I am excited to start writing the blog for the Minneapolis and St. Paul cluster of Au Pair in America! Au pairs are young women who come to the US for a year to learn about our culture by living with a family and caring for their children. They also take college classes to get to know young Americans. They come from all over the world, more than 60 countries. They arrive with a J-1 visa.

Au pair programs are standardized by the federal government. The rules are:

– au pairs can work up to 45 hours per week, up to 10 hours per day, and up to 5 1/2 days per week. They get one weekend off every month and 2 weeks of paid vacation.

– au pairs take the equivalent of 6 semester credits at an accredited institution of higher learning

– au pairs cannot have any other employment besides caring for their host family’s children

It’s a great option for many families who like the idea of cultural exchange being part of their children’s upbringing.

I have been a Community Counselor since 2004. I have lived in the area almost my whole life, except for when I was in college in Wisconsin. I live with my husband and our three daughters in South Minneapolis.

Hopefully this blog will be a useful way to spread information about our cluster and about Au Pair in America!