General Information; Why you might choose the Au Pair Program?; Why become an Au Pair?;
What are Au Pair duties and responsibilities?; How you apply for Work Experience Au Pair?

The Au Pair Program was established as an educational and cultural exchange with a strong child care component. Program participants enter the country for up to 12 months to take care for the children of the American/European families in whose home they will live. At the same time, the au pairs are required to complete an educational component of six semester hours of academic credit or its equivalent. At the end of one year, au pairs return to their home country.

"Au pair" is French for "on par," reminding host families that, although an employee, their international visitor is to be treated as a member of the family. The rules are clear: au pairs are provided a private bedroom, meals, remuneration tied to the minimum wage, one and one-half days off weekly plus a full weekend off each month, two weeks' paid vacation, medical insurance and the first $500 toward the costs of required course work to be completed at an accredited institution of higher education in order to satisfy the requirements of the educational component of the program. Au pairs are not to work more than 10 hours a day/45 hours a week. They are not to serve as general housekeepers or assume responsibility for household management.

Work Experience will supervise that all au pair procedures will be followed.

Becoming an Work Experience Au Pair you decide to share your life experience and interests in taking care of the children as an opportunity to learn more about American/European life. Work Experience offers you some of the reasons to apply for this program:

• Improve your child care experience;
• Participate to educational language courses;
• Find out more about a different culture and tradition and share your experience with a host foreign family;
• Improve your English language skills;
• Travel abroad.

You love children and you are eager to spend an enriching year abroad and experience authentic American/European life as a trusted member of a host family.

You may be accepted by Work Experience if you:

• Are energetic and enthusiastic
• Are 18 through 26 years of age, in good health conditions.
• Enjoy helping children grow and develop, and are willing to enrich the lives of your host family by sharing your culture and traditions.
• Are a conscientious person who is willing to make a one year commitment to experience foreign culture by living as a member of an American/European family, and providing up to 45 hours of child care assistance each week.
• Have the high school diploma (12 years).
• Speak and understand the host country language
• Are mature, responsible and prepared to commit to 12 months away from home
• Be a non-smoker or be prepared to stop smoking if required by the host family.
• Have a valid licensed driver (in some cases)
• Have a complete Work Experience Au Pair application
• Are able to provide at least 2 non-related childcare references and at least 1 non-related character reference
• Pass a criminal background check
• Are not have been an Au Pair in the same country previously

All of these will be checked by an official Work Experience representative!

Below are some typical responsibilities you will have in your job as an Work Experience Au Pair.

• Provide up to 40-45 hours of childcare per week, but no more than 10 hours per day;
• Provide quality childcare: supervising homework;
• Help children get ready for the days activities;
• Assist with general child-related chores, such as laundry, tidying the children's bedrooms and play areas, and preparing children's meals;
• Driving children to school, appointments and extracurricular activities;
• Assisting with light household duties;