Many young women aren't sure what to do after high school. More and more of them are deciding to work as an au pair. It's a great way to gain experience in many areas of life. Usually you go as an au pair girl to a family abroad. For a young woman, the advantage is that in that one year you can learn a foreign language really well, and you'll be glad to have it later in life. On top of that, you pick up all kinds of skills such as cooking, cleaning, caring for children and general household tasks, which helps you stand on your own two feet early and become independent.

What do you need to know as an au pair girl?

Au pair girl

First, of course, there's the question of which country you want to work in as an au pair. Among Europeans, the USA or England are often chosen. One reason is that you improve your English there, and English is one of the most important languages in the world. As a rule, you stay with a family with children and live with them like a family member. Your main task is to look after the children so that the parents get some relief or can go to work. In most cases, though, you also take on other household chores such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, ironing and much more.

However, when it comes to light household duties, make sure they don't make up more than fifty percent of all your tasks. As a rule, you should have basic knowledge of the language of the country where you want to work as an au pair girl. In addition, your own native language must not be the native language of the host family. As an au pair you usually receive an appropriate allowance and may not work more than 30 hours. There also has to be enough free time, which is meant to prevent young au pair girls from being taken advantage of by their host families. A very important point to sort out before traveling abroad as an au pair is, of course, having the right visa, which usually shouldn't be a problem.

Gaining valuable experience as an au pair

Au pair girl

When you work as an au pair, you gain a lot of experience. After all, you learn things you can use later in life. Overall, the experience as an au pair makes you far more self-confident and, above all, more independent. To sum up, the following points are important as an au pair:

  • you need to apply for the right visa in good time
  • you need basic knowledge of the local language and your native language can't be the host family's language
  • you receive an allowance plus free room and board
  • you must have one day off and may not exceed 30 hours of work
  • you live like a member of the family
  • your main task is looking after the children
  • light household tasks may also be assigned, but they can't make up more than fifty percent
  • time as an au pair is perfect preparation for a longer stay abroad
  • you broaden your foreign language skills