To say I was excited was an understatement. Terrified, too. I had never been overseas and had no idea what to expect when I arrived. I had only known the family a couple of weeks and now I was considering leaving everything and everyone I knew to live with them in another country.

Once I had made the decision to take the plunge, things moved remarkably fast. I applied for my passport and visa and my flights were booked as soon as I was given the green light. Within a few weeks I was on my way to what would be a defining year of my life.

New York back then was amazing. I was in love with the city. It was only two years after September 11, 2001, and there was a feeling of community and unity there. I visited Ground Zero when it was still rubble with tributes set up all around. It was amazing, sad and surreal to see the sheer scale of the tragedy. I can't even imagine how horrifying it would have been for all those experiencing it first-hand.

I was lucky to be living and working with an amazing family. They were Australian, which I think helped me feel at home. They took care of me while also pushing me to try new things. I loved my three charges and I still follow their lives through social media.

I met many other nannies from all over the world and they became my lifeline over there. I travelled with the family to Italy, Florida and went skiing in Montana. My sister was living in the UK at the time and we visited each others' temporary homes. I had my first serious relationship with an American from Ohio and we travelled to San Francisco and LA together.

I look back on this time as one of the best years of my life and I can't help feel a little sad that the US and New York may never feel the same again.

I always felt so safe there and everyone was incredibly welcoming. I would love to go back. It's been almost two decades and while many of my favorite places are no longer there, it will always be a special place for me.