What is the Best Country to Au Pair in?
When embarking on the au pair journey, the first step is determining which countries you can and cannot travel to as an au pair based on your nationality. Some destinations are open to international au pairs from all countries while others require specific visas and guidelines that apply only to EU au pairs and non-EU au pairs traveling outside the EU.
Making the decision of which country to au pair in is a crucial one for au pairs looking for an immersive learning experience and new language proficiency. A great strategy is asking a friend who has previously been an au pair where they would recommend visiting as an au pair. This provides insight into your host country, how life as an au pair might be there, as well as allowing comparison between both locations.
It is beneficial to become acquainted with your host country’s culture and to explore the best spots as an au pair there. Doing so will enable you to make the most of your time there.
Switzerland is an ideal option for au pairs looking to explore Europe during their au pair year. Situated in the center of Europe, it offers plenty of destinations and cities to choose from. Plus, Swiss families are incredibly welcoming – often providing free room and board to their au pairs!
Sweden is a popular choice for au pairs due to its proximity to other European nations. The average au pair salary in Sweden is high enough to cover travel expenses and leave you with plenty of pocket money for exploring Sweden’s stunning cities.
The country’s population is highly multicultural, making the language barrier easily overcome with some effort. Furthermore, the culture here is very family-oriented and welcoming – making it easy to make new friends during your au pair stay.
Spain is a popular country for au pairs, boasting an established culture of au pairing in the country and many Spanish-speaking au pairs. Spanish-speaking au pairs tend to be intelligent, cheerful and easy to get along with; plus they usually possess good English language proficiency.
Canada is an attractive option for au pairs, boasting a high average salary and plenty of possible host locations. Plus, it’s a stunning country with breathtaking landscapes and an inviting climate.
Canada is an excellent place to practice your English, particularly in larger cities. Furthermore, it’s an opportunity to experience Canadian culture while making a difference in children and their parents’ lives. Canada is known for its generous and warm welcome of au pairs, so it should come as no surprise that participants find great satisfaction from this program.
Denmark is an ideal destination for au pairs as it’s one of the happiest countries on Earth! Additionally, Danish is surprisingly easy to learn for native English speakers who speak other languages.
