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 Ireland. 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 Ireland.
• Applicants from Ireland are motivated by travel opportunities.
• The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Ireland.
• Applicants do not have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young people in Ireland 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 generally unacceptable.
• Irish are polite, friendly, and trustworthy.

Child Care Practices

• Common discipline techniques include loss of privileges or separation from others.
• Physical discipline is not common in Ireland.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, caring for younger family members, leading youth groups, or volunteering.
• 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 Irish drive on the left side of the road, so will need practice in the U.S.
• The minimum driving age is age 17. Approximately half of young women in Ireland obtain the driving license.
• A driving license is not difficult to obtain, but it is expensive.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Ireland include:
  • Theoretical written test
  • Driving lessons
  • Practical test
  • Fees
• The International driving permit is available.
• Applicants typically take formal driving lessons and practice driving using their parents’ car.
• Most cars have manual transmissions.

English Language Skills

• English is the native language of Ireland.

Education

• Approximately 30% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university work, or pursue vocational training.
• The academic year in Ireland starts in September and ends in June.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are seen as a benefit, but are not a deciding factor to Irish applicants.

Health

• The most common inoculations are diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella.
• Most young women are not inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• Ireland 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 Ireland eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is fairly common.
• A typical Irish diet includes meat, vegetables, potatoes, stews, and breads.

Religion

• The most common religions in Ireland are Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist.
• Most young people in Ireland do not practice their religion regularly.

Telephone & Internet

• Homes have telephones and a computer with access to the Internet.

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