Becoming an au pair: how to prepare properly?
An alternative to traditional language stays, the stay young au pair It combines several benefits: learning a language with a local family, earning some money, and becoming more independent. It also implies a minimum of preparation before the trip, as explained by Languages and Travel, a language travel agency, and by some participants who have completed the program!
What exactly is an au pair stay?
The principle is simple: as an au pair, you take care of children on a daily basis and perform certain household chores such as clearing the table, emptying and loading the dishwasher, folding laundry, etc. In exchange, your host family provides you with food, accommodation, and a small amount of pocket money, as you have neither an employment contract nor a salary. You will receive a minimum of around fifty euros per week for full-time work (no pocket money for part-time au pairs).
The advantages of an au pair trip
Autonomy, guaranteed progress in the target language, and comfort: becoming an au pair offers several significant advantages. Women aged 18 to 30 are eligible – sometimes men too – for a minimum of three months up to a year. In reality, young women are often given preference. Furthermore, being available for as long as possible will increase your chances of attracting a host family. England, Spain, Ireland , Australia, or even New Zealand – there's no shortage of au pair destinations for a multi-month stay . But regardless of the country you choose, thorough preparation is essential.
Au pair: How to prepare properly?
Leaving for the right reasons
It goes without saying that loving children is essential. But the real reason lies elsewhere. For example, don't be afraid to say that you haven't chosen the right career path and that you want to go abroad during this time to return (almost) bilingual. Then, start your studies upon your return, as was the case for 18-year-old Aude, who recently went to Dublin with L&T: "I started studying to be a primary school teacher, but I didn't enjoy it. So I decided to stop." Are you a recent graduate? Perhaps you don't yet have the required language skills to land the job you want… Any reason is valid as long as you can justify it. Languages & Travel, however, recommends this type of trip after secondary school rather than after university studies.
Have a minimum level of English
Understanding the host family's instructions to avoid endangering the children, being able to call a doctor in case of injury… Organizations require a minimum level of A2. In reality, an intermediate level (B1) is more likely. Consider taking a placement test to maximize your chances, but rest assured, you're not expected to be perfectly bilingual at this stage. Of course, the goal of young people going on au pair stays is to learn languages. "In four months, I went from B1 to C1," says Aude.
Prepare a good application
Host families will receive your application before making initial contact. To impress them, all means are valid: letters of recommendation (from previous host families where you've babysat, from any summer camps you've attended), photos of you with children , etc. Depending on the requirements of the host families in your chosen country, the application will need to be more or less comprehensive. For Ireland, for example, Aude wrote: "a cover letter explaining what I enjoy doing, where I'm from, and my previous experience. I also sent letters of recommendation from parents I'd babysat for and from a former teacher."
Preparing for the meeting with the family
A meeting will usually be arranged beforehand with the family, either via Skype or email. This is a way to ensure that your expectations are compatible with theirs. Akoya, a young Belgian currently working as an au pair in Sydney, advises, for example: "Be well-groomed, but don't appear too casual in the video." Also, consider preparing some questions to better understand your future family's expectations and how their daily life works.
Au pair stay abroad: a truly enriching program
For Akoya, this experience has been truly enriching: “I’ve become much more responsible than before, I’ve improved my cooking skills, I’ve become more organized, more resourceful with many practical details of daily life.” Aude readily agrees: “Before leaving, I was reserved. Now, I take it easy, I’m more confident. This trip has made me more independent and broadened my horizons.” To strengthen their language skills, many young people decide to supplement their studies with daytime classes, like Aude, who took two hours of classes a day. It’s also a great way to meet other young people from all over the world!
What is a demi-pair stay?
Being a demi-pair isn't about doing things halfway! 😉 It means working fewer hours with your host family (around 20 hours on average) in exchange for room and board. Generally, you don't get pocket money in this case. The advantage of the demi-pair program is that you'll have time to take language classes during the day. All the demi-pair programs offered by Languages&Travel combine a minimum of language classes with au pair work. It's the ideal option because, from a linguistic point of view, you're guaranteed to improve thanks to the classes and the practice within the family; it's also a great way to fill your time and avoid boredom if you're a full-time au pair. For these two reasons, Languages&Travel highly recommends the demi-pair program over a full-time au pair.
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