All posts tagged: Au Pair

Warning Signs You’re not Ready to be an Au Pair

Published by Jenn

  This post contains some of my most valuable knowledge about au pairing. It addresses you. The following needs to be considered with real thought and honesty. Your answers are critical to finding a compatible family. Happy au pair, happy kids, happier home. What is my time commitment? Consider things like upcoming academic endeavors, how long the host nation will permit you to work for and how long you can afford to go for. Be realistic about how long you would like to be abroad. Be firm. If you don’t want to commit to a full year then don’t! It is a long time to be somewhere when you don’t necessarily want to be in that somewhere for that long.  Your time commitment should be a deal breaker. There are plenty of families to choose from. It’s kind of like dating and this is certainly one aspect of (in)compatibility. Conversely, if you are looking for a 1+ year placement then leverage that commitment. I’ve never met an au pair who was crazy enough remained with one …

How to Find the Perfect Au Pair Host Family

Published by Jenn

  You’ve decided you want to au pair! How exciting.  Family hunting is really exciting. When in your life have you ever decided to so drastically change your lifestyle? Savour the experience, be picky and communicate with a lot of families, and frequently. Real communication too. Don’t just email; you need to make telephone calls or Skype at least twice before departing. But before you even start liaising with host parents take ten minutes to seriously consider the following. Trust me, once you know your parameters you can better search for compatible families. 12 Things to Consider Before Picking an Au Pair Host Family Kids |Too many, too young, too close in age to you? Timing | How long do they want you there for and does this mesh with your commitment? When do they want you to start? Is this possible? Visas | Some families prefer EU citizens for visa purposes. Nationality  | Some families actively seek au pairs from a certain nation or region so that their children learn a certain language (which you are expected …

Au Pairing: How to Travel the World for Free

Published by Jenn

Up until my early twenties all of my independent travel sprang from au pairing. My first experience was in 2007 during the gap year between high school and university. It was the first time I travelled internationally and I did it alone at that. Touching down in Zurich I was hoping that the whole thing wasn’t a cruel joke and that indeed there would be a family at the gate to greet me. And there they were. My second au pair experience was a four month contract in 2010 in northern Germany. Yet another positive experience. Living overseas has had a fundamental impact on my personal growth and au pairing made it possible. I would absolutely recommend it to young adults looking to travel internationally.  Among a wealth of learning, I no doubt attribute my present day domestication to the fact that I was preparing mid-day meals for a family of four at age 18. When I graduated high school many girls in my community were arranging au pair gigs in Europe, which is how I …

Late Night Inspiration

Published by Jenn

11:11pm (aka: 23:11)* *I.e. later than I should have gone to bed already Introductions are overrated and in the best interest of me going to sleep soon (I’m sick!) we’re going to make fast friends. “Hi, I’m Jenn. I’m a Canadian spending my Summer ‘break’ in Celle, Germany.” [Vigorous handshake here.] Long story short, I am au pairing for a phenomenal Germany family in this romantic, yet sleepy, city. This is my second au pair experience. Three years back I spent 7.5 months in the very romantic, yet sleepy village of Bonaduz, Switzerland. I will admit, I am at a slight disadvantage at present. My German is less than stellar, though tolerable to most who dare converse with me. This brings about my first observation (which was inspired by a friend). North Americans are language snobs. We know that the international language is English, so why strain one’s cerebellum when everyone in Country X can understand you just fine? Certainly, they must want to practice their English skills – oder nicht? Unglaublich! But of course, you …