Canada

August 5, 2019 by

AU PAIR CULTURE QUESTS

CANADA

North America
Capital: Ottowa
Language(s): English, French
Religion(s): Christianity

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Kids Culture Corner: Canada
CIA World Factbook

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Canada. 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.

Child Care Skills

Family

English Skills

Driving Skills

Education

Health

Child Care Skills

Childcare in Canadian families shares many cultural similarities to that of American families.
Canadians obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, babysitting, or working in childcare centers, after school programs, or summer camps.
It is common for young people to babysit for their younger siblings or relatives.

Family

Family dynamics in Canada and the USA are often similar. The average household has 1-2 children.
The majority of households have both parents working, so parenting responsibilities are shared. It is common for both parents to work during the day.
As in the USA, many families also have close ties with extended family members, grandparents etc.

English Skills

Canada has two official languages, English and French, though the majority of Canadians speak, read and write only English.
Even in Quebec, most Canadians are fluent in English.
Education is primarily in English (outside of Quebec), although a small number of students enroll in a French Immersion (all French) program at some point in their education.

Driving Skills

Each province governs the age and fees to obtain a driving license. The minimum age is 16. Many provinces have graduated licensing programs that limit the number of passengers and times of day drivers can drive.
Most provinces require a vision test and a written or oral exam assessing the knowledge of laws, signs and rules of the road before the candidate can be assessed on their practical driving skills. It may be two years before an applicant is able to drive without restrictions.
Use of the family car is the most common method of gaining experience, but many teens may have their own car. Most cars have an automatic transmission.

Education

The Canadian education system is ranked among the best in the world.
Since Canada is a bilingual country, English-language and French-language schools are available across the country (even in areas where one language is more commonly spoken than the other).
The majority of young people continue their studies at a college or university.

Health

Canada is known for its very good, publicly-funded healthcare system.
The healthcare system in Canada is socialized and with few exceptions provides coverage to all Canadian citizens regardless of age, income or medical history.
It is publicly funded and administered on a provincial or territorial basis, within guidelines set by the federal government.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

Canadians are patriotic, but perhaps don’t express this as openly as US citizens.
Every province is known for its own individual traits.
It’s common for young people to be involved in sports and outdoor activities. Hockey tends to be the most popular sport across the country, but soccer, baseball, football and basketball are very popular as well.

FUN FACTS:

Most Canadians actually do not say ‘eh’… but it can happen occasionally!
Canada is the second largest country in the world, stretching from the Pacific in the west to the Atlantic in the east; and from the Arctic Ocean in the north, to the Great Lakes in the south.
Canadians always like to talk about the weather, and are quick to reassure you that it actually doesn’t snow all year round, except in the Far North.

“BEST experience of your life. The people you meet, your host family, the experiences are things you will never forget. If you are worried, there is no need. Au Pair in America supports au pairs; they are always there for you every step of the way.” – Julie, au pair from Canada

“It is the most rewarding experience I have ever had. My host family really has become my extended family. It’s your opportunity to make the most of – it’s only going to be as good as you make it!” – Tessa, au pair from Canada

“Please do it, it will change your life for the better! A great experience!”– Megan, au pair from Canada

“I love that my children are learning about another culture. I like that I can feel good about the excellent and loving care that my kids receive while I am at work.”

Lori, host parent
Wisconsin

Brazil

August 2, 2019 by

AU PAIR CULTURE QUESTS

BRAZIL

South America
Capital: Brasilia
Language(s): Portuguese
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity

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Kids Culture Corner: Brazil
CIA World Factbook

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Brazil. 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.

Child Care Skills

Family

English Skills

Driving Skills

Education

Health

Child Care Skills

Brazilians have big families so they start taking care of younger family members from a young age.
Brazilians are very warm people and when taking care of children, they make sure to show children how loved they are.
Brazilians are quite creative and they use this to their advantage when working with children.

Family

It is common for young Brazilians to live with their parents until they get married.
Families are usually quite big. It is common for families to get together for a weekly lunch.
Brazilians put a lot of emphasis on respecting older members of the family.

