Top 5 Reasons to Choose the Au Pair Life
Have you been thinking about spending some time abroad as an au pair but aren’t sure if you should take the leap? To help you decide, here are five solid reasons why it might be worth it:
1. Become an English Pro 🗣️
If you want to finally speak English fluently, becoming an au pair is a great way to get there. You'll be surrounded by the language in everyday life, whether it'd be at home, the playground, the local cafe, or together with other international au pairs. As you interact with your host kids, family, and new friends, your language skills will improve naturally and steadily, without the need for formal lessons or flashcards.
In the USA, your host family also pays $500 toward college courses you can choose yourself. This is a great chance to combine daily life experience with structured learning.
2. Become part of a new culture 🌏
To really understand a culture, you have to live it, not just visit. Tourists don’t usually get this chance, but as an au pair, you become part of your host family’s everyday life. You share meals, take part in routines, and celebrate holidays like Halloween or Thanksgiving in the USA, or even Christmas in summer if you’re an au pair in Australia.
It’s not always glamorous and easy, but this inside experience is what really sets it apart from regular travel or other cultural exchange programs abroad.
3. Discover a new country 🧭
Your main responsibility is caring for your host children, but there’s still plenty of time to explore. You’ll have free time during the week, paid vacation days, and a travel period at the end. In the U.S., that’s a 13th month just for travel. In Australia and New Zealand, you can stay for up to six extra months. Whether it’s weekend trips, road adventures, or new hobbies, how you spend that time is up to you. Just remember to save a bit of your weekly allowance to make it happen.
4. Make living abroad affordable 💸
Not everyone can afford a traditional exchange program or a gap year. Many of those options come with high upfront costs for tuition, housing, and travel which makes them inaccessible for people without financial support from home. The au pair program is different. In exchange for your duties as a caregiver, you receive free room and board, pocket money, and in the U.S. program, even your flights are covered. That makes it possible for people from all backgrounds to live abroad, gain real experience, and even save a bit along the way.
5. Enjoy yourself — Even on the tough days 😊
Being an au pair comes with challenges. Some days are long and tiring, and there will be moments when you miss home, family, and friends. But alongside those tough times, you’ll experience plenty of joy and growth. You’ll share laughs, and celebrate small victories, like when your host child says their first words in your language or when you solve a tricky situation on your own. These moments build your confidence and independence. Along the way, you’ll make lasting friendships with both locals and fellow au pairs, and maybe even find a second family who will stay important to you long after your year abroad ends.
Ready to take the plunge?
If any of these five reasons resonate with you, why not take a couple of minutes for the first step? Simply fill out our short, non-binding application.