Au Pair in America

  United States

Length of Position: 51 weeks
Dates: throughout the year

Description: Being part of an American family and caring successfully for their children for a year requires you to be exceptionally clear about duties and responsibilities. While you will benefit greatly from the experience, you:

* Provide your host family with responsible and loving childcare of up to 45 hours a week, during not more than five and a half days. This time will be spent in duties such as feeding, bathing, playing with the children or babysitting while they are asleep or driving them to and from school. Upon arrival, you and your host family will sign an agreement outlining your obligation to provide no more than 45 hours of childcare per week (and not more than 10 hours per day). Duties are centered on the children's needs. You will not be expected to do heavy housework. However, as a family member, you will be expected to do your share of the family chores.

* Take educational courses of your choice for the equivalent of three hours per week during term time. Information about the local educational opportunities will be made available prior to your departure for the United States. You're Community Counselor and host family will assist you with your selection soon after your arrival. If you do not attend college for the required hours, you forfeit the 400 USD completion payment.

* May accompany the family on holiday and, by mutual agreement, this may count as part of your two- week vacation allowance.

* Are expected, at all times, to be polite, help your family and take your childcare responsibilities seriously

* Are responsible for your personal expenses including long distance telephone calls made in your host family's home, and you budget accordingly;

Above all, immerse yourself in your childcare duties, love the children you care for, make new friends, experience a new culture, learn new skills and spend a year in America that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Highlights: Recruitment takes places all year round, and the sooner you apply, the greater your chances of placement. You should apply at least three months before you wish to depart to the USA. Your departure date will be determined by the requirements of the host family. Some placements may be made at short notice.

Au Pair in America means:
* the opportunity to spend a year in one of 170 exciting American cities and towns
* free return flights from 25 major cities to the USA and one-way transportation to the host community. Flights are also available from many other destinations at a modest cost.
* a private room and meals with a carefully screened family
* pay of 139.05 USD per week pocket money for 51 weeks. Au pair/nannies receive 200 USD per week through Au Pair Extraordinaire
* two separate weeks of vacation with weekly payment and at least one complete weekend off every month.
* optional 13th month to travel within the U.S. at your own expense.
* medical insurance cover 100,000 USD and 100,000 USD personal liability cover
* tuition allowance of 500 USD. Visa regulations require you to study a subject of your choice for the equivalent of three hours per week during term time.
* four-day orientation near New York City with full board and lodging
* year-long help and guidance from an Au Pair in America Community Counselor, access to a 24-hour toll-free emergency line, a programme of social activities with other au pairs and a quarterly newsletter, containing helpful advice and interesting articles.
* an Exchange Visitor J-1 Visa, the only legal means of becoming an au pair in the U.S.
* completion payment of 400 USD that is paid in U.S. dollars just before you leave your host family.
* the opportunity to improve your English language fluency if you are not.

Qualifications:
You must:
* Be 18 to 26 years old
* Hold a valid driving license
* Have at least 200 hours recent, practical childcare experience, such as regular babysitting for non-family members, helping at a local school, youth group. Your local interviewer can help you in classifying your experience. To care for children less than two years old, the 200 hours experience must be with children less than two and you must be at least 19.
* Have completed your secondary education
* Speak English to a good standard
* Not have a criminal record and be able to provide a police record check or certificate of good conduct
* Agree to the program's code of conduct and rules
* Agree to a full year's commitment
* Not have previously participated in an au pair programme to the U.S.

Experience Required: no

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

American Institute For Foreign Study's Mission Statement: We bring the world together.

Year Founded: 1964