The meaning of au pair.

An au pair is usually a young person, either female or male, who provides live-in care to the children of a welcoming host family overseas as part of a cultural exchange. You’ll be generously provided with a weekly stipend, your own room in the family home and, typically, two to three meals per day. You may even get the chance to join the family on ski and summer vacations. Being an au pair abroad gives you the freedom to be more than the average tourist by immersing yourself in a completely new culture and developing valuable life skills. You’ll experience personal growth and maturity, and perhaps learn a new language all whilst having the chance to explore a new country. It’s the perfect opportunity to become a cherished part of a family’s life for years to come, while also getting a genuine sense of what life is like overseas.

Au pair vs nanny.

Whilst they have similar duties, au pairs and nannies are not the same. Au pairs provide live-in care for the children of a host family abroad, and are considered to be a temporary family member. They are included in family activities, even when they aren’t working. A nanny is a professional caretaker employed by a family on a contract basis. They work set hours and are paid a wage. Au pairs will typically live with their host family for up to 1-2 years, whereas a nanny can be employed for as little or as long as the family needs.

Au Pair costs.

One of the best parts of being an au pair abroad is having almost no living expenses! Accommodation is covered as you will live with a host family, plus meals will also be provided most days. That means one of the only major costs to being an au pair will be all the travelling you’ll do on your time off!