Culture Quests
Bosnia
Southeastern Europe
Capital: Sarajevo
Languages: Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Useful links: CIA World Factbook
Au Pairs in General | Child Care Practices | Driving Skills | English Language Skills
Education | Health | Diet | Religion | Telephone and Internet
The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Bosnia. Although au pairs from this country may or may not have had these experiences/beliefs, Au Pair in America wishes to share this general information with our families.
- The idea of being an au pair is becoming common in Bosnia.
- Applicants from Bosnia are motivated by the chance to see the U.S. and experience a new culture, to improve their English language skills, to make new friends, to gain more childcare experience, and to be more independent.
- The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Bosnia.
- Applicants sometimes have difficulty affording the program fees and often apply for a bank loan to apply to the program.
- Curfews are not common for girls over age 18.
- Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
· Nudity is generally not accepted. - Bosnians are open-minded, open-hearted, and a bit underestimated.
- Common discipline techniques include talking about the problem.
- Physical discipline is not common in Bosnia.
- Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, helping family members, or taking care of neighbors'children.
- Usually both parents share the childrearing responsibilities.
- It is common for both parents to work and be away from home during the day.
- The minimum driving age is age 18. Most applicants obtain their driving license by age 25.
- A driving license is not difficult to obtain, but it is VERY expensive- it costs more than the average months salary.
- It takes approximately three months obtain a license in Bosnia.
- The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Bosnia include:
- Theoretical written test
- Driving lessons
- Practical test
- Fees
- The International driving permit is available and affordable.
- Applicants must take formal driving lessons and practice driving using their parents’ car.
- Most cars have manual transmissions.
- English is compulsory at primary, high school and university level.
- Courses are focused on both written and oral skills.
- Approximately 30% of young women continue their studies at university.
- Those who do not attend university have the option to attend courses to earn a qualification,or they start working as a sales person, waitress,etc.
- The academic year in Bosnia starts in September and ends in July.
- The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are very important to Bosnian applicants.
- The most common inoculations are tetanus, diphtheria, and polio.
- Most young women are not inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
- Bosnia has a free health service.
- Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis.
- “Eating disorders” are not common.
- Most young people in Bosnia eat meat.
- Vegetarianism is not common.
- The most common religions in Bosnia are Islam, Orthodox, Catholicism, and Judaism. Bosnia is a multi-thnic country.
- Most young people in Bosnia practice their religion only for holidays or special occasions.
- Most homes have a telephone.
- Applicants have access to the Internet largely in Internet cafes.
- Family members may not be able to take a message in English from a potential host family.
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