English Skills

Brazilians start learning English in fifth grade.
On average, they start getting serious about learning English at the age of 16.
Brazilian applicants have their level of English assessed through a personal interview and taking the iTEP (International Test of English Proficiency).

Driving Skills

Brazilians usually start driving at the age of 18.
Brazilians are used to driving in busy city traffic.
A lot of people need to drive on highways every day to go to work or to college/university.

Education

Compulsory education lasts for 12 years.
It’s very common for Brazilians to have some kind of art education.
A high proportion of Brazilians go on to study at a university.

Health

The public health services in Brazil are universal and available to all citizens of the country for free.
Millions of affluent Brazilians also have private health care coverage.
Hay fever is quite common in Brazil.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

Brazilians are known to be very welcoming and hospitable.
Generally, Brazilians like to be close to other people. It is common for them to touch and hug other people when talking to them or being around them.
Brazilians are very caring. They are generally quite laid back, but they can be strict when needed.

FUN FACTS:

When Brazilians turn 15, they usually have a big party or a big trip – it’s an important age for Brazilians.
Brazilians have countless religions. They are very relaxed about mixing religions.
Brazil has the most successful national soccer team. So far, they have won five FIFA World Cups.

USEFUL PHRASES:

How are you? Tudo bem?
Fine, thanks. Bem, obrigada.
My name is… Meu nome é…
Nice to meet you. Prazer em conhecê-lo.
Thank you. Obrigada.

“Go for it. Be positive and open. It has been one of the most important experiences in my life.”– Jade, au pair from Brazil

“This is a great experience that will help you grow personally and professionally. Seriously, you will never regret of your decision!” – Natalia, au pair from Brazil

“I totally recommend this experience! Besides it being the best year of my life, when I came back to my home country, I had many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had if it wasn’t for this year as an Au Pair.” – Ludmila, au pair from Brazil

“You can not beat the flexibility of the Au Pair program. My au pairs have been so great that my friends want to steal them and take them home!”

Catherine , host parent
Connecticut

Bosnia

August 2, 2019 by

AU PAIR CULTURE QUESTS

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

Central/Southern Europe
Capital: Sarajevo
Languages: Bosnian, Croatian & Serbian
Predominant Religion(s): Islam / Roman Catholic

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CIA World Factbook

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Bosnia & Herzegovina. 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.

Child Care Skills

Family

English Skills

Driving Skills

Education

Health

Child Care Skills

Bosnians are used to taking care of their siblings and cousins.
Usually, both parents share the responsibility of bringing up their children.
Bosnians tend to talk to their children about their behavior in order to encourage better behavior.

Family

Two or more children per family is common.
Children are taught responsibility by giving them small tasks and duties from an early age such as shopping in a nearby grocery shop or bakery, tidying up their bedrooms, helping to prepare meals and clearing up dishes.
Bosnia is a very family-oriented country and seeing other family members is important. Parents like to spend time with their children outdoors and sports are encouraged.

English Skills

English is taught at all levels of education and lessons start in grade 4 (age 10).
English classes focus on oral and written skills.
Bosnians have everyday contact with spoken English when watching TV, going to the cinema or using the Internet. Still, a lot of children attend additional English lessons at schools for foreign languages.

Driving Skills

The minimum driving age in Bosnia is 18.
The process of obtaining a license usually takes about 3 months and is very expensive – the process includes a theory test, driving lessons and the practical test.
Bosnian drivers are used to driving in difficult situations as roads can be in a poor state without guardrails, and the weather can change very rapidly in the winter months – Bosnians are used to driving in fog, ice and snow.

Education

Parents put a lot of focus on children’s education from a very young age.
Most children in Bosnia start school when they are 6 and finish high school when they are 18/19. Students who have graduated from general secondary schools get the Matura and opt to enrol in any faculty or college after passing a qualification examination and students who graduated from technical schools get a Diploma.
The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina has 8 universities and private and public higher educational systems are governed by the same laws and treated equally.

