Everything you need to know about becoming an Au Pair!

Do you enjoy working with children and love to travel? Become an Au Pair abroad and have the time of your life! Discover the country, make friends all over the world and work on your resume at the same time. In this blog we tell you all the ins and outs about working as an au pair abroad!

Work with children and discover a country at the same time. Sounds great, but also a bit abstract. Because what does an au pair really do? As an au pair, you have an important role in a host family. You help the family take care of the children and do light housework. The host family has one or more children, varying in age. In exchange for your help as an au pair, you receive board, lodging and pocket money. Now we hear you thinking: "pocket money?" Since au pair is not considered a "real" job, the compensation you receive is called pocket money instead of salary.

As an au pair, you play with the children, help them with their homework and cook for them. You also get the children ready for school, take them to activities such as swimming lessons and put them to bed in the evening. Light household chores include cleaning the dishwasher, doing the children's laundry and making sure the children's rooms are tidy. So you don't have to mow the lawn. An au pair is really a full member of the host family. After all, for months you share your joys and sorrows with each other! You build a special bond with the children and their parents. You actually get an extra family abroad. How fun is that! Of course, you are there for the family, but they are also there for you 24/7. Working as an au pair is a valuable experience from which you will learn a lot more! First of all, you are responsible for one or more children. This requires independence and autonomy. Through your work as an au pair you grow in this respect and your self-confidence gets a boost! Furthermore, working as an au pair is a great way to discover the world. In your free time, you can explore the country and learn a new language. You make international friends and get to know the culture in a unique way. Another great thing: you will maintain a special relationship with your host family! This way you always have an address abroad that you can visit!

While working as an au pair, you learn much more than just caring for children. Working as an au pair is a valuable experience from which you gain a lot! To start with, you naturally have the responsibility for one or more children. This requires independence and self-reliance. Through your work as an au pair, you grow in these areas and, of course, your self-confidence also gets a boost! Moreover, working as an au pair is the perfect way to discover the world. In your free time, you can explore the country and perhaps learn a new language. You make international friends and get to know the culture in a unique way. Another beautiful aspect: you develop a special bond with the host family! This gives you a place abroad where you can always visit!

Are you already eager to take up the challenge as an au pair abroad? To work as an au pair you must be 18 and it is often useful if you have a driving license. Furthermore, there are some other "au pair must haves" which we would like to list for you! Number 1: you like working with children. Now you may be thinking, "yeah logical?!" But it is really important that you have a love for children and that you enjoy spending time with them. Playing with the kids is fun, of course, but do you also enjoy cooking for them and helping them with their homework?

Also helpful: have patience! Once in a while children have a tantrum or fill the whole wall with permanent marker. Can you handle that in a good way? Many host families like it if you have proven experience working with children. This could be babysitting, for example, but also animation at a campsite or volunteering at a sports club for children. If you are going to work as an au pair abroad, it is also nice if you have some basic knowledge of the language in the country. Perhaps the children's teacher would like to pass something on to you, so it is helpful if you can understand what she is saying. ;)

As an au pair, you have a meaningful role in the family. You will stay there for at least a few months, spend a lot of time with the children and finally live in your host family's home. Therefore, make sure it clicks well with your temporary family. For example, the parents may raise their children in a completely different way than you are used to. These are things you should discuss well in advance. Discuss in advance what the parents expect from you and you from them. Upon arrival, ask the host family what they expect. Do they have a daily schedule? What are your tasks? What does your own room look like? What are the rules for the children and are there any rules you have to follow? Together with your host family you can define the rules that you feel comfortable with. This is very useful to know, for example, if you want to have time to meet up with your new friends! For example, arrange to have at least one long weekend off per month to explore the country. That way you'll make the most of your adventure abroad!

In short, working as an au pair abroad is a great experience. When you return to the Netherlands, you will come back as an independent world traveler! After reading this blog, can't you wait to become an au pair abroad? Then take a quick look at our au pair vacancies!