Working as an au pair abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working as an au pair abroad like?

• Working as an au pair abroad is perhaps one of the most popular ways for young adults to go abroad for a longer period of time.
• You immediately have a place to live, food, and sometimes pocket money, and in return, you help with children and light housework.
• It's not a regular job, but a true cultural exchange: you learn the language, eat with others, share in the experience, and discover what family life is like in another part of the world.
• Duties can vary considerably. Sometimes you're the big sister/brother, sometimes a playmate, sometimes a homework helper, and sometimes a dinner chef. Your work can consist of:
  • Taking children to school or activities.
  • Cooking or preparing meals.
  • Creating and playing games (sometimes lots of them).
  • Help with homework.
  • Cleaning, laundry, light housekeeping.
  • Language exchange: you teach them something, they teach you something.
• Working conditions: Room and board are almost always included, with a private room. Additional pocket money varies greatly from country to country. Sometimes you get bonuses, such as a language course, a public transport pass, a SIM card, and fun outings.
• You usually have a lot of free time, but also a lot of responsibility.
• It can be super cozy… and sometimes culturally challenging.

What are the reasons for working as an au pair abroad?

• To increase your involvement: you become a real part of the family and often build deep bonds.
• To be meaningful: you directly contribute to the lives of children and parents, which is fulfilling.
• To gain experiences: you get to know a country in a way you would never experience as a backpacker.
• To increase your self-awareness: you discover how you respond to new habits, parenting styles, and routines.
• To learn to think creatively: especially on rainy days, hungry toddlers, and homework crises.
• To feel connected: you live close together, share the table, the rituals, and sometimes even the family outings. 

What skills and motivations do you need to work as an au pair abroad?

• Communication skills: you must be able to consult and be clear with both children and parents (sometimes in three languages ​​simultaneously).
• Flexibility: changing plans, shifting bedtimes, children getting sick, it's all part of the job.
• Professionalism: keeping appointments, being consistent, and being able to handle responsibility.
• Situational awareness: you live in a culture that's not your own; that requires sensitivity.
• Creativity: from activities to improvising in unexpected situations.
• Empathy: children have good and bad days, just like you.
• Patience: yes, a lot of patience.

What are the best countries and locations to work as an au pair abroad?

• Good pocket money: the US, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden.
• Many expat families: the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Singapore, the UAE.
• Popular au pair destinations: the US, Germany, France, Spain, Australia.
• Culture boost: Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Argentina, Thailand, India. 
• Laid-back life: New Zealand, Portugal, Spain (outside the cities).

What are the risks of working as an au pair abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

• What are the risks of working as an au pair abroad?
  • It's common for the living and working environment to be different (and sometimes unsafe) than you are used to: think of unfamiliar customs, different etiquette, differences in parenting styles, traffic that works a little differently, or households where rules aren't always clear.
  • It's common for your immune system to be lowered: a new environment, enriched children's sounds early in the morning, food that takes your stomach some getting used to, or long days that take their toll.
  • It's common for a lot of stress to arise: due to cultural differences, linguistic miscommunication, high parental expectations, crying babies, or a lack of clear agreements. The emotional burden is often high: you live where you work, have less privacy, and have to balance your own needs with those of the family.
  • Accidents, both minor and major, are common: slipping during bath time, hitting your head with a ball, getting burned while cooking, or a back that protests after three weeks of carrying toddlers.
  • Au pairs often cause (accidental) damage: spilling drinks on laptops, breaking children's toys, or accidentally using the wrong wash cycle, causing everything to turn pink.
• Are you insured while working as an au pair abroad?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
  • There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you're doing work with which you have little experience.
  • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in the Netherlands may be cancelled.
  • See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.