English (UK) 
Deutsch (Deutschland) FAQ for AuPairs
The safest and quickest way to know that you are dealing with a reputable host family is to arrange a video chat.
As you talk to the family, ask them about any things that seem doubtful to you.
If you are still not sure, ask the host father or mother to show you their identity card or driver's license. No scammer would give you such information about himself.
If the host family understands your doubts and is willing to cooperate, it speaks to their trustworthiness.
Your language skills do not have to be perfect. However, you should have basic knowledge of simple communication.
In Germany, for example, an A1 certificate according to the standard of the Goethe Institute is required to apply for a visa.
You are welcome to indicate your wishes on the registration form and we will try to comply with them. However, a specific city should not be a main criterion of your AuPair stay, as this can result in a longer duration of your placement.
If we find a family that suits you but lives in a different city or area, we will still let you know.
Don't worry. Your host family knows that you only have basic knowledge of the German language. An A1 certificate, which you need to apply for your visa, is sufficient to communicate with the host family.
If you don't feel confident, you can read through your German scripts again or contact our local agency.
We recommend 2-3 photos of yourself, which can be used as a profile photo on our website, as well as several photos showing you with children that you have already looked after.
Photos with friends or your own family are also quite suitable. Group photos or other puzzle games (guess who the AuPair is...) are unsuitable, party photos or the stiff pinstripe suit are also rather unsuitable.
Also, please do not use photos that have an image manipulator applied to them. (Facial beautification or similar) Such filters are used in social networks, but have no place in applications.
The embassies carry out the processing of visa procedures in their capacity. This means they check the information provided by the applicant for accuracy.
When an AuPair applies for a visa, this verification procedure is somewhat different than when applying for family reunification, for example. Most of the information provided by the AuPair applicant will be checked during the interview, which will be conducted in the language of the host country.
Through targeted questioning, an attempt is made to find out the truthfulness of the information in the visa application.
The methods used there in some cases would result in disciplinary proceedings for an official in this country in a very short time.
For example, it is very easy to randomly request documents that are not on the list of required documents. If the applicant cannot present these, he will be sent home again with a new appointment. With the sentence. "This list does not claim to be complete." you evade responsibility.
In order to counteract these methods, you should ideally take all the documents that you have or that relate to you with you.
If one of our local agents looks after you, they will prepare you for your visit to the embassy.
Definitely no unnecessary ballast!
First and foremost, find out about the climate and the current weather in your host country and pack warm clothes. Some people from warm countries underestimate the winter temperatures in Europe.
Imagine you get on the plane at a sunny 30 degrees and leave it 6 hours later at 3 degrees and rain...
So the first cold is already programmed.
You don't need 10 towels and 5 tubes of toothpaste either...
You will get most of these things from your host family. Everything else is available here in every supermarket or drugstore.
Apart from the course of your illness, not much will happen.
Your host family will take out health and accident insurance for you, covering you in the event of illness.
For further advice, we advise you or your host family to contact us.
Problems with my host family
The amount of pocket money is regulated in the AuPair contract.
If the host family does not comply, ask them why. Sometimes there are misunderstandings that can be clarified by a joint conversation.
If nothing changes in the situation, you are welcome to let us know.
Have a little patience.
In completely new situations, children are quite quick with spontaneous absolute evaluations.
Statements like "I don't like this one!" are not rare there.
The situation is new for the children as well as for the host parents and yourself and it can be difficult for them to accept a new person when they have only spent time with their parents.
Before your arrival, make phone calls and video chats with the future host family and also talk to the children so that they can get a first impression of you.
Try to integrate with your host family as soon as you arrive and get involved in all family activities that are offered to you. In this way, the children quickly learn to perceive you as a big brother or sister.
The process of getting used to you takes a little time. Be patient and be open with the children about their opinions. This will arouse their interest and gain their trust more quickly.
Find out in advance about the culture of the host country and talk to your future host family about the culture of your home country.
The background of the au pair program is a mutual cultural exchange, which is about learning valuable things about a new culture for both sides.
First, don't be afraid to speak up!
Even if you make a few mistakes at first, your host family will understand what you want to say.
Try to participate in family conversations. Ask questions and show interest in the culture of the host country and the interests and hobbies of the host family.
If you don't understand something yourself, ask again and ask for the sentence to be repeated.
Stick to the children of the family. With children you learn a foreign language much faster and easier. And at the latest when you attend a language course, your pronunciation and grammar will improve quickly.
