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 Turkey. 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 becoming common in Turkey.
• Applicants from Turkey are motivated by opportunities to improve their English and travel.
• The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Turkey.
• Applicants sometimes have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young people in Turkey 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 not common or socially acceptable.
• Turkish people describe themselves as family-oriented, active, and energetic.

Child Care Practices

• Common discipline techniques include verbal reprimands and time outs.
• Physical discipline is not common in Turkish cities, but occurs in rural areas.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling and babysitting.
• 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

• Applicants must graduate high school before being eligible for a driving license in Turkey.
• The minimum driving age is age 18. Most applicants obtain their driving license at age 18.
• A driving license is not difficult to obtain, but it is expensive.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Turkey include:
  • Health exam
  • Driving course-10 weeks
  • Theoretical exam
  • 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 most common foreign language option offered.
• In public schools, classes focus on written skills. In private schools, English education begins at the primary level and will have classes taught by a native English speaker.

Education

• Approximately 20% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university study certificate programs, start working, or get married and start a family.
• The academic year in Turkey starts in September and ends in June.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are very important to Turkish applicants.

Health

• The most common inoculations are polio, cholera, tetanus, typhoid, and tuberculin.
• Most young women are inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• Turkey does not have a free health service.
• Most young women do not visit the dentist on a regular basis.
• “Eating disorders” are not common.

Diet

• Most young people in Turkey eat meat, with the exception of pork.
• Vegetarianism is not common.
• A typical Turkish diet includes meat, nuts, fruit, vegetables, breads, and dairy products.

Religion

• The most common religion in Turkey is Muslim.
• Most young people in Turkey do not practice their religion regularly.

Telephone & Internet

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

Print this Page Email this Page

Login to your Account

Username:

Password:

Special Promotion

New host families:

Apply for $100
before January 15th.
That's a savings of $250!

View details & discounts.