This is a post about reasons to be an au pair.
Being an au pair changed my life. So much so that I did it not once, not twice but three times! And I would’ve done it again and again had my circumstances been different (and also if I knew Iceland was an eligible host country!). I’ve banged on about the au pair thing on this website several times and will continue to do so because I’m such a believer in it! So here I am, once again, now to give you several reasons to be an au pair. If you’re feeling lost in life, if you want to move abroad but can’t afford to, if you want to see the world, if you want an adventure… this could be it! Read on for more and feel free to ask anything about it in the comments at the bottom!
Becoming an au pair is more than just a job; it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, gain invaluable skills and create lifelong memories. Whether you’re looking for a gap year experience, a way to travel on a budget, or a chance to develop personally and professionally, being an au pair offers unique advantages. Here are seven compelling reasons to be an au pair:
Reasons to Be an Au Pair
Immerse Yourself in a New Culture
Living with a host family allows you to experience a country’s culture in a way tourists never can.
- Learn the Language: Improve your language skills by speaking daily with native speakers. Learning a local language in its native country is a million times easier and quicker than learning it in a course in your own country!
- Cultural Traditions: Participate in local customs, holidays and traditions firsthand. Besides, if you and the family click, they can really become your home away from home. I’ll never forget the day my German host dad told me I was the daughter they never had (to be honest, I sometimes behaved like the teenage daughter they didn’t need…not my finest hours)
- Authentic Living: Enjoy home-cooked meals, family outings and everyday life in a foreign country. I remember being made fun of (as a joke!) for making mac n cheese my first ever order in the US and for always, ALWAYS ordering the schnitzel in Germany. You like what you like!
One of my favourite things in Germany was to have breakfast outside during summer weekends. My host dad would go to the bakery to buy fresh bread rolls and we’d set the table in the middle of the garden. Or summer nights when the sun wouldn’t set til late in the evening. We’d put the kids in bed and go sit outside chatting and drinking wine until midnight.
Travel the World on a Budget
Being an au pair provides an affordable way to live abroad.
- Not only you don’t have to spend money on room and board but you also get paid
- You’ll have free time to explore nearby cities, landmarks and attractions and often travel for free to new places with the host family
- If you’re an au pair in Europe, there are various opportunities to visit different countries on a tight budget as well as exploring your surroundings as there are so many free museums, outdoor festivals, nature trails, etc. If you’ve got a travel pass (DO negotiate this with your host family!!), you won’t need much to get out and about. Besides, it’s Europe. Wherever you are, you’re bound to find something historical at any corner!
Build Lifelong Relationships
The bonds you form as an au pair can last a lifetime.
- Host Family: Many au pairs stay close to their host families long after the experience ends. Last year I visited my German host parents with whom I hadn’t lived in over a decade and it felt like no time had passed.
- Other Au Pairs: Join local au pair networks and make friends from all over the globe. One of my closest friends in England is another Brazilian who went to Germany around the same time as me. We met online while getting ready to apply for our visa and even went to the consulate together for that!
- Children: Being a part of a child’s life and growth can be deeply rewarding and heartwarming. I’m still in touch with a bunch of the kids I looked after and it’s so sweet to hear from them, especially when they remember something from our time together!
Develop Valuable Skills
Being an au pair teaches skills that are useful for life and work. It turns you inside out, you live a thousand lives in one year and the personal growth is exponential!
- Time Management: Managing schedules and activities helps hone organisational skills.
- Personal Relationships: You don’t only develop childcare skills, but living with strangers, initially, from a culture often so different from yours who are also your employers definitely helps you learn different perspectives and navigate varied personalities.
- Adaptability: Learn how to navigate new environments, customs and challenges. Often while still learning the local language! Personally, this is one of my favourite things about living abroad: the chance to see how other people live, think, eat, speak… I love incorporating little things of other cultures in my own life (not to be confused with cultural appropriation! 🙃)
Gain Independence and Confidence
Living abroad as an au pair pushes you out of your comfort zone.
- Handle responsibilities like managing a household and solving problems independently. In a different language!
- Overcome language barriers and cultural differences.
- Return home (way!) more confident and self-assured in your ability to tackle new challenges.
- Feel free to be whoever you want to be and discover how much you’re capable of! Another one of my favourites! Growing up in the same town, with the same people, it’s hard not to be in a bubble and feel like you’re a little trapped inside the box your friends and family put you in. When you live abroad, no one knows you! You can be who you always wanted to be and learn who you truly are, how resourceful and how much you’re able to accomplish.
Open New Career Opportunities
The au pair experience is a great addition to your CV.
- Demonstrates cultural awareness and adaptability to potential employers.
- Highlights your childcare and interpersonal skills having lived with people from different cultures and backgrounds
- Can open doors to careers in teaching, childcare, translations, psychology and so much more. It can also lead to studying and/or working abroad. It was when I was in Germany that I found out I could actually work in the music industry and the reason I moved to London (also as an au pair…my first step to permanent residence in the UK)
Create Unforgettable Memories
Being an au pair is an adventure filled with special moments.
- Witness the joy of helping a child grow and learn as well as experiencing pure love and friendship
- Experience things you never imagined, from local festivals to trying new cuisines. Not to mention the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life!
- Return home with stories, photos, memories and new international friendships that will last a lifetime.
Change the Course of Your Life
Quite frankly, if it hadn’t been for my au pair experiences, I don’t know if I would’ve travelled as much as I have so far nor lived abroad for as long as I have (two decades now!).
Being an au pair changed my life in more ways than I can count. It opened my mind, my heart and the world to infinite possibilities. It introduced me to all kinds of people, some of the worst, some of the best. Each of them leaving a piece of them with me whether a lesson, kindness or, well, maybe a grudge or two 😂
Becoming an au pair is a unique opportunity to explore the world, grow as a person and create meaningful connections. Whether you’re looking for an adventure, a way to learn a new language or a meaningful job abroad, the au pair journey offers all of that and more.
If you’re looking to be an au pair in the US, the main agencies are Au Pair in America, Au Pair Care and Cultural Care. In Europe, most countries don’t require you go through an agency and you can find your potential host family on websites like Au Pair World.
Would you like tips on finding a host family or country recommendations? Let me know in the comments!
This post was all about reasons to be an au pair. Can you think of other ones?