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 Romania. 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

• Romanian young people are adept at learning foreign languages and are also very interested in new cultures.
• The idea of being an au pair is becoming common in Romania.
• Applicants from Romania are motivated by travel and education opportunities.
• The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Romania.
• Applicants sometimes have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young people in Romania have the permission of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are not common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Nudity is accepted.
• Romanians describe themselves as being hospitable, warm, and friendly.

Child Care Practices

• Physical discipline is not common in younger Romanian families, though may occur in older generations.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, caring for younger brothers and sisters, and babysitting.
• Usually both parents share the childcare 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 18.
• A driving license is not difficult to obtain.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Romania include:
  • Driving lessons
  • Theoretical test
  • 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 compulsory from the age of 10, and continues for 5-8 years depending on the school.
• Courses focus nowadays more on oral than written skills. Most high schools have at least one intensive English class.

Education

• Approximately 45% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university attend vocational or technical colleges.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are one of the main reason to apply.

Health

• Most young women are inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• Romania has a free health service.
• Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis.
• “Eating disorders” are common.

Diet

• Most young people in Romania eat meat, except for six weeks before Christmas and seven weeks before Easter.
• Vegetarianism is common.
• A typical Romanian diet includes cornmeal, pork, stews, roasts, and casseroles with vegetable, salads, sour pickles, and sauerkraut.

Religion

• The most common religion in Romania is Romanian Orthodox.
• Most young people in Romania do not practice their religion regularly.

Telephone & Internet

• Most homes have a telephone.
• Applicants have access to the Internet at school or in Internet cafes.
• Family members may not be able to take a message in English from a potential host family.
  

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