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Beatrice grew up in the province of Alsace in a multi-cultural atmosphere. Her mother was Polish while her father was French. Both were academicians, language instructors, who influenced their daughter compelling her to learn as many languages as they had. She eventually learned 11 languages.
Although she went to the university, ostensibly to carry on the family tradition teaching languages, Beatrice, by chance, landed a “nanny” position caring for the children of a Swiss government official. The children spoke mostly Italian, inherited from their mother who hailed from the southern part of Graubünden which bordered Italy. Beatrice spoke Italian fluently, which put the mother quite at ease and it was this ability that led her to this first au pair position. The Swiss mother was an acquaintance of a family friend. During a casual meet, the mother expressed a need to find a nanny who spoke Italian, This led to a meeting with Beatrice that proved mutually beneficial for everyone.So, Beatrice postponed any additional post-university education opting to become an au pair, not so much because she aspired to the profession, but, as she learned during their initial meeting, the Swiss diplomat would soon be posted to Singapore. The idea of living in an exotic Oriental city excited the young Beatrice who rushed to the opportunity. Previous “baby sitting” experience had provided her with the necessary first aid and Red Cross CPR training plus she was the eldest of five and spent her youth watching out for her younger brothers and sisters.The Swiss children were a set of three-year-old twins and an 18-month old boy. Their mother wanted Beatrice to always converse in Italian since the girls were always speaking in this language. She said it was important for their little brother to hear their “native” tongue as much as possible.Also, Beatrice spoke English like a native Brit, an important fact since the main language for daily communication in Singapore was, indeed, English. Although her husband spoke the language fluently, mom spoke it haltingly, knowing having Beatrice at her side would be an asset.As children do, they grow up eventually beyond the need for nanny or au pair care. After several lovely years traveling to several different spots on the globe, Beatrice was back in France – but not for long. Her reputation as a loving, caring and multi-linguist au pair brought her a flood of offers that landed her another position with a French industrialist bringing his family to a new home in northern Africa. Beatrice was off on another international adventure.
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