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 Latvia. 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 Latvia.
• The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Latvia.
• Applicants sometimes have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young people in Latvia have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are not common. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves from quite an early age, thus they are mature, which helps them in their au pair year.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Nudity is accepted and nude beaches are common in Latvia.
• Latvians describe themselves as smart, friendly, and polite.

Child Care Practices

• Physical discipline is not common in Latvia.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, caring for siblings and neighbors, or working in kindergartens.
• 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 18. Most applicants obtain their driving license at age 18.
• A driving license is not difficult to obtain.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Latvia 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; after obtaining a driving license, many will buy a car.
• Most cars have manual transmissions.

English Language Skills

• English is not compulsory, but most students choose to study it as a foreign language.
• Classes focus on both written and oral skills.

Education

• Approximately 60% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university find employment.
• The academic year in Latvia starts in September and ends in late May or early June.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are very important to Latvian applicants.

Health

• Most young women are inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• Latvia does not have a free health service.
• Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis, though it is expensive.
• “Eating disorders” are not common, but do occur.

Diet

• Most young people in Latvia eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is not common.

Religion

• The most common religions in Latvia are Lutheran and Catholic.
• Most young people in Latvia do not practice their religion regularly.

Telephone & Internet

• Most homes have a telephone and a computer with access to the Internet.
• Family members may not be able to take a message in English from a potential host family.

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