question for current au pairs and former au pairs
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Anonymous
| Former HF here. Seems like all the APIA APs wanted CA placementswhen we hosted. Some wrote their entire essay about how they wanted to go to the beach and live the CA lifestyle. If they wanted it so badly that it featured in the essay, we passed on them because we figured they wouldn't be happy in our area. I'm afraid the ones who got placed in Bakersfield or Fresno may have been surprised that CA isn't all beaches. At the end of their time with us, virtually all of our APs commented on how well they liked the DC area for their AP year. Also, for the first few years, our kids were not school age and it was very difficult to stay under 45 hours. However, our APs enjoyed having all evenings and virtually all weekends free, as well as a dedicated car. I think these were viewed as compensatory for the relatively long hours. (Not until our 7th AP were there free mornings to get coffee, shop, etc.) |
Anonymous
| By good location I ment big city not CA. Claiming that Au pair doesn't need a car while being on suburbs sounds like a nonsens in USA and phrase to sell the program. |
Anonymous
|
HF in the DC area with close bus routes and further metro stop, which are both accessible. AP still wants car. Oh and preferably for us to pay for her gas usage. Does she need it? No. But she doesn't want to walk a quarter of a mile when it's past dark in a nice neighborhood.
So, yes, it doesn't matter how urban your location is and that you might be right next to transportation/restaurants/etc. AP still looks for perks like a "free" car. |
Anonymous
| Would You like to walk at 11 pm or 2 am in wintertime near multiple lane street while someone beeping on you? |
Anonymous
| Uber? |
Anonymous
| First au pair has to have cellphone to order it. I've never seen HP walking to the main street which was about 500m. Riding in a bus is interesting cultural experience. Au pair can see handicapped people, drunks, poor, illegals, retired, fights and sometimes quite nice people too. It's fun to use a car in USA and you can go to places where public transportation won't take you. If the location is unfortunate or Au pair is without a car it is possible to spend 80$ for uber one way. |
Anonymous
I have never met an AP without a cell phone. It's 2017. APs have cell phones. Next, the previous poster stated that they live close to bus and subway. If AP wants to go as far as a $80 uber ride, that is her choice. Perhaps she can be smart and share the ride with 3 friends...now it is $20. Yes, with your $200 per week stipend, you can spend some of it on an Uber ride if that is what you choose to do. |
Anonymous
Like you I thought the same but HP doesn't have to guarantee that. |
Anonymous
No, they do not have to guarantee, but they do provide this in 2017. And even if AP has to contribute to an all-inclusive data plan, they can decline it or cover with their stipend. The stipend is also good for things like Uber rides during non-working hours. Young adults have to juggle things like a new pair of Nikes and a walk in the rain. Welcome to life. |
Anonymous
| There is no point of being an Au Pair without nice hosts, likeable food, transportation, cellphone, friends. If HP don't want or can't provide this they are creating picture of very stingy citizens. Au pair shouldn't go there to struggle. |
Anonymous
As a HM, I do not think it my responsibility to find friends for AP. And I think "friends" are the most important item on that list. AP needs to be proactive about finding and making friends. As someone who has lived overseas twice, APs need to expect some "struggle". Its hard to move, integrate, navigate new systems. You are going to have some struggles. To think you are going to show up on HF doorstep and have a red carpet rolled out before you with everything you want/need/desire perfectly in place is just simply not going to happen. I think this is the problem for many young adults these days...a "struggle" is not expected and immediately the fault of anyone immediately in the path of the struggle. |
Anonymous
| Yes HP are not responsible for finding 'friends' for the Au pair but if you want to participate in Au pair program you supposed to provide the rest so the Au pair could meet more people. Consider not participating in the program if you don't have will and resources because it's waste of time, money and energy of Au pairs. |
Anonymous
Ah, the naivete of youth in thinking that struggles are for other people but not me! Welcome to adulthood. For AP who do not recognize that struggle on many different levels are part of growing up will be ill-prepared by the reality of life in general, and the AP life specifically. This aspect is one area that I screen for - I try as much as I can to weed out AP with unrealistic expectations and think that the AP year is an extension of life at home with doting substitute parents in a foreign country. We are looking for an adult, not another child. |
Anonymous
| Au pairs are not looking for substitute of parents. I can take your good features of you will show it. Au pairs are looking for good working conditions if you demand worker. |
Anonymous
Your statements certainly make me think that you are looking for substitute parents...me, me, me...what resources are the HF going to provide me. As PP mentioned, I screen out APs who present with unrealistic expectations. |