Do you dream of living in Europe?
Of sitting in cafes, eating pastries and learning a new language?
If youre young, open-minded and love children, it could be your ticket to living abroad.
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Whats an Au Pair?
Youll also receive a small weekly stipend.
Au pairing originated in Europe more than 50 years ago with an agreement between European nations.
Your stay abroad would be temporary, usually lasting a maximum of one year.
Au Pair Requirements
Au pair candidates are expected to meet certain requirements.
Working at daycare centers or babysitting family members are two examples.
Speaking of COVID, some countries continue to restrict foregin travel due to the pandemic.
double-check your country is accepting visa applications.
Finally, get the visa and passport process under way well before you leave the U.S.
It can take several months to process your utility if demand is high.
What Is an Au Pair Expected to Do?
Au pair duties and work hours vary depending on the host country and family.
Every family is different, Fleckenstein said.
You might be in charge of anything from triplet infants to two teenage girls.
Generally, au pairs provide child care and perform household duties totaling 20 to 40 hours per week.
Here are a few resources:
How Much Do Au Pairs Earn?
Au pairing can be a great way to spend a year living, working and learning abroad.
But pay is minimal.
I got paid more working two days a week there than five days a week as an au pair.
Saving up money before you leave the U.S. can make a big difference, Hall says.
I came to Australia with $300 to my name, she says.
There are other costs to consider, too.
Also, your student loan payments dont go away just because you live overseas for a year.
Oncestudent loan forbearanceends and federal loan payments resume, youre responsible for paying them while living abroad.
The amount of pocket money au pairs receive varies widely, but it must meet each countrys minimum standards.
Many host families will pay for half of your plane ticket there.
Others may also pay for your bus pass, cell phone bill or language course.
What Should Au Pairs Expect?
The au pair experience is one of a kind but is it right for you?
Heres what a few former au pairs have to say.
However, you should go into an au pair program with realistic expectations.
Taking care of children is hard work.
You dont always know what youre getting into until youre there.
Selecting a Host Family
Remember, youll be spending an entire program year with these people.
A little research can go a long way, Alex Butts says.
Shop around and explore your host family options.
I spent hours on Au Pair World Im talkinghours.
I exchanged emails with several families and Skyped with about five.
Explore your options and your heart will lead you the right way.
Isolation
When choosing a family, location should be a primary factor, explainsRachel Ward.
There are plenty of costs youll encounter during your au pair stay, like public transportation.
Negotiatingexpenses like this lets you keep more of your pocket money well in your pocket.
I would have saved so much money if I had a bus or train pass, Russell says.
If theres something you want, ask in the beginning.
Its a whole lot less awkward than asking once youre here.
You dont want your fun cultural exchange program to turn into glorified slave labor.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.
Former staff writer Susan Shain contributed to this story.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
