AuPair
"Au Pair" is essentially a fancy name for babysitter. Wikipedia offers a nice explanation of the position and what is needed in certain countries. If you have babysitting experience and enjoy working with children this can be an ideal way to live inexpensively in a foreign country and experience the culture.
- Au pair positions give you an opportunity to live in a foreign location with free room & board and spending money
- Au pair positions tend to be predominantly filled by women. Men are occasionally hired, particularly when the children are male, but not usually.
- Most positions involve working about 30 hours a week (5 hours a day/ 6 days a week) and focus on child care.
- Au pairs are sometimes asked to do light housework, cooking or other duties.
- You must be reliable, enjoy children, patient and creative.
Numerous agencies will help place you in an au pair position with a family. Be sure to investigate the agency through the Better Business Bureau and through references before you sign.
- Read any agreement carefully before you sign it.
- Make sure you know what is expected of you including the housing arrangements you will receive.
Check out these listings for Au Pair opportunities:
The International Au Pair Association
An association of agencies involved in locating and placing au pairs worldwide. This website allows you to research au pair agencies in 44 countries.
InterExchange
Helps arrange stays between 3 and 12 months. The host family must provide a private bedroom for the au-pair.
Eaupair
Eaupair is an online matching service to register and search by country.
Hera Holding
This website gives you the answers to FAQ’s about Nannies such as: What is a Nanny? What does a nanny do? What salary and benefits can a nanny can expect?
Payaway
This directory has links to over 80 sites offering au pair and nanny jobs abroad.