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 India. 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 not common in India.
• The job potential of an au pair improves greatly upon her return to India.
• Young people in India do not have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Nudity is considered indecent.
• Indians consider themselves to be dynamic, ambitious, and traditional.

Child Care Practices

• Physical discipline is not common in India.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling or working at nursery schools and day care centers.
• Usually the mother is responsible for the childcare responsibilities.
• It becoming more common for both parents to work and be away from home during the day.

Driving Skills

• Indians drive on the left side of the road, so will need practice in the U.S.
• It is not common for an Indian woman to have a driving license.
• A driving license is not difficult or expensive to obtain; however, only wealthy women obtain a driving license.
• In order to obtain a driving license in India, you must follow these steps:
  • Driving lessons
  • Practical test
  • Fees
• Applicants typically do not have a car to drive or practice with.
• Most cars have manual transmissions.

English Language Skills

• English is offered in most schools.
• Classes focus on both oral and written communication.

Education

• Very few young women continue their studies at university.
• The academic year in India starts in July and ends in April.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are an attractive feature to applicants.

Health

• The most common inoculations are BCG, Polio, and TB.
• Most young women are inoculated and tested for TB (Tuberculosis).
• India does not have a free health service.
• Most young women do not visit the dentist on a regular basis, as treatment is expensive.
• “Eating disorders” are not common, but do occur.

Diet

• Most young people in India do not eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is very common.
• Though a significant portion of Indian food is vegetarian, many traditional Indian dishes also include chicken, goat, lamb, fish, and other meats. Beef is not eaten by most Hindus, and pork is not consumed by Muslims.

Religion

• The most common religions in India are Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism.
• Most young people in India practice their religion regularly.

Telephone & Internet

• Many homes do not have a telephone.
• Computer and email access is limited.
• Family members should be able to take a message in English from a potential host family.

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