From early morning school drop-offs to bedtime snuggles, au pairs are a huge part of many families’ day to day routine.
These close relationships allow au pairs to form a support network that takes some of the stress out of living abroad. These connections also encourage kids to expand their horizons, as au pairs often find ways to stand up for issues they care about.
You’ll Learn a New Language
When you’re an au pair, you will be exposed to a new language on a daily basis. This will help you pick up words and phrases much quicker than learning from a book or in a class. But don’t get discouraged if you’re not fluent right away. Learning a new language can take time and it’s important to focus on enjoying your au pairing experience and bonding with your host family.
You will also have the opportunity to travel abroad and immerse yourself in a new culture. This will give you the perfect environment to learn a new language and gain a deeper understanding of the people who live there.
Your host family will appreciate that you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and embrace their culture. This will show them that you are a good candidate for the role, as they are looking for someone who is eager to learn and grow with their family.
Children will be excited to have an au pair in their home and they can benefit from her native language skills. They can use books and songs to learn their au pair’s language, as well as ask questions about her home country and customs. This cultural exposure will help kids become more accepting of others and better understand their differences.
Au pairs are often more affordable than hiring a nanny or daycare, as they provide room and board in addition to a salary. Plus, many au pairs are fluent in more than one language, which can make it easier for them to communicate with children in the host language. Language learning apps, such as HelloTalk, can also be a great tool for au pairs to use in their spare time.
You’ll Make New Friends
A lot of young people choose to become au pairs because they want to see the world and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures. Living in a new place will give you the opportunity to meet a lot of people and make lifelong friends from all over the world. Those friendships will be invaluable as you continue your adventures abroad after your au pair stay is over.
Being an au pair can be a bit of a lonely experience, especially in the beginning when you’re still figuring out your routine. You’ll likely have a hard time understanding the local language and will feel overwhelmed by the fact that everything is new. The good news is that there are many other au pairs who will go through the same thing as you and can offer support. Many agencies organize au pair meet-ups or social events where au pairs can talk about their experiences and meet other people who are interested in the same things.
Many of these people will end up becoming your friends for life and you’ll have a group of like-minded people to travel with or seek out advice from after you leave your host family. You’ll also make local friends as you get involved in the community by joining clubs or groups for your hobbies. For example, if you love dancing or a particular type of sport, ask around for any local clubs that may be available to join.
Being an au pair can be a stressful experience, but it’s also one of the best ways to see the world and immerse yourself in another culture. You’ll be able to live in the home of a local family, learn a new language, and take care of children.
You’ll Get a Job
Many people become au pairs for a variety of reasons. It could be that they’re stepping out of their comfort zone, they want to learn a new language, or even just take some time to reassess their career and life choices. While au pairing does provide a lot of great experiences, it’s not for everyone. And for those who do it, they may find that working with children isn’t their passion after all.
One of the most important skills an au pair will learn is balancing work and life. While nannies, daycares and babysitters typically only operate during the eight-to-five workday, au pairs can often get out and explore their city or region in their spare time. They can also get one full weekend off each month, which allows them to enjoy more free time with their host family.
As an employer, it’s important to ask the right questions during interviews so you can determine whether or not your au pair will be a good fit for your family. For example, if your au pair will be working with young children, it’s important to know how they would handle an emergency situation like a child being sick or having a behavioral meltdown. Look for answers that mention positive reinforcement, redirection, and other effective discipline strategies.
In addition, be sure to ask candidates about their experience with scheduling and planning activities. This will help you gauge how effective they will be at keeping track of daily tasks, preparing children for school and other outings, and managing their own time. Using a tool like TestGorilla can help you assess an au pair’s time management skills as well.
You’ll Gain Experience
Aside from learning a foreign language and travelling to exotic locations, being an au pair also offers many real-life experiences that you will be able to use in your future careers. For instance, the ability to adapt to a new situation and manage daily tasks can help you prepare for many different career paths. And the skills you learn while being an au pair will also be beneficial in your everyday life – from managing your relationships to handling responsibilities.
In addition, the experience of living abroad is often a powerful way to discover more about yourself and your interests. It can help you become more self-sufficient and mature, and it may even inspire you to follow a new path in life. For example, if you are an au pair and work with kids, the experience may make you realize that working with children is really what you want to do for a career. This will give you the courage to move forward with your dreams and pursue a career as a teacher or a counselor.
If you’re considering becoming an au pair, it’s important to consider the big picture and what your goals are for this yearlong experience. It’s not a step that should be taken lightly, and you should do your research to find the right fit for you. You’ll be glad you did! After all, being an au pair will change your life in more ways than you could imagine. It’s an unforgettable adventure that will remain a part of your memory for the rest of your life. You’ll never forget the places you’ll go and the people you’ll meet! Are you ready to begin this adventure?
You’ll Have Fun
Many au pairs become an essential part of their host family, and it’s easy to see why. They take care of children, cook meals, run errands, and help the kids with homework and other school-related tasks. They are also there for kids when they have to leave for activities, games and lessons. And they have plenty of time to create and nurture friendships with the local community because they live in one place for an extended period of time.
Having an extra set of hands around the house is a huge relief for parents who want to go out and have fun or do something productive. Au pairs also know the area well, and can take the kids on day trips to explore the region. This saves money on childcare and reduces the risk of the kids getting sick with colds or viruses from overcrowded daycare facilities.
Most au pairs like to get out and socialize with friends, and will often find themselves making connections with people from their home country who are living in the same area. This is a chance to meet new people, make some lifelong friends, and learn about the culture of their new home.
According to expertaupair.com, moving to a new country and living with a different family is an incredible experience that teaches a lot of skills. It shows a great deal of courage and ability to adapt to change. Plus, the language skills you will gain can open up many job opportunities in your future. So if you have ever considered becoming an au pair, don’t let the horror stories in the media put you off. If you do your research and choose a family carefully, the positive aspects of this type of childcare far outweigh the negatives.