Becoming an au pair in a foreign country could be the adventure of a lifetime. But before you pack your suitcases, there are a few things you should be aware of. So we’ve gone ahead and put together a list of what you need to know about au pairing abroad.
What you Need to Know About Au Pairing Abroad
An au pair is a great career choice if you love children. But why not take it a step further by doing this job in a different country? You can learn about different cultures while gaining valuable work experience. Here’s what you need to know about au pairing abroad:
Register With a Reputable Company
There are many people waiting to take advantage of those wanting a job abroad. So don’t accept job offers from people who randomly contact you on WhatsApp or Facebook. Do some research online to find an agency with a good reputation. You can use sites such as HelloPeter to check if others had good experiences with the company.
Make Sure you Have the Correct Visa
The process of getting a visa can be very frustrating. But taking the time to make sure you leave the country with the right one can save you from legal trouble. Contact the embassy of the country you want to work in to find out which visa you need. For example, when you au-pair in the USA, you’ll need a J-1 visa.
Go Through the T&Cs in Your Contract
Before you sign a contract with the host family, ask as many questions as possible. You should especially ask about what happens if you get sick, or if you get into an accident with the family car. You should also check that your contract includes a salary you’re happy with and allows for time off.
Choose a Country Where you Understand the Language
There are many families who hire au-pairs to help their children learn a new language. But aside from that, you’ll still have to get by and communicate outside of the household. So you might want to reconsider going to France if you don’t have a basic understanding of French.
Be Intentional About the Location
Living in a small town or big city will offer two very different experiences. It could even make or break your time abroad. So to avoid disappointment, choose a host family that lives close to where you want to be located. This way you’ll be able to plan your finances too.
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Qualifications you Need
The best part about becoming an au pair is that there are no set requirements. You could probably dive right in with just a matric certificate and police clearance. But if you have a few extra skills in your back pocket, it could increase your chances of being hired. Here’s what could be useful to you:
Teaching Qualification
Some families may ask you to tutor or play educational games with their little ones. A teaching degree or an educare diploma will show parents that you are skilled enough to do these tasks.
First Aid
Every parent will feel a lot more comfortable knowing that their child’s caregiver can handle medical emergencies. So why not add a first aid qualification to your CV?
Driver’s Licence
A large part of being an au pair is dropping children off at school or extramural activities and then picking them up again. If these places aren’t within walking distance, you’ll have to drive. The host family might even provide you with a car you can use to drive them around.
Take Your Skills Overseas
We offer a range of courses for all your study needs. The skills you learn with us will be a great addition to your CV, no matter where you decide to work. To get started, contact us today. You can:
- Call us on: 0800 39 00 27 – It’s free!
- Fill out our contact form and we’ll call you back
