American Au Pair?

[ShowMeYourTARDIS]

I've been thinking about working as an au pair for a year-18 months after I finish my degree. I'll hopefully be getting my bachelor's in Psychology next year, along with an. It mostly depends on if my university offers the classes I need at the right times.

My focus is on child development, and I'm getting my associate degree in it. From what I understand, there aren't associate degrees in most countries but Wikipedia says it's basically equivalent to a Foundation degree.

The only problem is that American au pairs do not seem to be held in high regard. I also don't speak any foreign languages well. I studied Spanish for a while, but I'm afraid I'm quite rusty.

Would I have any chance of getting working for a sane family?

There's visa problems that prevent most uk people from hiring Americans. May apply across the EU.

You will need to look into which countries you could go to.
Keep in mind the purpose of your time in another country, such as experiencing a different culture, improving your foreign language skills.

As long as you have some relevant child related experience, the fact that you speak native English (some parents actively search for an American candidate) will go in your favour.

Look into countries you can get visas for, and which languages you'd like to learn. There were plenty of American au pairs in Brussels when I last worked there (they are pretty hot on you attending language courses, hours worked per week, and minimum pay). It is by no means impossible.

Thank you all for the information. I'd love to improve my Spanish. All of my instructors have been from Latin America so I don't have much experience with the type of Spanish they speak in Spain.

I do have some experience with children and will have more by the time I graduate. It's all been with children 5-12 so far.

Where can I find visa information? And regulations about working hours, responsibilities, rights, etc.?

I suspect you'd find it very difficult to get a position in the EU. We had a really good part-time nanny applicant a couple of years ago and I looked into getting a Visa for her and it was impossible, even for 6 months.

The employment situation in Spain and Italy is very poor anyway, so you would be unlikely to get employment there.

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/

It's possible in France but you need to have a spine of steel to say no.

American au pairs can work in Germany.

What about Canada or New Zealand. I've always wanted to visit NZ in particular and maybe I can move there someday and get out of this insane country.