How to decide to be an AuPair?

Lately in Mexico, there is a fashion coming about AuPair Agencies that promote the AuPair system. In my experience, in Mexico there are two of the biggest Agencies: Cultural Care from EF Education and there is another named Mex AuPair (Smaller compared with Cultural Care).

But, What do I have to consider before choosing to be an AuPair?

1. Experience with children: We have to consider that a child is not a toy, yes, part of being with him is to entertain him, to take care of him takes more than only entertainment. Imagine that he/she is like your little brother/sister that you have to take care of, leaving him/her to school, everything as a big brother/sister, teaching him as well what is right or wrong, what is acceptable and what is not. And Overall, take in mind that while he/she is under your care, it is completely your responsibility, what is is very important to be well informed about the most common diseases, moods, etc. To make big story short: To know very well the child, when he/she is tired, sad, in bad mood, and to detect the cause of the actual mood.

2. Destination Country: The world is big enough as the cultural diversity, also the weather and vegetation. Is very important to know all details from the wishes countries, culture, weather, language and the most possible information of the same. If you don´t like heat, you won´t feel comfortable in a country like Australia, a summer in Africa or Las Vegas.

For the same, is important not only to know where do you want to go, also to know the main goal or purpose. To improve the language is clear enough that is the main purpose, but, what is the exact purpose to learn the language in the future. This is the goal that you have to know clearly.

3. Procedures and Expenses: According to the destination country, the expenses vary for Visa, flights and other expenses. Europe for us will be always the most expensive destination, the flight is expensive compared to a flight to the USA. A flight to Europe go around the 15 to the 20 or 30 thousand mexican pesos (around 1,300 USD to the 2,000 USD), this is affected also for the season in the year, how far or near the due date you are and of course the class you choose for the same. As per we are very "poor hungry students" (sorry, mexican slang mixing Hungry and Student), we will use always economic class.

4. Family: This is almost the final step. I said almost, because firstly you analysed the pros and cons, the destination, the goal and expenses before deciding to be an AuPair. To be more exact, the last step is the Visa procedure, passport, Drive License and other procedures which will vary according to the destination country and case.

             a) Election: To choose a Family, the logic is simple. We have have an agreement with our tasks as AuPair, the family rules and of course, the salary you will receive as AuPair. Remember to have on mind that you will be offered the minimum stated by the Embassy of each country. There are some families that offers something else, a little "Pocket Money" which is a little extra money for daily expenses, others offer to be free on using the AuPair car with gas expenses for your travels, between others. But Beware! this can be also a promise to engaged you on choosing them, have always on mind that what is not written is like it has never happened. Please, do not have the bigger illusions, think that with having the minimum stated by the Embassy is more than enough.

      b) Questions for the Family: As well as Mex AuPair told us, the agency that I will be based on... Ask eeeeeeeeverything!. Sometimes we are shy to ask, but you must know the most possible from the Family as well as the family must ask about you.

  Questions you may ask to the Family:
* How many Children are? ¿Which is the age of each of them?
* Which will be an example schedule for you?
* Which religion have the family?
* Does the children have any allergy, or any Chronic disease you must be aware at?
* How far or near is the Language School according to the home or children school?
* Which other languages does the family speak?
* Which task you will have in the house?
* Which holidays does the family has planned and when may you take yours?

  Questions you may be asked by the Family:
* How old are you?
* Do you have little brothers and/or sisters?
* How much do you know about their language?
* Do you drive? (normally a car)
* Do you have a basic knowledge on First Aids? (I recommend to take one in the red Cross in you local area, trust me, you will need it sooner or later)
* How much time do you want to stay here? (some countries allow you to stay up to 2 years)
* Why do you decided to be an AuPair and which is you goal in the future?

This are some of the most basic points, slowly I will publish more about each question and the importance of both sides to know every of this questions. If you have any question, or one in special, please comment here and I will be answering you gratefully.

Best Regards!
Claudia