The role of an au pair is much more than that of a child care or domestic assistant. The term au pair is in fact a French term meaning “equal to,” which gives some insight into the role. Rather than working for a family as an employee, an au pair is intended to become part of a family for a temporary period and be treated as a family member. In return, the au pair will help out in the family with duties such as child care and housework.
For this reason, working as an au pair abroad can be a particularly good opportunity to experience a new culture. The information below will help individuals to decide whether an au pair position is suitable for them and how they should go about finding a host family if they decide to seek au pair work.
Why Become an Au Pair?
There are many reasons why someone may choose to become an au pair, but the main one is that it is a good, cheap way to see the world and experience a new culture while enjoying the benefits of free accommodation and food. Working as an au pair is a good opportunity to really experience a different culture as one will be generally will be experiencing life as a native, as part of a family.
Another advantage of becoming an au pair is that one will usually have plenty of free time to go sightseeing. Although the au pair will have daily child care and domestic duties to fulfill, most families are quite flexible and understand that their au pair will want time to travel and enjoy themselves. On top of all this, au pair work can also be a very rewarding, enjoyable and interesting job for those who enjoy working with children.
The Downsides of Being an Au Pair
Although there are many advantages to being an au pair, the job is certainly not for everyone. First of all, for those looking to make a lot of money, au pair work is not the best option. As au pairs are provided with food and accommodation, the pay that they receive will be minimal. Individuals also need to think carefully about the job itself, as even those who have an interest or experience in child care may not be prepared for what exactly the job entails.
First of all, the child may not speak the same language as the au pair, which can make the job quite challenging and frustrating for both child and au pair. Secondly, the au pair will not be able to simply “hand the child back” at the end of the day, as the au pair will be living within the same home and will be expected to respond to the child (as a brother or sister would) whether she is officially within working hours or not. Consequently, au pairs are never officially “off duty” while they are in the home.
It is this closeness of the au pair and the host family that can be the greatest difficulty of the job. Individuals should think carefully about whether they will be comfortable sharing a home with relative strangers. They should also bear in mind that they will be living with their “employer,” as it can sometimes be difficult to get this balance right between being an “employee” and a family member. Essentially, the most integral part of the au pair job is making sure that the prospective au pair selects the right family so that both au pair and family can truly enjoy the experience.
Find the Right Host Family
Au pairs should firstly decide how they want to look for a family. There are two fundamental methods to choose from: joining an agency or searching independently (with a website such as Aupair World). An agency will perhaps give more security and assurance, yet choosing independently could give the individual more freedom and it is often an easier and cheaper method to use.
The first decision individuals will need to make is which country they wish to work in. Most people will already have an idea of this but if not, good things to consider are visa requirements (these can be found on Aupair World), language skills and climate. Next, individuals will need to narrow down the list of families.
First of all potential au pairs should consider what they are willing to offer. Are they willing to do housework? Are they willing to cook? What age child do they want to look after? How many children would they be willing to care for? They should then consider what it is they want to get out of the job. Is money important to them? How much free time do they require? Do they want to be in a big city or small town?
These things are all very important, however the most important thing to consider is the family itself, as ultimately families can be responsible for the happiness of an au pair. Individuals should therefore not be afraid to ask the family as many questions as they need to before they make their decision. They should ask about the child, ask about the family, ask to see photos, talk on the phone, get references from past au pairs (if possible), and get as much information as possible to help them find a family whose interests and expectations match their own.
Enjoying Life as an Au Pair
Ultimately, au pair work can be incredibly challenging, but it can also be an extremely enjoyable experience. Potential au pairs should remember that families come in all shapes and sizes, so they should get all the information they can before choosing theirs. By making sure they have a clear idea of the pros and cons of the job, as well as of the family they will be staying with, individuals can fully prepare themselves to ensure they make the most of their time abroad.
