News » Newsletter » 1999 » Newsletter 11-12/1999 » Au Pair in the US
Au Pair in the US
Do you have questions about studying in the US, a student exchange to the US or advanced training in the US?
Many high school graduates and students are interested in studying in the US, but never quite dare taking the big step over the pond. The American education system cannot be compared with the German system and the number of universities and subjects is much greater. So anyone planning to study in the US has many questions: Where and how do I apply? How do I pay for studying there? What tests do I have to take? You will get the answers to these questions as well as information about high school, au pair and internship programs in the US at the Council Education USA Hotline 0190-57 27 27 (0.62 Euro/min).
Education USA is a department of the Council on International Educational Exchange e.V., an international, non-profit organization for educational exchange with the US and other countries. Education USA exists since 1997 and is the successor of the United States Information Service (USIS) that had been run by the US cultural authorities.
Apart form the USA Hotline you can also ask for information at the America Houses in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne and Leipzig. In addition to a comprehensive library, there are lectures, work shops and individual consulting. Find the dates under 0190-57 27 27 (0.62 Euro/min) or online.
Au Pair
Young women and more and more young men as well between 18 and 26 can live in the US as an au pair for one year. The requirements are basic skills of English, a driver's license, as well as experience in child care, preferable with children younger than 6. The host family will pay for the flight to the US and back. You will also get free accommodation and food, as well as $139 a week. There are some special programs for teachers for young children that are paid much higher.
You cannot organize a stay in the US yourself as an au pair and simply come to the country on a tourist visa. There are strict regulations for the stay as an au pair, defined by the American government. To enter the country, you need the J-1Visa. The necessary form will be issued by the au pair organization. However, if you know a family in the US and would like to be their au pair, this is generally possible. You and the family would have to apply at the same organization, and tell them that you already have a family or an au pair. This is called pre-match.
If you are interested in an au pair program, think about this carefully. You will work approximately 45 hours a week, this means it is not to be confused with a vacation with sun and fun, as hinted at in some brochures. Child care, especially in a foreign country with different customs of child care, may be exhausting. That's why it is important to have enough experience already, so that you can judge for yourself whether this is the right thing for you. Au pairs under 21, who are already adults in Germany, have significantly fewer liberties in the US. Not only due to the laws, but also because of the host parents, who feel responsible for the au pair.
These are only a few points you should consider. However, they are important to make sure this is the right thing for you. Only then can your year in the US become a success with a lot of great experience.
A useful homepage with general information that will also help you choose an organization is
Some new au pair regulations have been passed in 1999. They have been tightened, also because of the English au pair who was arrested as a murder suspect in the US. The most important changes are:
- an au pair may not look after children under 3 years of age unless one of the parents or another adult is in the house
- An au pair may not take care of children under 2 years of age unless the au pair can prove at least 200 hours child care (small children)
- There must be a written signed contract between the au pair and the host family, stating that the au pair will not have to work more than 45 hours a week.
- The au pair must have her or his own bedroom
Requirements for the host family:
- The host parents must be US citizens or green card holders
- The host parents must speak fluent English
- All adults in the family must be interviewed by the organization. Also, all have to undergo a background-check, including work references and character references.
Find addresses for au pair organizations in chapter 7 of this newsletter.
Immigration Visa
In order to live permanently in the USA, a green card is required. Persons with special qualifications have good chances of receiving a residence permit – with or without a job offer. But there are also other options. More
Facts and Figures
Tens of thousands of applications for the official Diversity Visa Program are submitted by The American Dream each year. Since 1996 the number of applications submitted to the US authorities has increased to over 400,000. More
Our Service for your Company
You are a business customer and would like to use our service? We will give you intensive initial consultancy and will help you to fill out the forms for your spouse and children. But that is not all. Find out what else is included in our service for your company. More
