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My daughter has always wanted to travel and has come up with the idea of being an au pair in Italy.
I get where she is coming from and we are okay with her going for it.
Does anyone have any experience or advice that might help us?
Does she speak Italian?
No, thats part of the reason to go, to learn it.
My Mrs did this during the summer breaks in Perugia whilst at Uni. Back then it was word of mouth placement for family friends, so simple to come to an arrangement, flights and small weekly payment and Board/lodging included. It involved daily tasks looking after two 3 yr olds during the day but the evenings were her own, on occasion when the family went out the Mrs would be alone so would have use of the family car. She mainly did it for the experience for exploring Art works in local churches (she was studying Fine Art at Edinburgh) and found some interesting stuff which she still has all these years later. She still talks about the experience and is still good friends with the family and went out a few years ago for one of the daughters weddings...
No idea what it’s like now though, but plenty of folk still do it. But I’d go through some reputable company who specialises in placements, better safe and with some support network just in case.
watched a documentary a few years ago. mostly 18 YOs doing what 18 YOs do in foreign countries, going out and turning up (or not) for work absolutley hanging.
It didn't seem that difficult to be a good au pair, turn up, on time & not stinking of booze.
This was in London, not brits abroad for a change!
A colleague uses aupairs through some more formal website or other - aupairs are checked/rated/reviewed as are the employer's/parents.
Seems a good way of doing things safely for all.
My niece did it in Barcelona for the same family for a couple of summers when she was doing her Spanish degree(about 4 years ago).It was a proper job application and an online interview. They paid her travel costs, a small wage and all her meals and accommodation.She taught the family's children English and has met up with them a couple of times since.All went well though she did say it put her off having kids!
I think being an au pair is a lot less risky than hiring one!
Au pair is French for 'the person you pay to look after your kids so you don't get prosecuted for negligence'.
We have been the host/employer of quite a few au pairs and had friends kids who have done it.
There are horror stories ie the French girl who was murdered by her hosts in West London (another French couple).
So make sure you are supportive and stay in touch and make sure your daughter can return anytime she wants
My wife was an au pair in her late teens, firstly in Sweden and then in Portugal. She loved it and we're still in touch with the family in Sweden. They came to our wedding and we've been to stay with them many times. She had a blast by the sound of it.
I thought it meant live in mistress.Au pair is French for 'the person you pay to look after your kids so you don't get prosecuted for negligence'.
I watched a film about that once.
make sure you got a lot of cash handy, because you'll end up paying for her flights and food.
After graduating from uni my daughter worked in Paris for 3 years as an Au Pair - enjoyed it - learned to speak French, taught English and then done a teaching qualification and is now working in a primary school in Paris. She now has a good supportive circle of friends there and is happy.
It is important that your daughter "interviews" the host family as she is being interviewed. There are good and bad working conditions/pay/hours etc Get her to ask about travel passes, pay for extra "babysitting", time off and holidays - especially if she want to be back home for more than a few days.
I'd also consider the location of the family - stuck out in the sticks with no social life might be difficult. Working in a city/town she will meet other au pairs.
Good luck.
I thought it meant live in mistress.
They aren't all female you know!
They aren't all female you know!
They are in my daydreams... both of them 🙂