The term au pair, or nanny, is actually French for "at the equal." Basically, it is considered an equal trade between the au pair and the family. The family provides the au pair with room and board and usually a small salary or stipend, and in turn the au pair provides care for the children of the family.
The Benefits of Being an Au Pair
Living in Europe to take care of children as their au pair can be a fantastic way to learn more about another country. An au pair typically lives with the family that employs him or her, right away providing an avenue to improve language ability, gain firsthand knowledge of a country's culture, and make potential lifelong friends. If taking care of children in Europe sounds like an exciting opportunity, read on to find out about where to search for au pair programs.
Finding an Au Pair Program Through an Organization
The nonprofit organization InterExchange offers Au Pair programs in Spain, France (mostly Paris), the Netherlands, and Germany. Length of assignment, language requirements, monthly stipend, and work benefits vary from country to country; click on each program on the website for more details.
Each program does carry a fee, but au pairs will receive a monthly stipend and full room and board. The site stipulates that for France (as well as Germany and Spain) that au pairs must attain a certain language ability; visa conditions include taking a French class. The Netherlands carries no language requirement, though au pairs may, of course, take a Dutch language class if they choose.
Finding an Au Pair Opportunity Independently
It's also possible to pursue an au pair opportunity independently through family, friends, or acquaintances who live abroad; the only drawback is that there is not a program to support prospective au pairs in the process of securing the necessary visa for entry into the country.
The International Au Pair Association (IAPA) is another useful resource for those looking for opportunities to be an au pair overseas, providing connections to programs in several European countries. Information about how to apply to each program is included on the site.
Additional Au Pair Advice
The book The Au Pair and Nanny's Guide to Working Abroad, by Susan Griffith and Sharon Legg [Vacation-Work,1997], is a wise investment for gaining more in-depth background information on being an au pair. For anyone looking to network with other au pairs, there is, through FindAuPair.com, an au pair discussion forum that provides firsthand knowledge on the opportunity. This forum also includes warnings about au pair scams, and advises as to which sites are legitimate.
If you are looking for a way to get to know another country's culture and language, and above all work with children, becoming an au pair may be just right for you.
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