TALK. Five reasons why you should be an au pair.

Friday, 21 April 2017

Being an au pair can bring you so much more than you think! If you haven't considered that option for your gap year or if you still feel hesitant, here are five reasons to be an au pair that will set your heart on this job:

1. You will become bilingual within six months.

It's proven; the best and fastest way to improve your language skills is to go to a foreign country and to be confronted with the language 24/7. We met several au pairs who, when they first arrived in New Zealand, had a moderate level of English. When we spoke with them 9 months down the track, they were almost locals; vocabulary, grammar, comprehension… They sounded like they had been in the country for years!

And even if you just stay three months abroad, you will easily gain serious language skills and be sure to have better chances to obtain your TOEFL back home.

2. This will be a valuable experience on your CV.

While you do what you like (taking care of children), you'll be able to add this experience and the skills you've gained onto your CV… And it's not negligible, especially if you intend to make a career in the education field! Also, the fact that you went so far from home for so long will impress your future employers and prove to them how committed, confident and independent you are.

3. You get to explore the country and discover a whole new culture.

If we told you that, by being an au pair, you will work from Monday to Friday, and be on holidays during all your weekends… Would you believe it? If yes, then you are absolutely right!

Most of the host families will give you a car to go explore the country on your weekends, so you'll be able to go on a lot of adventures every week! You also get 4 weeks paid holiday for a 12 month contract. That's a whole four weeks where you're getting paid while you are off exploring.

Moreover, by living 24/7 with a foreign family, you will discover a new culture and way of life; this is the best way to get an authentic insight into a foreign country!

4. You will make friends from all over the world and gain a second family.

Don't think that you'll be all by yourself out there! Your host family will most likely treat you as a member of the family right away, and you'll find yourself surrounded by a lovely and supportive family to whom you can talk to whenever you want. You'll never feel alone in your second family!

Besides, being an au pair is the best way to meet other young people who come from all over the world to be, like you, au pairs. You'll have friends to go explore your new home country on the weekends and share your adventures with!

5. It will give you an opportunity to grow as a person, become more self-confident and find your true self away from home.

Many young people want to know what they are made of and find their true self. What other best way to do so than being an au pair? Jumping into this adventure on your own, having responsibilities, opening yourself to a new culture and seeing the wold through children's eyes…. All of these and so much more will allow you to change for the best!

Adventure, improved language skills, experience and discovery of a new culture; all of this can be yours if you decide to become an au pair. So why would you wait?