Why Become an Au Pair?

Au pairing is a unique experience where you live with a host family in exchange for caring for their children. Are you curious about learning more and considering if it’s right for you?

Do you enjoy playing with kids? Do you want to learn to speak the everyday language of a foreign country? Do you want to get an insider view of a country or culture? If you answered yes to these questions, consider becoming an au pair.

Why become an au pair? Au pairing differs from other living or studying abroad opportunities since you live and work with a local family. It may not be for everyone, but it can be an experience you’ll never forget! Check out these top reasons to become an au pair.

13 Good Reasons To Become An Au Pair

Why become an au pair? Because you’ll get to work with children while living your travel dreams!

Whether you are looking to improve your foreign language skills, seeking a local cultural experience, or want a fun summer job, au pairing may be for you. We’ve listed 13 great reasons to choose to be an au pair:

1. Spend time teaching and playing with kids

Spending time with kids is what au pairing is mainly about. You’ll spend most of your time entertaining or teaching the young ones. Imagine getting paid to build sand castles on the beach in Spain! That sounds better than the summer job flipping burgers at the local fast-food restaurant.

Every day isn’t easy. Kids are demanding, but they are also bundles of joy. If you’re great with kids, what would be a better job while exploring the world? If you have a knack with kids or want to pursue formal teaching down the road, au pairing is the perfect opportunity.

2. Learn to speak a foreign language

Au pairing is one of the fastest ways to get fluent in a foreign language. Learning a foreign language can be challenging, but with the five-year-old chatting your ear off, you’ll get plenty of practice! You’ll be exposed to the target language 24/7.

You’ll get full immersion in your language classes and at home and learn to use everyday words in context. Since you’ll be forced to speak the language, it’s much easier for it to stick. If foreign language learning is your goal, you can massively accelerate it with an au pair experience abroad.

3. Get room and board covered

Room and board are part of the package as an au pair.

When it comes to living abroad, one thing that hinders many is finding accommodations. That problem is solved with au pairing, room and board are part of the deal and provided in exchange for helping the family.

Living with a local family removes the headache of finding and living on your own in a new country. Plus, you’ll likely end up saving a lot of money to use for your weekend excursions. It’s a win-win, and another great reason to be an au pair.

4. Enjoy authentic cultural immersion

Though many tour companies and travel experiences claim to give you “cultural immersion,” there’s nothing like living with a local family to provide the full experience. Living with a local family is as authentic as it gets.

If you want to understand how to work with Italians, for example (know their customs, values, and behaviors), one of the best ways to do it is to live in Italy. What better way than by becoming an au pair?

5. Share your culture

When you think about going abroad, many focus on what they will gain. But think about the impact you’ll have on the locals. Au pairing is just as much about learning another culture as sharing yours.

When you become an au pair, you act as an unofficial “ambassador” for your home country for the people around you. This can be through teaching English and sharing your likes, interests, and daily habits.

Many people know the world through movies and media. Your presence and actions can change their perception of the people of your country. In many ways, au pairing is more of a cultural exchange between you and your host family.

6. Travel like a local

Discover those hidden gems when you travel like a local.

Don’t worry about tourist traps. Your au pair family will be sure you stay clear of those. Who doesn’t want all the hidden gems?

Your local family might take you to that remote Italian town on the coastline that Instagram influencers still haven’t discovered. If you’re always looking for ways to get off the beaten path, becoming an au pair abroad is a perfect way to do it.

7. Earn money while living abroad

Though not all au pair programs pay you, many provide enough of a stipend for weekend trips and pay for language classes. Do you feel like it’s too expensive to live abroad? Then the answer is to become an au pair. Don’t use your money to travel, get paid to do it!

8. Improve your resume with international and professional skills

Foreign language, communication skills, adaptability, cultural intelligence—the list goes on. On top of all that, you’ll get real-life practical experience with other cultures that will look great on your resume when recruiters are deciding between candidates.

Your CV will stand out because of your life as an au pair abroad. It’s not so much that you were a caretaker of children as much as the international exchange, language skills, communication, and cooperation that sets you apart.

So, when you’re applying for that law firm, medical program, or international company, you’ll likely be the top pick. Another one of the many reasons why you should be an au pair!

9. Have stability while traveling

You’ll have all the comfort of home thanks to your host family.

Should you be an au pair? Imagine having room and board covered AND work stability. Traveling is an amazing adventure, but having a steady income and “home base” can be very comforting. You’re free to immerse yourself in the local culture without worry.

Many study abroad programs may have a similar structure, but au pairing comes with the comfort of living in a family and community environment. For some, that stability is comforting when they’re far from home. And if you travel with your host family, you’ll get even more headache-free travel adventures!