Health

Bosnia has been working hard to better its health system since declaring independence following the Balkan War of the 1990s, and Bosnia is still receiving aid in order to achieve this.
The post-war “Law on Health Insurance” ensures that each person receives a basic health care package regardless of income and available resources.
It is common to visit the dentist on a regular basis.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

Bosnian people describe themselves as sociable and hospitable, as well as curious and direct.
Family, work, sports, music, entertainment, children, local cultural events, good restaurants, and the weather are always good topics to talk about with Bosnians when meeting or speaking to them for the first time.
Bosnians are very proud of their heritage and culture and they love a sense of community. They are also very respectful of their elders.

FUN FACTS:

Bosnian coffee is one of the strongest coffees in the world and Bosnians love drinking coffee!
Bosnians love their unique wedding traditions, which includes the wedding party tooting their horns all the way to the venue and the bride serving coffee to her guests.
The name “Bosnia” comes from an Indo-European word Bosana, which means water, which is perfect as the country is covered with beautiful lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and a strip of the Adriatic Sea.

USEFUL PHRASES:

How are you? Kako si ti?
Fine, thanks. Dobro, hvala.
My name is… Moje ime je
Nice to meet you! Drago mi je!
Thank you. Hvala.

“My au pair experience was a turning point in my life. In 2008 I was 21, and I arrived in the hotel in Connecticut with all other the au pairs from all over the world. Since that moment my life began to unfold in a direction I never imagined.” – Hanka, au pair from Bosnia

“Use the time you spend in America wisely. Don’t hesitate to meet new people, travel and encounter new situations.” – Azra, au pair from Bosnia

“Being an Au Pair will help you understand yourself, learn how to be flexible, mature, grown up and independent.” – Vanessa, au pair from Bosnia

“I like the opportunity to see American life as an insider, to come to know the traditions and customs, approach to bringing up children, managing the household, learning peculiarities of eveyday language, American cuisine, and just the chance to hear from the children I love you.”

Ekaterina, au pair
Russia

Bolivia

August 2, 2019 by

AU PAIR CULTURE QUESTS

BOLIVIA

Western Central South America
Capital: Sucre
Languages: Spanish
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity
(Roman Catholic)

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USEFUL LINKS

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Kids Culture Corner: Bolivia
CIA World Factbook

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Bolivia. 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.

Child Care Skills

Family

English Skills

Driving Skills

Education

Health

Child Care Skills

Applicants obtain their child care experience through formal schooling, volunteering with girl scouts, working at child care centers, coaching sports and babysitting.
It is common for Bolivian people to take care of younger family members, and it’s therefore natural to look after siblings and cousins.
Helping with housework and helping children with their homework is part of the cultural habits in Bolivia, and children are taught responsibility by giving them small tasks from a young age.

Family

Two or more children per family is very common in Bolivia.
Bolivians are very close to their parents, and in most cases they live with them forever or until they get married.
Bolivia is a very family-oriented country. It is very common to visit other family members over holidays or weekends.

English Skills

English is taught at all levels of education and is a compulsory subject in every kind of school from first grade to graduation. English classes focus on oral and written skills.
Most young people also study English in private institutions and they also get the opportunity to practice English by watching movies on TV or at the cinema and by talking with tourists.
The opportunity to improve their language skills during the Au Pair in America program is one of the reasons Bolivian applicants join the program.

Driving Skills

The minimum driving age in Bolivia is 18, and most applicants obtain their driving license at this age.
The process of obtaining the license is at least 2 months long, and applicants take formal driving lessons before they are allowed to take the exam.
Bolivians are used to driving on difficult roads as the quality of a road can vary widely.

Education

Education in Bolivia consists of 5 years of primary school, 3 years of intermediate school and 4 years of secondary education.
Secondary school ends with the baccalaureate degree, which is a prerequisite for university.
There is still a divide between education levels in rural areas and urban areas – literacy in urban areas has received a lot of focus and money, and levels are increasing, but in rural areas, literacy levels can still be quite low.

