Au Pair in America: live-in child care.

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 Iceland. 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 common in Iceland, though the numbers of applicants has diminished due to low unemployment rates.
• Applicants from Iceland are motivated by cultural curiosity.
• The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Iceland.
• Applicants do not have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young people in Iceland have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are not common in Iceland.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Nudity is not a source of embarrassment, and topless sunbathing is common.
• Icelanders describe themselves as independent, hard working, well informed and educated.

Child Care Practices

• Icelandic children are raised to be independent and self-reliant. They are supposed to be well behaved, but at the same time relaxed and open and able to speak up for themselves and express their opinions freely. This can sometimes be mistaken for being forward or even rude, when it is meant to show their maturity and independence.
• Physical discipline is not common in Iceland.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, caring for younger siblings, or working at summer camps.
• 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

• Most applicants obtain their driving license at age 17 or18.
• A driving license is not difficult or expensive to obtain.
• It takes approximately one month obtain a license in Iceland.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Iceland include:
  • Driving lessons-40 hours total
  • Theoretical written test
  • Practical test
  • Fees
  • Toxicology tests for drugs and alcohol
• The International driving permit is available.
• Applicants must take formal driving lessons and practice driving using their parents’ car; though it is quite common for applicants to have their own car.
• Cars are 50% automatic and 50% standard.
  

English Language Skills

• English is compulsory from ages 11 to 16. Further classes are often taken at he university level.
  
• Classes focus on both written and oral skills.

Education

• Approximately 35% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university take diploma courses in computer science, carpentry, hair styling or other industries.
• The academic year in Iceland starts in August and ends in May.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are important to applicants for both the educational aspect and the socialization aspect.
  

Health

• The most common inoculations are Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemofilus influenzae (Hib.), Morbilli/measles, Parotitis epidemica/Mumps, Rubella. These inoculations are given to children at school at the age of 5, 9 and 14. Infants are also inoculated at the age of 3, 5 and 12 months old.
• Most young women are not inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• All Icelanders are insured by the National Health Service in Iceland. Minimal payments are made for doctor visits and medication. Visits to specialists are more expensive, but still reasonable. Hospital visits are included in the National 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 Iceland eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is not common.
• A typical Icelandic diet includes lots of fish and lamb, dairy products and potatoes.

Religion

• The most common religion in Iceland is Lutheran.
  
• Most young people in Iceland do not 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.

Print this Page