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 Denmark. 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 well known in Denmark – young people have been au pairing in different countries for many, many years.
• Applicants from Denmark are motivated by opportunities to improve their English, travel and the love of children.
• Applicants do not have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young people in Denmark have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are not common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Danes are open and relaxed about nudity.
• Danes consider themselves to be independent with strong family ties.

Child Care Practices

• Physical discipline is not common in Denmark.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, caring for neighbors or family members, or assisting in day care centers.
• Usually both parents share the childcare 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.
• A driving license is not difficult to obtain, but it is expensive.
• It takes approximately three months obtain a license in Denmark.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Denmark include:
  • Medical tests – hearing and sight
  • Theoretical written test with traffic rules and scenarios
  • Psychological test
  • Practical test
  • Fees
  • Driving on icy roads and nighttime driving practice
• The International driving permit is available.
• Applicants take at least 25 hours of formal driving lessons and practice driving using their parents’ car.
• Most cars have manual transmissions.

English Language Skills

• English is compulsory beginning at age 10.
• Classes focus on both oral and written skills.

Education

• Approximately 10% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university complete vocational training and find employment.
• The academic year in Denmark starts in August and ends mid-June.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are very important to applicants from Denmark.

Health

• The most common inoculations are pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella.
• Most young women are not inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• Denmark has a free health service.
• Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis.
• “Eating disorders” are not common, but do occur.

Diet

• Most young people in Denmark eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is not common.
• A typical Danish diet includes sandwiches, meat and dairy products, potatoes, rice or pasta. Generally speaking, Danes eat a lot of sweets, chocolate and cake as well.

Religion

• The most common religion in Denmark is Protestant.
• Few young people in Denmark practice their religion regularly.

Telephone & Internet

• Most homes have a telephone and a computer with access to the Internet.
• Family members will be able to take a message in English from a potential host family.
  

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