Au pair gap year abroad

Internship, summer job or a sabbatical Au pair gap year abroad with international professional experience are a perfect step to boost your CV and cover letters. Indeed, a labor market increasingly competitive and subject to the laws of globalization, live, study or work abroad are absolute necessities for students and graduates who want to stand out.

Not only with this experience you will be fluent in a second language, but also prove that you do not have cold feet, and you are able to adapt to a new environment. From abroad bring an extra string to your bow. Discover our programs and take control of your future!

We offer a varied range of options to meet most students and young professionals attracted to multiple destinations. This is the opportunity to be integrated into the life of a host family for whom you will look after the children. Application upon request.

Travel, sharing the life of a family and take care of their children while being housed, fed, and earning a little pocket money is an efficient and smart way to discover a new country and improve a foreign language. Our au pairs are placed in carefully selected families under the supervision of our local leaders, and our host families should consider them as full members. This period may be for up to twelve months.

Being an au pair is what?

Is to share the life of a host family by providing child care and participating in light household duties (cooking, dinner, take the kids to school, help with homework, etc.).

In Europe , the time devoted to children and chores is about 50-50. in the United States , the work of the girl turns around more children and when domestic duties are required, they all have a link with them (clean their rooms, cleaning the kitchen after meals, take care of their machine, etc.).

What can I expect from my host family?

Stays are regulated by certain standards and all families must provide the same reception conditions. So your family is keeping you in a single room house, feed you for free and give you pocket money each week (the amount varies depending on the country of destination). The family must also give you a day and a half to two days per week, for which you are not obliged to be at home to watch the kids. However, it has the right to ask you one to two nights babysitting a week.

Outside of your working hours, you are free to go about your own business and organize your free time as you want, provided of course that your conduct remains responsible and is not embarrassing for your family.

What are my obligations as au pair?

The schedule is set by mutual agreement between you and the family, but in general, an au pair will care for children and the household help for 25 to 35 hours per week in Europe and by 45h week in the United States . Depending on the age of the children the main tasks will be: preparing children to go to school, driving children to school, homework help, babysitting during the day for younger children, games, meal preparation and other light household tasks.
It requires maturity, a great sense of responsibility, flexibility and goodwill. It will adapt to house rules and spirit of the family. You must learn to put the same level as children when playing with them, but we also know exercise authority when necessary.

How long do I have available?

In Europe, it is easier to find a family for long periods ranging from 9 to 12 months. United States, the compulsory period of 12 months. It is almost impossible to work only during the summer. Departures are held from January to December but it is easier to start in January and in September (September or October).

When should I start?

Times vary according to the records, the profile of the girl, her experience on the application site, etc.. It takes an average of two months to four months in Europe and the United States to start (based approaches for the visa). Family search starts from the time we receive the complete and research costs. We must keep in mind that placement in a foster family is never guaranteed: it depends on the quality of your file and your availability. However, if you are motivated, dynamic, and you have easy contact with children, you have all your chances! The arrival date is agreed directly with the family, who will welcome you to the station or to the airport closest to it .