Dispel the Myths – Raising Awareness About the Au Pair Program

Also, many are surprised to learn it is overseen by the Department of State- key word is overseen.  I remember I was a teenager when the program first started and I certainly heard about it and met Au Pairs back then.  I had older siblings who had some friends who were Au Pairs, so I learned about the program back when it first started.  Many have never heard of the program.  The Department of State piloted the program in the late 80′s to enhance cultural relations between the US and foreign countries.  Go AuPair was one of the original eight designated agencies to legally bring Au Pairs to the US.  Go AuPair has been matching host families with Au Pairs for twenty-five years!

Another myth is that Au Pair’s use the J-1 visitor exchange visa to come to the US so they can stay illegally.  This is not the case.  Most Au Pairs come from good, caring families, have a bit of a travel bug mentality, and understand the ramifications for not abiding by the J-1 visa rules. The rules are clearly explained to all candidates.  J-1′s allow a young adult, age 18-26, to come to the US to live with a host family in exchange for room/board, cultural exchange and a small weekly stipend for two years only.  It is not a student visa where when the two years are over, they can just go to college or something.  Once the two years are up, if they do not return to their country on the J-1, they risk never to be let back into the US ever again along with their family members.  Au Pairs understand this and want to follow the rules.  It is better to go home, and come back on a different visa if they are so inclined.   Also, the J-1′s are not granted after age 26.  We have scrambled to get an Au Pair to their host family within weeks of a 27th birthday, but all within the guidelines of J-1′s.

Education stipend.  It is part of the program requirements that Au Pairs must attend 6 units of a college course (Standard Program) and the Education stipend is the host parents responsibility.  Do you know that community colleges offer ESL classes for free?  Here in Marin County, CA, all an Au Pair has to do is take the free test to see which level class they place into.  Or the noncredit courses at the Jr. college tend to offer classes of interest that don’t cost a lot.  Again, the Education stipend is factored into the 45 hours/week of childcare for a little less than $10/hour.  Read the plans & pricing page.

Anyhow, I did want to touch on Summer’s piece and dispel some myths about the program.   The program is not too expensive.  Read the fees and pricing link as it clearly breaks the cost down for you.  Au Pairs tend to be more motivated than their typical US counterpart and take their roles seriously, giving you in-home convenience, flexibility and highly personalized care.  Au Pairs are here on a J-1 visa and understand it is only two years (and trust me, all want to go home to see their family), and the Education stipend is a cost added into the program in which you only pay as needed.  Your Au Pair takes $250 worth of courses which includes transportation and/or supplies for their 6 units, then that is all you would owe.

I love this program, working with girls, and take my role as the local support to host families and Au Pairs very seriously.  There are hundreds of young adults all over the world wanting to experience American culture and customs.  Imagine if you were in their shoes, what kind of experience would you want?  Or what kind of experience/relationship do you want for your family and children?    Something to think about for sure.

goaupairnorthbay.wordpress.com