10. Become an insider on local family life

If you ever want to get past the tourist traps and “Disneyland” travel vibes, au pairing is a great choice. Living with a Parisian family, for example, might not entail visiting the Eiffel Tower every day or promenading on the Champs Elysees. You will likely discover the quieter parks, local cafés with menus all in French, and hole-in-the-wall bookstores.

Get the ins and outs of the local market your host mother goes to and taste the real flavors of Parisian home cooking, something very different from the restaurant experience. Discover all the hidden gems and maybe get invited to the family château in southern France.

These experiences with locals are ones few travelers get to have. Since you’ll become another family member, you’ll experience the country through local eyes.

11. Get out of your comfort zone

Immersing yourself in another culture and way of life isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it!

Traveling and living abroad is challenging enough. Au pairing takes this to a whole new level. You’re not only facing a new culture, people, and language—it’s a completely different lifestyle under another family’s roof. That can be intimidating since you’ll be completely out of your comfort zone.

As difficult as it may sound, it’s one of the best parts about au pairing abroad. Why? Because it builds three vital life lessons: adaptability, resilience, and confidence.

The push out of your comfort zone is a great reason why you should be an au pair. If you can handle living with a host family from a different language and culture, you can do anything!

12. Build international friendships

There’s nothing as exciting as making new friends and sharing memories with them. It’s even better when those friends are from different parts of the world. You get a chance to share your culture and build lifelong connections.

These friendships are what make those bridges between people that seem worlds apart. You have a friend’s couch to crash on whenever you visit their home country. That’s something no amount of money can buy.

13. Discover yourself in a new way

You’ll see yourself in a new way when you work as an au pair.

You should be an au pair not just because you’ll get to travel, play with kids, and learn a new language. The experience can be a great means for personal growth. You’ll not only get out of your comfort zone, but you’ll also learn about yourself.

When you are removed from everything you know, you discover yourself all over again. Though It can be intimidating, it’s a great way to learn another aspect of your identity. In doing so you may gain more insights into what you truly want and desire on a deeper level.

Get custom au pair gap year program matches right now

3 Au Pair Programs to Get You Started

Now that we have covered the different reasons to become an au pair, how should you get started? Check out these three leading au pair programs located in top destinations around the world:

1. Wanderlust Culture Homestay English Teaching Program

• Why? If you’re between 18 and 25 and ready to dive into Chinese culture, this program is perfect for you. Live with a local Chinese family in one of the nation’s major cities. You’ll not only get ample time to practice your Mandarin, but you’ll also learn the ins and outs of Chinese culture.
• The package includes language classes, travel insurance, cultural activities, and a stipend in exchange for 30 weekly hours teaching English and au pairing with adorable kiddos. You might even discover the art of Chinese cooking as you help your host parents with dinner. Who can say no to that? If you’re hungry to embark on a cultural exchange of a lifetime, you’ll fit right in.
• Where? China
• Read Wanderlust Exchange reviews

2. Au Pair Italy – Complete Italian Cultural Experience

• Why? Calling all Italy lovers! Enjoy the family-oriented lifestyle during this au pair program. Feel right at home in Italy with a host family. Live, eat, and travel the streets of Milan or the canals of Venice.
• You’ll meet with your potential host family via video call and be carefully matched with one before leaving home. Learn about your new life including work expectations, responsibilities, and salary before making any commitments. And once you’ve settled in, you’ll receive a five-night accommodation in a hostel anywhere in Italy on your time off.
• Where? Italy
• Read Global Work & Travel reviews

3. Work and Cultural Exchange through LoPair Au Pair China

• Why? For those fascinated by Chinese culture, LoPair offers a unique au pair experience in China. You’ll live with a Chinese family, providing childcare and sharing your language while learning Mandarin.
• You will receive room and board, along with meals and other perks – from roundtrip international flights to holidays. You will also attend Mandarin lessons and monthly cultural courses. On top of these, you will get at least 1,500 RMB pocket money per month and extension bonus if you stay for 6 months or longer.
• Where? China
• Read LoPair Au Pair China reviews

Explore ALL Au Pair Gap Year Programs

Why become an au pair? Why NOT?

Get on the path to adventure and become an au pair.

Master that foreign language. Travel and get room and board covered. Dive deep into cultural immersion.

Becoming an au pair can be a life-changing experience for you and your host family. Lifelong international friends and even a second family are waiting for you.

So, why become an au pair? The question is, why not? If you’re committed to understanding a foreign culture while working, building your resume, and playing with kids, then you’ll love this job! You’ll have a home away from home and no longer be another traveler, you’ll be a local!