The term “au pair” is French, meaning “at par” or “equal,” indicating that the au pair is intended to be treated as a family member. Au Pair USA believes that this is the true spirit of the au pair program. This perspective has been especially...
Updated 30 April 2021. Are you having trouble remembering the “before times”? As the USA reopens, folks are starting to venture out while adhering to federal, state and local guidance. Your area may be starting to open up a little. The Center for Disease Control...
How COVID-19 has presented new education opportunities for au pairs A favorite idiom reads, “every cloud has a silver lining.” During COVID, one of those silver linings is the choice of thousands of online course opportunities across the United States. As part of the J-1...
As you near the end of your au pair program, it’s time to prepare for the next phase of your life. You may be returning to school and/or job hunting. This post will explain who au pairs can ask for letters of recommendation, what to ask...
We’re thrilled to announce our 2019 Au Pair of the Year, Hagen Kamieth, from Siegen, Germany! The Moore family of Redmond, Washington, nominated Hagen who arrived to the U.S. in July and has been caring for their six-year-old daughter, Kira. Au Pair USA staff members...
As an au pair, you’ve put in a lot of time getting ready for your program year. You’ve had prep work to do before leaving your home country. Once you arrive to your host family, the learning continues. Here are a few tips for a successful program...
As you approach the end of your au pair program, there are several things to consider. The process for wrapping up your au pair program should be as thoughtful as the pre-arrival process. Extensions If you decide to extend for another 6, 9 or 12...
December au pair cluster meetings were filled with cookies, international potlucks, gingerbread houses, present exchanges, volunteering, and many kinds of hats! Au pairs and local coordinators enjoyed celebrating the December holidays. Happy New Year!
Phew, we made it through Thanksgiving! Most American families celebrate Thanksgiving similarly: lots of food and family and friends, naps, and more food. With December upon us, it’s a good time for au pairs and host families to talk about the upcoming holidays and plan...
The end of an au pair’s program year can be packed with mixed feelings. Au pair Maria, from Spain, is preparing to return home after her program ends. She has been reflecting on her experience and lessons learned. “The Au Pair experience has been one of the...