Health

Bolivia’s healthcare system is currently under reform, but there is still a long way to go to cover the medical needs of the population. Free healthcare is available to young mothers and newborns.
A high percentage of the population does not have access to healthcare, but healthcare is provided to the working population. However, workers subsidize the cost themselves through monthly deductions from their salary.
Private insurance is available, and if you are in a position to pay private fees for you and your family, you will be seen at private clinics and hospitals.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

Bolivian people describe themselves as friendly and hard working.
Bolivia people have strong family ties.
Traditions and culture are very important values for young people.

FUN FACTS:

The amazing “Cristo de la Concordia” statue in Cochabamba city is the biggest in the world; it was built in memory of Papa Juan Pablo II.
The green lake located in Potosi city at the foot of Licancabur, one of the largest active volcanoes, is one of the most wonderful lakes in the world. The green color is due to high levels of magnesium in the water.
The slowest flowering plant in the world comes from Bolivia. The “Puya Raymundi” is a very strange and unusual plant. Discovered in 1870, the flower only appears when the plant is 80 to 150 years old.

USEFUL PHRASES:

How are you? Como estás?
Fine, thanks. Bien, gracias.
My name is… Mi nombre es…
Nice to meet you! Mucho gusto!
Thank you. Gracias.

“It is a good opportunity to learn more about new cultures and to improve your English.”– Paula – au pair from Bolivia

“It’s a special and important experience – I shared my culture and customs with my host family, especially with the children.”– Very – au pair from Bolivia

“Au Pair in America is the best way to learn about American culture and about other cultures as you meet people from all over the world!”– Luz – au pair from Bolivia

“I like that I can go off to work knowing that I am leaving my children in their own home, happy and eager to spend the day with someone I trust and like very much.”

Hannah, host parent
Maryland

Austria

July 29, 2019 by

AU PAIR CULTURE QUESTS

AUSTRIA

Western Europe
Capital: Vienna
Languages: German
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity

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Kids Culture Corner: Austria
CIA World Factbook

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Austria. 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.

Child Care Skills

Family

English Skills

Driving Skills

Education

Health

Child Care Skills

Most Austrians gain their childcare experience by looking after younger family members or babysitting for family friends or neighbors.
Others also engage in a sports/church club as group leaders or take on an internship in a kindergarten.
There are a lot of “kindergarten schools” (Bakips) in Austria. Students graduate with a High School Diploma as well as a certificate as a Qualified Kindergarten Teacher.

Family

Depending on their age, most Austrians will still be living at home with their families when they apply for the program.
Austrian families are generally rather small with one to three children.
Both parents usually work, and children are used to helping with household chores.

English Skills

Most applicants start English classes at the age of 10.
Austrian applicants generally have quite a high level of English.
A lot of young people in Austria also watch English TV shows as they want to keep up with the newest shows which are out first in English.

Driving Skills

Obtaining a driving license in Austria is a lengthy and expensive process.
At “driving school,” they have to undertake the so called “Multiphase Education,” which includes theory classes and a theory test, a first aid course, a medical check, driving lessons, a practical test, safe driving training and a psychological course after they get their license.
A lot of applicants also do the so called “L17” which involves driving lessons with a driving teacher and driving with parents who receive special training for this purpose.

Education

Compulsory education finishes after 9th grade (age 15/16), and students can continue with high school, go to another college, take up an apprenticeship or seek employment.
High school finishes after 12th grade, vocational school after 13th grade (ages 17/18/19), and students get their diploma to continue with university or a job.
The option of being an au pair is becoming more and more popular since many young Austrians are interested in new cultures and languages.

Health

Austria has a public health system that is free for young people up until the age of 27 if they are still in education. They are usually insured through their parents.
Workers are insured by their employer and the unemployed are insured by the Public Unemployment Agency.
Austria uses an electronic system called ELGA which stores electronic prescriptions, hospital reports, X-rays and test results and allows for them to be shared.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

Austrians are open-minded, independent and polite.
They are motivated and hard-working.
Austrians are cheerful.

FUN FACTS:

“The Sound of Music” is a lot more popular around the world than in Austria!
Austria only has about 8 million inhabitants – that’s roughly the same population as Virginia!
German is the official language in Austria but there are a lot of different dialects in Austria’s different regions.

