Monthly Archives: July 2016

A northern Virginia au pair comes back for a visit

Latvian Au Pair, Zane

“Three years ago I left my everyday life in Sweden to become an Au Pair in America. I wasn’t sure what to expect other then hoping to experience the American culture and take care of children. I could never imagine having such a great year as I did! I lived outside of Washington DC in a family with three children. During my year, my host family became like a second family to me, the children were not only my host children, they were like my little siblings and my host mom became a really good friend. My year in America turned out to be the best thing I have ever done so far in life.

This June I visited my host family again and even though a lot of time has passed it all felt the same. Seeing the children again was wonderful and we spent a lovely weekend catching up on everything that has happened since I left. I consider myself very lucky having a second family in America and this is an experience I wish everyone could have.”

Planning a vacation?

With Memorial Day just passed and Fourth of July coming soon, I wanted to remind everyone about program rules on holidays and vacations.

Holidays

  • Host families are NOT REQUIRED to give au pairs any specific holidays.
  • Each host family will make different arrangements on holidays, some au pairs will be off and others will be required to work.
  • Au pairs should NOT make plans for holidays without checking with your host family FIRST.

luggage malias

Vacation

  • Au pair earns 2 weeks of paid vacation during the course of her year.
  • The host family can pick a week and the au pair can pick a week, if an agreement is not reached.
  • All vacation should be preplanned (at least 4 weeks in advance.)
  • All au pair’s friends and/or family visits/vacations should be pre-approved prior to purchasing a ticket.
  • If an au pair travels with their host family, it should be discussed UP FRONT whether this is the au pair’s vacation or if she is working.
  • If an au pair travels with the host family to work, the host family is required to pay for her transportation, lodging and meals.

Important: An au pair MUST have her DS2019 signed PRIOR to her departure from the US. More info. about this can be found on the right side of this page under “Travel Links for Au Pairs.”