should I be an au pair?

Working as an au pair might sound a little better than it actually is. As you know, everything in French usually does. While it is a great way to live in another country inexpensively, it isn’t for everyone. There can be a lot of hard work involved, and living in sometimes close quarters with another family isn’t every person’s idea of fun.

But don’t let the idea of hard work and life with strangers scare you away. Working as an au pair can be very rewarding – besides the practical knowledge you gain, you may end up with a second family somewhere else in the world, and friendships that might end up lasting a lifetime. How many jobs offer these perks?

Since professional qualifications aren’t required for au pair positions, it’s fairly simple to find a job. Most families like au pairs to have at least some experience with children, but for most, attitude and trustworthiness are more important than years of experience with kids. If you are someone who is willing to work with a good attitude, is honest, and is open to new things (because in new surroundings almost everything will be new to some extent), you are probably a good candidate. One more thing – liking children helps, but is not a requirement. You don’t have to be the most kid-friendly person around, but you do need to be able to get along well with children, at least for a few hours a day.