EXPLORE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! Improve your English, discover the American Culture.
"Au pair" means "on par" or equal.
If you have childcare experience, speak English and would enjoy learning about the American
culture and improving your language skills, you could spend an unforgettable year with an American
Host family! You'll meet new friends and learn about the USA.
In exchange for your room and board, you will provide a maximum of 45 hours per week
(maximum of 10 hours per day) of childcare. You will receive one and a half days off per week,
a full weekend off every month, and two weeks paid vacation. You will earn $139 per week and receive a
legal J-1 for one year.
ELIGIBILITY Who can participate?
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Being an au pair in America is not for everyone. Taking care of young children requires maturity,
hard work and patience. And don't forget, you will also be adapting to a new culture and trying to
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establish a solid relationship with the parents and children. The work will be challenging but can
also be rewarding and satisfying. You should be sure you are ready to work a full 12 months before
committing to the program.
- Must speak and write conversational English
- Must be between 18-26 years old
- Must have no criminal record
- Must have graduated from secondary school or equivalent
- Must have at least 6 months childcare experience
- Must be able to provide 3 non-family local references
- Must be in good physical condition and submit a physician's report
- Must possess a driver's license (or be willing to get one)
- Must be a non-smoker
- Must be willing to commit to 12 months in the U.S.
- Must have not previously been an au pair in America
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What you get Why?
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Why would you wish to participate in an au pair program? What would it give to you?
Just think of these benefits, and the answers will come themselves.
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Sponsorship of a legal 12-month J-1 visa
Round-trip airfare to and from the United States
Arrangement of one week's training at the Au Pair Academy in San Francisco
Pocket money of $139.05 per week
Up to $500 tuition for enrollment in an accredited post-secondary institution for 6 units of academic credit or its equivalent
Room and board in a private bedroom with a pre-screened host family
Two weeks paid vacation
A 24 hour number to call in case of an emergency
Health and accident insurance
Introductions to other au pairs in the area and monthly meetings with your local community counselor
Maximum work of 45 hours per week/ 10 hours per day
In More Details...
Local Support Before You Leave
We will make sure that you will receive all the support and guidance
you need before you leave for the USA and all your questions are answered during your application and placement process.
The Right Family
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Our parnter's staff have over 15 years of experience with cultural exchange programs. Their experienced and dedicated team will work
hard to make your year in America happy and rewarding. They carefully review each family application and a community counsellor
visits each family to make sure their home is suitable for an au pair. They select host families who treat the au pair as a member
of the family, so from the first day of arrival, you will feel right at home. |
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Return Flights to & from the United States
Flights are arranged to San Francisco every month. You will have a free flight ticket to San Francisco. At the end of the program,
we will also arrange a ticket for you to fly back home from San Francisco
Au Pair Orientation & Training in the USA
Upon arriving to the U.S. to spend a year with your new host family, you will first attend an Orientation and Training Program for four
days. During this program, you will meet other au pairs in the region and learn safety, first aid and child development. Acquiring these
new skills will give you confidence when settling-in with your new family. You will also receive an Au Pair Handbook which details the
lessons so you can refer to it during your year in America. You will have 32 hours of instruction and free time to visit the region.
All of your meals are included.
Local Community Support
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Once you have arrived, your local community counselor will call you for an introduction and meet with you soon to answer your questions,
explain the program guidelines and introduce you to the surrounding area. During the year, your community counselor will keep close
contact with you to counsel you during your tran- |
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sition or smooth over any misunderstandings between you and your host family.
And you will attend monthly meetings and fun outings with other au pairs in your area so you can make friends right away.
A 24 hour number to call in case of an emergency
In case of emergency, you will have access to a toll free telephone number. The telephone is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can get an immediate help and advice from local community counsellors.
Health and Accident Insurance
You will be covered with a basic health and accident insurance plan. Please contact us if you are interested in information about
civil liability or a more comprehensive health plan.
$500 stipend to be used for schooling
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There is an educational requirement to the program stating that au pair participants must be enrolled in an accredited post
secondary institution for not less than six hours of academic credit or its equivalent during your year long stay in America.
Your host family and community counsel- |
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lor will assist you in choosing a course and registering at your local college.
You can study English, Dance, History or any subject that captivates your interest. Your host family will provide up to US$ 500
toward completion of this requirement.
Pocket Money of US$ 139.05 per week
Your host family will pay you $139.05 per week as pocket money.
Travel in the USA!
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THERE IS SO MUCH TO TRAVEL AND EXPLORE! One of the great benefits of our program is that you also have plenty of time to travel
and explore America. You will have a complete weekend off every month and also two seperate weeks of paid vacation. After you have
finished the 12 month program, you have the ability to utilize a 30 day grace period |
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for the purpose of travel within the United States.
Just imagine of all the cities and attractions you could visit! Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago,
Myrtle Beach or Florida - close to the magic world of Disney. There are lots of choices!
To sum up, your benefits are worth:
| BENEFITS YOU GET |
Host Family pays |
| Pocket Money $ 139.05 for 51 weeks |
$ 7,092.00 |
| Return Flights to/from USA |
$ 650.00 |
| Health and Accident Insurance |
$ 580.00 |
| Private Room & Board $ 105 for 51 weeks |
$ 5,355.00 |
| Contribution for Educational Component |
$ 500.00 |
| Total |
~$ 14,000.00 |
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Duties Responsibilities
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An au pair is considered a member of the family such as a big sister or brother and is not
permitted to do heavy housework, gardening or the parent's laundry.
Au pair duties are related to childcare. This means that the au pair can walk or drive the children to
school, straighten their rooms, do their laundry, prepare meals, undertake development activities such
as playing games, drawing or helping with homework.
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An au pair's childcare responsibilities may include:
Awakening the children, dressing them, bathing, playing and feeding them.
preparing light meals or helping to prepare meals, making children's beds,
doing their laundry, ironing their clothes
taking/collecting children to and from school, appointments or outings requested by the host family
Shopping, hoovering, dusting and some other light housework
being home if necessary while children are absent from school due to illness or holidays
baby-sitting in the evenings on request.
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ACCOMMODATION Board
Your host family will provide you with a private room, and since you are going to be treated
as a family member you will also be included in family meals and outings.
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Program Length
The program lasts for 12 months, plus one month grace period, during which you can travel
within the USA and/or prepare for and depart from the United States. You should bear in mind that if you
decide to travel beyond the boundaries of the United States during the grace period may not be permitted by the
BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services) officers to re-enter as they are no longer in
valid J-1 status during this time.
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VISA Documentation
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You will be provided with documentation necessary for applying for a J-1 exchange visitor visa.
Nevertheless you should be aware that we cannot guarantee that you will receive a J-1 visa from
the U.S. Consulate.
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We have no influence over decisions made by the U.S. Consular Officers.
These visas are issued with the understanding that you will return to your home country after the completion
of the program. The burden is on the participant to prove to the U.S. Consul clear intention to return
home.
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Program Deposit
To join the program, you are expected to pay a program deposit of $500.
It is a guarantee of your commitment to the program. Each au pair will receive a refund
of the deposit at the end of a successful 12 month stay.
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