Au Pair in America

Culture Quests

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 Czech Republic. 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.

Au Pairs in General

• The idea of being an au pair is becoming common in Czech Republic.
• Applicants from Czech Republic are motivated by the opportunity to travel and improve English skills.
• Young people in Czech Republic have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are not common.
• Czech girls are very mature; most of them have already lived away from home.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Nudity in the home is not common, but sunbathing in the nude is accepted.
• Czech people describe themselves as hard-working, intelligent, and friendly.
  

Child Care Practices

• Children are strictly disciplined at home and in school.
• Physical discipline is not common in the Czech Republic.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, and caring for younger siblings or family members.
• Usually both parents share the childrearing responsibilities.
• It is common for both parents to work and be away from home during the day.

Driving Skills

• The minimum driving age is age 18.
• Most applicants obtain their driving license at age 18-20.
• A driving license is not difficult to obtain, but it is expensive.
• It takes approximately one month obtain a license in Czech Republic.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Czech Republic include:
  • Theoretical test
  • Practical test
  • Fees
• The International driving permit is available.
• Applicants typically practice driving using their parents' car.
• Most cars have manual transmissions.
  

English Language Skills

• English is not a compulsory subject in the Czech Republic. In high school pupils must choose at least one foreign language; 1/3 take German, 2/3 take English.
  

Education

• Approximately 15% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university find jobs.
• The academic year in Czech Republic starts in September and ends in June.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are very important to Czech applicants.

Health

• The most common inoculation is for hepatitis.
• Most young women are inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• Czech Republic has a free health service.
• Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis.
• "Eating disorders" are on the upswing in the Czech Republic.

Diet

• Most young people in Czech Republic eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is not common.
• Czech cuisine is influenced by that of Germany, Hungary and Poland. Meat is a typical feature, along with big portions of dumplings, potatoes or rice topped with a thick sauce, and vegetables.
  

Religion

• The most common religion in the Czech Republic is Christianity.
• Most young people in Czech Republic do not practice their religion regularly.
• Citizens of he Czech Republic generally don't work on Sundays.

Telephone & Internet

• Most homes have a telephone, and applicants have access to the Internet.
• Family members will not be able to take a message in English from a potential host family.
  

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