Au Pair Travel
I have just recently noticed a large number of friends who are taking part in a working holiday visa. Basing themselves somewhere in Europe, they find work and use it as an opportunity to learn about the cultural landscape.
Although hospitality has always been seen as the easiest way to work and travel, the growing demand for nannies has created more possibilities for young people.
A good friend of mine moved to Germany six months ago with no knowledge of the culture and the language. She searched for an apartment and within a week had one locked in. Then searched for a job as a babysitter and that was all confirmed within two weeks. Within a month she had moved to the first foreign speaking country she had ever been to and completely had herself set up.
All this is with careful consideration that: 1. She was English speaking 2. English speaking nannies are in high demand in Europe and 3. The economic climate in Europe has remained relatively constant over the past five years, enabling middle classes to afford nannies.
There are many things I have learnt through my friend about this growing industry. Generally there are a few different possibilities for a nannies working oversees. She or he is able to live in with the family and work full time. This is known as an ‘Au Pair’ who has all expenses paid including monthly train ticket, a mobile phone, all meals and all accommodation costs including their own room. Next option is as a Nanny who is able to work full time or part time and ‘lives out’ of the family’s home. There are varying degrees of what the family pays for but generally some meals will be provided and a mobile phone. Lastly there is a babysitter who will just look after the children at night or for short intervals. A babysitter doesn’t usually need as much experience with children as, for the most part, it will be at night and they will be asleep.
What comes with the more full time forms of child minding is usually a close, comforting family environment who just want to make your stay in their country as easy as possible. My friend now has part time German lessons paid for and a monthly spending allowance for warm clothes because she is out in the weather so often with the kids. It really is a great way to see the country.
To find out more about how to be an Au Pair, visit localized agencies, family planning clinics or job sites.