USEFUL PHRASES:

How are you? Wie geht es dir?
Fine, thanks. Gut, danke.
My name is… Mein Name ist…
Nice to meet you. Freut mich dich kennenzulernen.
Thank you. Danke.

“Just do it! It will be the best time of your life!”– Gundula, au pair from Austria

“Go for it! It’s a great way to learn about a new culture, meet new people from all around the world, travel and improve your English skills. Participating in this program definitely influenced my life, my personality and my interests fundamentally.”– Stefanie, au pair from Austria

“Do it, do it, do it! It was the best decision in my life and it shaped the person I am today. The memories I gained and the people I met, no one will ever be able to take that from me. It adds so much experience to your life, it’s incredible!” – Donatella, au pair from Austria

“In the U.S. I did not work for an employer, I was part of a family that would be my family for the rest of my life.”

Naomi, au pair
South Africa

Argentina

July 29, 2019 by

AU PAIR CULTURE QUESTS

ARGENTINA

South America
Capital: Buenos Aires
Languages: Spanish
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity
(Roman Catholic)

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USEFUL LINKS

Flag of Argentina

Kids Culture Corner: Argentina
CIA World Factbook

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Argentina. 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.

Child Care Skills

Family

English Skills

Driving Skills

Education

Health

Child Care Skills

Argentineans usually gain their childcare experience by looking after their neighbors’ or friends’ children to earn pocket money. Others have experience with younger siblings.
Some applicants volunteer in a local kindergarten to get more experience with babies or small children.
Most applicants are studying to become an English teacher so they have already taught English to students on a individual or group basis.

Family

Young people in Argentina live with their parents until they finish their university career or they get married. It is too expensive to live alone.
Most families in Argentina have more than two children, and both parents work.
Applicants are used to helping out around the house, especially if both parents work.

English Skills

Most students study English at school, but parents also tend to send their children to private English institutes as they think English is very important.
Some candidates study English at university.
95% of applicants have the necessary English level (or higher) to apply to the program, so no formal English test is required.

Driving Skills

Obtaining a driving license in Argentina is a straightforward process.
Applicants take theoretical classes and driving lessons with an instructor. The exams are theoretical and practical. They also have to take a sight and hearing test, and answer certain medical questions in order to pass.
Most Argentineans learn to drive at a young age, especially if they live in the countryside.

Education

Compulsory education finishes at high school level.
Most Argentineans continue studying at university, and sometimes they have to move to another province to study the course of their choice.
The au pair program is well known in Argentina as it’s a unique opportunity for some families to send their child to live in the U.S. for a year and to improve their English knowledge for their career or future job.

Health

Public hospitals are free in Argentina, but most students are covered under their parents’ private health insurance until they are 18.
Adults usually take out their own private medical plan when they start working.
Young people have a family pediatrician until they are 16 years old, and then they register with a GP.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

Independent, mature, responsible, trustworthy.
Open to share their ideas or thoughts.
Open minded, flexible, ready to have a good experience abroad.

FUN FACTS:

Young people in Argentina love technology – they can’t understand how their grandparents survived without cell phones!
Argentine beef is famous around the world, so naturally Argentineans love barbeques!
The Argentine city of Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world!

USEFUL PHRASES:

How are you? Como estas?
Fine, thanks. Bien, gracias.
My name is… Mi nombre es…
Nice to meet you. Encantada de conocerte.
Thank you. Gracias.

“Do not hesitate! Just go for it! It was the best decision I ever made. It changed my life completely. I made so many friends from all over the world.”– Cecilia, au pair from Argentina

“It’s an incredible experience, and you will learn a lot about yourself.”– Mariana, au pair from Argentina

“I’d say that this was and will be one of the best and most intelligent decisions I’ve made in life. It was such a big challenge that made me grow a lot as a person.”– Emilse, au pair from Argentina

“In the U.S. I did not work for an employer, I was part of a family that would be my family for the rest of my life.”

Naomi, au pair
South Africa