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 Hungary. 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 Hungary.
• Applicants from Hungary are motivated by study and travel opportunities.
• The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Hungary.
• Applicants sometimes have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young people in Hungary have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are not common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Nudity is accepted at home and is allowed in designated areas.

Child Care Practices

• Common discipline techniques include loss of privileges. Hungarian parents are generally strict and conventional.
• Physical discipline is not common in Hungary.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling and caring for family members and neighbors.
• 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 17. Most applicants obtain their driving license at age 17.
• A driving license is not difficult to obtain, but it is expensive.
• It takes approximately three to four months obtain a license in Hungary.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Hungary include:
  • Theoretical written test
  • Practical training-minimum 32 hours
  • Practical test
  • Fees
• The International driving permit is available.
• Applicants typically take formal driving lessons and practice driving using their parents’ car, though less than half the households in Hungary own a car.
• Most cars have manual transmissions.
  

English Language Skills

• Studying a language is compulsory, but not necessarily English. Those who choose English start classes at the age of 6-7 with 4-5 lessons a week. Classes are focused on written skills and grammar. There are many possibilities to attend language schools, or to take private lessons. These are more effective.
  

Education

• Approximately 75% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university work or travel abroad.
• The academic year in Hungary starts in September and ends in July.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are very important to applicants.

Health

• The most common inoculations are tetanus, diphtheria, tuberculin, polio, measles, and typhoid.
• Young women are inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis) on an annual basis.
• Hungary 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 Hungary eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is not common.
• Hungarian food is often spicy. A typical diet includes potatoes, breads, meat, fruit and vegetables.

Religion

• The most common religions in Hungary are Roman Catholic and Reformed.
• Most young people in Hungary do not practice their religion regularly.

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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