When you become an au pair, you will have many tasks and responsibilities. First, you must complete the paperwork and find your host family. Then, you must obtain your visa and prepare for your trip.
Family vacations are an excellent way for the whole family to relax and enjoy a new place together. However, an au pair’s requirements and schedule must still be met while on vacation.
Find Your Host Family
Many are interested in how to become an au pair. To become an au pair, start by researching reputable au pair agencies and selecting one that aligns with your preferences and goals. Once chosen, follow their application process, which typically involves submitting an application, undergoing interviews, and meeting requirements such as age, language proficiency, and childcare experience. Finding a family you feel comfortable working with is vitally important. If you’re incompatible, the Au Pair experience may not be as positive as you had hoped. Be open to advice from Au Pair matching specialists and your trusted friends and family to ensure you find the right fit. Attending an info meeting is also a great way to get information and advice from former Au Pairs. It would help to be prepared to live a different lifestyle and culture. For example, the Host Family may have a diet that differs from your own. If you’re worried about this, inform your host family and ensure they know your dietary restrictions. Lastly, you should know that building a relationship with your host family takes time. Be patient and respectful, as this is a mutually beneficial situation. Using an Au Pair agency is a good option for those looking to avoid the stress of finding a family on their own. Agencies handle the necessary paperwork and help ensure Au Pairs have a safe work visa. They can also provide a safety net in case your placement doesn’t turn out to be the best fit. If this happens, the agency can help you find a new host family or return home.
Obtain Your Visa
When you’ve found the right host family, it’s time to prepare for your visa interview. This is a critical step and is an opportunity for the au pair to learn more about the program and their future family. The interview process ensures the au pair follows all U.S. regulations and agency rules during their stay. In addition, the au pair’s interview is a chance to ensure that they understand their role in the host family and that both parties are on the same page regarding expectations. It’s also essential for the au pair to ask what types of things they can do in their free time. For example, if the au pair has always dreamed of seeing the Eiffel Tower, collecting information about the best times to visit the landmark would be helpful. It is also a good idea for the au pair to ensure their passport is current. The visa may be denied if it expires during their stay, which would be frustrating for both parties! Lastly, the au pair must ask if any additional documents will be required by their host country’s embassy, such as school transcripts or bank statements.
Prepare for Your Trip
You will have many opportunities to travel around your host country during your Au Pair stay. Your Au Pair program will pay for most of the costs associated with this traveling, including your return ticket home. However, there are some additional expenses you may incur. For example, you might need to rent a car to get to your host family’s house. Another expense is your meals. Depending on the host family, ask your Au Pair to contribute towards dinners when you are out as a couple or to cover the cost of trip admission tickets. If you bring your Au Pair along on vacation, ensure you discuss her role before the trip begins. This way, there is clarity on whether she will still be on duty.
Additionally, your Au Pair may require a special sleeping arrangement while away from the house and will need to know where her passport is in an emergency. If you need your Au Pair to provide child care while on vacation, she will still need to be paid her weekly stipend, which should also be communicated. If you have a good relationship with your Au Pair, taking her on vacation will be a fun and exciting opportunity for both of you.
Arrive in Your Host Country
It’s a big step to become an au pair. But you’ll feel confident knowing that a reputable program has helped prepare you for your adventure abroad. You’ll work as an integral host family member and participate in a mutually beneficial cultural exchange. The program will also set you up with a local coordinator who’ll guide you through your first days as an au pair, ensuring that all expectations are met and providing support throughout your stay. You’ll receive an orientation and attend monthly events to make your au pair year abroad the best yet! You’ll also be able to travel around your new home country with your host family. Many au pairs form close bonds with their hosts and often reunite long after their programs have ended. When you return home, you’ll have a lifetime of memories to look back on and plenty of new friends around the globe. Be sure to write a bucket list of things you want to see and do before your return. This will help ease the transition home so you don’t lose sight of your goals and dreams. Good luck with your au pair adventure.