managed to made it work and it was great stimulation for the girls English skills.
    On July 12th I unfortunately had to cut my trip short due to a sudden death in my family back home. On July 20th I was supposed to travel to Trento, Italy to stay for another month with a twelve year old boy named Luca who I would also tutor in English and travel with him and his family to the Dolomite Mountains. I was heartbroken to leave Italy and I am still so sad I never got the chance to meet Luca and his family! But I had such an amazing time while I was there and learned a lot . I gained so much valuable experience and was able to explore at the same time. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime and I can’t wait to go back and finish the rest of my trip next year!

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  22. Scotia Personnel Ltd provided me with an opportunity that was far beyond my wildest dreams. My overseas experience in tutoring English has allowed me to meet new people, travel to beautiful destinations and most importantly, teach English to a family by using different outlooks. The family I stayed with was wonderful, reliable and thoughtful enough to take me to my dream destination, Venice, Italy. So many great memories were made, and I hope to be apart of another overseas experience soon.

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  23. October 31st, 2016 is a day where my life changed. I was in my second year of the Social Service Worker Program in an 8 am class. I really thought I was going to skip school that day. I was not in the mood to be in class because I simply couldn’t figure out where my life was headed. However, I still went to class. To this day I am so grateful I did. Had I not been in this class, I never would have had one of the most amazing experiences in my life. That day I remember is the day where Scotia Personnel Ltd. came into our classroom and told us about the opportunities of working abroad. I gave them my form with my phone number and the rest is history. Not even a year later, I was beginning a new journey to be an Au Pair in the United States. Had it not been for Scotia Personnel and all their hard work getting everything ready for hiring and preparation for this incredible adventure I would have never been able to accomplish this on my own. They made sure I was in a secure program with loads of guidance and support through the transition to be in a new country. If you want to this amazing opportunity the people at Scotia Personnel Ltd. will not stop until you are on the plane bags packed and on your way to your new adventure. My year in the United States was the best experience in my life and had not been for that presentation in that 8 am class on October 31st,2016, I never would have had this experience of a lifetime.

    Thank You Scotia Personnel,
    Janelle

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  24. Being an Au Pair in China was surreal. I still can't believe I was there. I used to pinch myself sometimes, just to check if It was all a dream. My host child and I became sisters. I felt like we were twins sometimes. She's one of the cutest, and smartest child I ever met. My host family was very kind and down to earth. I miss them so much. This experience allowed me to be more independent and fearless. I've met amazing people, and made lifetime friendships along the way. China became a part of me. It was like a dream come true. Please take me back. I had the time of my life in China. I always had a passion for traveling, but never had the opportunity to do so until now. I'm forever grateful to Scotia Personal for an unforgettable experience. Thank you for you're support, for being understanding and patient Marilyn and Richelle. I recommend Scotia Personal to everyone!

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  25. Reaching out to ScotiaPersonnel has been a great experience. I reached out to them to find a childcare position and they placed me with an amazing family who I now consider great friends. Even on days I was not nannying, they always found me employment in daycares, and they always have great opportunities. It has been a wonderful experience and I definitely will keep working with them for employment and future opportunities.

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  26. Scotia Personnel allowed me to travel the world and live in places I never thought I would get to experience. I've had the opportunity to live in France and China and I've made friends from around the world as well as have experiences that I'll never forget.

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  27. I have worked with Scotia Personnel twice and have had a phenomenal experience both times. In 2016, I went to Palma Mallorca Spain as an Au Pair. They set me up with a wonderful family. My days would consist of waking up the 3 boys in the family, making them breakfast, taking them to the beach and then coming back to the house for lunch. During my weekends off, I would stay with the family because they would show me around the island. I still keep in contact with the family. In 2018, I went to England to work at a camp. The process of being able to work at the camp as a Canadian citizen would seem difficult but Scotia Personnel knew what needed to be done, how to do it , and when. They guided me throughout the entire process. I had the time of my life at the camp. On a day to day basis, my roommates and I would wake up and get breakfast. Each week we were given a group of kids. We would take them to activities throughout the day, eat lunch with them, and supervise them during evening activities. On off weekends I would go to London or just hangout with friends. At the begging of the camp I requested a week off in August. During that week I visited the family that I Au Paired for in Spain. I still keep in contact with the girls that I met at the camp. We always talk about how it was the best summer ever.

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  28. I started working with Scotia Personnel in October 2017. After hearing Marilyn speak at my college, I knew this was a company I wanted to partner with. At first contact, they helped me decide on what country I wanted to go to, sending me heaps of information about the destinations. When I decided to go to Italy, Scotia Personnel talked me through the process of interviewing with families. They checked in before the interviews and we discussed how I should present myself, key points about the family to take note of. Also, after each interview, they called again and we talked about what went well, what I liked and didn't like about the families, and what the next step would be.

    When a family and I decided on each other, Scotia Personnel helped me with all of the legal paperwork, signing the contracts, and applying for a visa. I can honestly say that without the help of Richelle, I wouldn't have been able to navigate the Visa process. Once I got to Italy, Scotia Personnel checked in on me several times throughout my 10-month stay, and ensured I had a smooth and positive experience!

    Scotia Personnel is a phenomenal company to work with. They are a highly organized and professional group of individuals who guide you through each and every step of the process to go abroad. Scotia Personnel patiently answers every question asked of them quickly and thoroughly. Throughout my entire experience with this illustrious company so far, Marilyn and her staff have been nothing but kind and informative. They were with me every step of the way, from picking a country, to interviewing with families, going to Italy, and returning home from my placement abroad. I highly recommend working with Scotia Personnel, and am looking forward to any future dealings I have with them!

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