CULTURAL EXCHANGE IN FAMILY SETTING
The au pair experience is a rewarding cultural exchange program for a young person looking to get the chance to earn and learn in a family setting. Your time in language classes is combined with practical daily conversations at home.
In exchange for helping out with childcare duties and light housework, you are welcomed as a member of the host family and given full board accommodation and pocket money.
So, unlike learning a language in a full time language course, this program is very affordable as your pocket money usually covers your expenses such as language classes.
Learning another language and having an understanding of another culture is a real PLUS on your CV and the best way to fluency is to live in the country for longer and be truly surrounded by the language. In Europe, speaking good English is expected now for so many jobs!
Now the au pair program is gaining popularity with young people in Britain wanting to go to Europe. Many European host families speak sufficient English so that you can be au pair even with limited knowledge of their language. As you grow more confident you can learn from each other!
For a safe and successful placement with expert support in your host country - make sure you register with a reputable agency in your own country first.
If you are in Britain and are looking to be au pair abroad, make sure you register with an agency who is member of The British Au Pair Agencies Association, a non-commercial association whose code of conduct protects the au pair experience as a rewarding cultural exchange programme.
Here are some suggested agencies in different location in Britain for you to contact if you would like to be au pair abroad. All are BAPAA and IAPA members and place offer placements in the UK as well as various European countries and also further afield in destinations such as the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
Youth Programme