au pair info.
what is an au pair?
"A young foreign person, typically a woman, who helps with housework (and/)or childcare in exchange for food, a room and pocket money." Well that sums it up nicely.
how do i find a job?
1. The internet!! There are a few really great au pair websites out there. You make a profile and can search the country you want to au pair in for potential host families. I personally like Great Aupair. It is normally free for the au pair to find a family on this type of website.
2. Agencies. I've noticed there are a few small agencies, normally in larger cities, who match au pairs with a family. This is a good option if you are slightly weary, they always screen the families and hopefully try to find the best match for you by taking your preferences into consideration. Either find an agency in your home country or work with one in your destination country. Check out Au Pair Link if you are looking at coming to New Zealand.
2. Agencies. I've noticed there are a few small agencies, normally in larger cities, who match au pairs with a family. This is a good option if you are slightly weary, they always screen the families and hopefully try to find the best match for you by taking your preferences into consideration. Either find an agency in your home country or work with one in your destination country. Check out Au Pair Link if you are looking at coming to New Zealand.
do i need a visa?
Yes! The visa requirements and regulations change for each country, even within Europe, so I recommend doing a bit of research about visas for the countries you are interested in. Some countries, such as Germany, have "au pair visas" which are relatively easy to obtain. Some visas you need need to organise in your home country, other times you can just wing it once you're there..Sometimes you have to do both (Italy, I'm looking at you).
how much do i get paid?
It varies so greatly between city, country and family. You should always get your own bedroom, free meals and some pocket money. Some families will pay for the flight or half of it, some may pay for a language course (which are ridiculously expensive in Europe!). In Western Europe the minimum wage for an au pair is normally 80 euros per week, but this can change depending on the country and how many hours you work. Minimum au pair wage in New Zealand should be $120 NZD per week.
what is a typical day like for an au pair?
Au pairs do not work full time hours. They may help the children get breakfast and get ready for school, drop them off, do some housework. Often they have a big chunk of spare time until after school. The au pair might help with homework, play games, cook dinner and assist with the bedtime routine. Every family is so different it is hard to say what you will be expected to do. Make sure you fully understand what the family expects of you and vice versa before you make a commitment.
should i be an au pair?
There are pros and cons to au pair-ing. Take some time to think about what you truly think you can handle. Can you really live with someone else's family? What age range of children are you comfortable looking after? How many children can you handle? It's really important to find a family you communicate well with and feel comfortable in. I understand it's hard to know just by talking to someone a few times, so trust your gut instinct, think logically and critically before you make any big decisions.
If you want a relatively cheap way to explore a new country, to immerse yourself in a different culture and have a love for children then being an au pair is for you! I have made some amazing friends and memories traveling as an au pair. Though I've been in some difficult situations I have come out stronger and more confident. I don't believe being an au pair is suited to everyone. But, if you are even considering it as a viable option I fully encourage you to investigate your options further. You absolutely must like children, they are a huge part of your au pair experience.
If you want a relatively cheap way to explore a new country, to immerse yourself in a different culture and have a love for children then being an au pair is for you! I have made some amazing friends and memories traveling as an au pair. Though I've been in some difficult situations I have come out stronger and more confident. I don't believe being an au pair is suited to everyone. But, if you are even considering it as a viable option I fully encourage you to investigate your options further. You absolutely must like children, they are a huge part of your au pair experience.
other advice?
1. Living situations vary greatly. If you don't want to live with a family, it is possible to find live out positions. Normally the family pays the rent of a small apartment near their home.
2.Make sure you sign a contract and if the family is not upholding their end of the agreement, bring it up. Talk about potential problems before they turn into a big problem!
3. Don't give up tooooo easily. It will be challenging, and there will be days you just feel like screaming. But hold on, once you get over the first month, and you are into a routine and understand what's expected of you, life becomes much easier. Many au pairs leave just weeks (sometimes days!) after arriving.
4. Having said that, if you are in a truly unpleasant, unhappy situation then please do try to find another family. If you are completely underpaid, overworked and disrespected it's time to consider moving on, AND THAT'S OKAY!
2.Make sure you sign a contract and if the family is not upholding their end of the agreement, bring it up. Talk about potential problems before they turn into a big problem!
3. Don't give up tooooo easily. It will be challenging, and there will be days you just feel like screaming. But hold on, once you get over the first month, and you are into a routine and understand what's expected of you, life becomes much easier. Many au pairs leave just weeks (sometimes days!) after arriving.
4. Having said that, if you are in a truly unpleasant, unhappy situation then please do try to find another family. If you are completely underpaid, overworked and disrespected it's time to consider moving on, AND THAT'S OKAY!