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 Malta. 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 a new concept in Malta.
• Applicants from Malta are motivated by travel opportunities.
• Young people in Malta have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Nudity is illegal in public and generally unacceptable.
• Maltese describe themselves as warm and hardworking. Maltese children live with their parents until they get married.

Child Care Practices

• Common discipline techniques include verbal discipline (shouting is common).
• Physical discipline is not common in Malta.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, babysitting, or volunteering.
• Usually the mother does the majority of 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 Malta include:
  • Written test
  • Driving lessons
  • Practical test
  • Fees
• The International driving permit is available.
• A few applicants will have their own car; however, they typically take formal driving lessons and practice driving using their parents’ car.
• Most cars have manual transmissions.

English Language Skills

• English is one of two official languages in Malta.

Education

• A low percentage of young women continue their studies at university.
• Most young women enter the workforce or study at the Institute of Tourism.
• The academic year in Malta starts in October and ends in June.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are fairly important to applicants.

Health

• The most common inoculations are tetanus, mumps, measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis.
• Most young women are inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• Malta 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 Malta eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is not common.
• A typical Maltese diet includes soups, pasta, rice, meat, and cheese.

Religion

• The most common religion in Malta is Roman Catholic.
• Most young people in Malta 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.

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