Au Pair in America

About Us

Au Pair in America's Worldwide Network

Au Pair in America has a worldwide team dedicated to providing you with a reliable source of child care and a once-in-a-lifetime cultural exchange experience for your family.

Au Pair in America, the original and most recognized au pair program in the United States is a division of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS). With over 40 years of experience, AIFS is a leader in the educational and cultural exchange arena. More than 40,000 people participate each year on AIFS programs—more than 1.2 million since its founding in 1964. We maintain offices in Stamford, Connecticut; London, England; Sydney, Australia; Bonn, Germany and Warsaw, Poland.

Community Counselors - Local Support

Au Pair in America has a network of more than 180 community counselors in the United States. Au Pair in America’s strength is our nationwide network of community counselors, one of whom will reside in or near your community and maintain contact with you and your au pair throughout the program. Find out more.

Interviewers Overseas - One on One Screening

Au Pair in America has more than 300 interviewers around the world. The interviewers overseas are responsible for screening and interviewing candidates. Our team supervises the recruitment activities of the interviewers throughout the world. We strive to maintain quality applications that are consistent with our program standards and host family needs.

U.S. Headquarters - 24 / 7 Support

Our staff based in Connecticut provides support to all program participants. Selection and distribution of applications for consideration by host families is supported by a placement team. Regional Program Managers assist the activities of our community counselors throughout the country. We handle the logistics associated with visas, flights and the orientation program.

Biography: Ruth Ferry

Ruth Ferry is senior vice president and director of Au Pair in America. With 36 years of international cultural exchange experience, Ferry is the responsible officer for the Visitor Exchange Program of the Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau of the United States Department of State. She has been director of Au Pair in America since 1998 and prior to that was assistant director for seven years.
Read more about Ruth Ferry.