Host Family FAQs - General |
General
Q. What is an au pair?
Q. Are all au pairs female?
Q. Who sponsors the au pair's visa and what type of visa do au pairs have?
Q. How long is the au pair program?
Q. What countries do the au pairs come from?
Q. Do the au pairs speak English?
Q. Do the au pairs drive?
Q. What if we don't like our au pair or if it doesn't work out for some other reason?
Q. Do the au pairs have car insurance?
Q. Does the U.S. Department of State recognize Au Pair USA?
Q. What if there is no local coordinator in my area?
Q. What is a pre-match?
Q. What is the difference between an au pair and a nanny?
Q. Can the program accommodate special needs?
Q. Are there other au pairs in the area?
Q. Is it necessary to have back-up child care when I have an au pair?
Q. What have other host families said about Au Pair USA?
Q. What is an au pair?
A. Au pairs are young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 who come to the United States and live as an extended member of their host family. Au pairs provide up to 45 hours per week of childcare in exchange for room, board, a small weekly stipend and up to $500 toward 6 credits at an accredited educational institution. (top)
Q. Are all au pairs female?
A. No. While the majority of au pairs are women, there are both male and female au pairs. (top)
Q. Who sponsors the au pair's visa and what type of visa do au pairs have?
A. InterExchange Au Pair USA sponsors the au pair's visa. All au pairs are on the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. (top)
Q. How long is the au pair program?
A. An au pair's original program runs 12 months. An extension option is available to extend an au pair's original term by 6, 9 or 12 months. There is also a 3 month summer-only program. (top)
Q. What countries do the au pairs come from?
A. We have applicants from:
Argentina |
El Salvador |
Lithuania |
Slovenia |
Australia |
France |
Mexico |
South Africa |
Austria |
Germany |
Netherlands |
South Korea |
Belgium |
Guatemala |
New Zealand |
Spain |
Botswana |
Hungary |
Norway |
Sweden |
Brazil |
India |
Peru |
Switzerland |
Bulgaria |
Ireland |
Poland |
Thailand |
Chile |
Israel |
Romania |
Turkey |
Croatia |
Italy |
Serbia & |
Ukraine |
Czech Republic |
Japan |
Montenegro |
United Kingdom |
Ecuador |
Latvia |
Slovak Republic |
Yugoslavia |
Currently, the majority of au pair applicants are from Western Europe. (top)
Q. Do the au pairs speak English?
A. Yes. All au pair applicants must speak English, and will be rated on their English skill level. All applicants are also interviewed in English. (top)
Q. Do the au pairs drive?
A. Most au pair applicants have a valid driver's license. If an au pair is a driver, they will be required to obtain an International drivers license prior to their arrival. Inquire during the telephone interview about the extent of driving experience the au pair has if s/he will be responsible for driving your children. (top)
Q. What if we don't like our au pair or if it doesn't work out for some other reason?
A. Your local coordinator will attempt to help both you and your au pair sort through any issues. Au Pair USA has a transition team who will replace and reassign the au pair and host family when appropriate. (top)
Q. Do the au pairs have car insurance?
A. No. Please consult your insurance company. (top)
Q. Does the U.S. Department of State recognize Au Pair USA?
A. Yes. (top)
Q. What if there is no local coordinator in my area?
A. Check with the U.S. Department of State for other recognized au pair programs that service your area. (top)
Q. What is a pre-match?
A. It is when you know of someone in another country who you would like to be your au pair. (top)
Q. What is the difference between an au pair and a nanny?
A. Some differences are the cultural exchange aspect of au pair childcare, au pair programs are regulated by the United States government and each au pair can stay with your family for 1 year, and au pairs always live with the host family and are treated as an extended family member. (top)
Q. Can the program accommodate special needs?
A. Sometimes. Special needs families are handled on a case-by-case basis, please contact your local coordinator for more information. (top)
Q. Are there other au pairs in the area?
A. Yes. Each local coordinator has a "cluster" of host families and au pairs. Your au pair will meet other au pairs in the cluster at monthly meetings that s/he will be required to attend. (top)
Q. Is it necessary to have back-up child care when I have an au pair?
A. Yes, in case your au pair arrival is delayed or to provide childcare when you need more than 45 hours of care in a week. (top)
Q. What have other host families said about Au Pair USA?
A. Host family testimonials are posted on our web site.(top)
