Want to learn more about the Au Pair in Spain? Read on for facts and info on this cultural program and find out about the benefits and obligations of Au Pairs in Spain…
The Au Pair program in Spain is a unique cultural exchange program under which Au Pairs are welcomed into a Spanish host family. This cultural program stretches over a period of 12 months and 1, 2 or 3 people can become part of a host family.
The program begins in summer and the minimum stay is for a period of one month. Au Pairs get a chance to immerse themselves in Spanish life. However they are also obliged to take care of children and teach the locals their language. In order to be accepted in this program however you must be resident national of the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland or the EU.
Program Benefits
The Spanish host family is carefully screened for each Au Pair in order to make sure they will be treated just like family. Every pair is given full contact information of the other Au Pairs currently participating in this cultural program. One of the biggest benefits for Au Pairs is that they are provided an opportunity to study at any local educational institution. Not only do they have the chance to opt for any curriculum of their choice but they are also given preference regarding the ages of children and any other special requests that they may have.
Au Pairs are also provided with pocket money. For a period of five hours a day and five days a week the Au Pair is provided with €70 a week. Those Au Pairs willing to put in eight hours a day are given €100 a week. During their stay an Au Pair is provided with a private home furnished with all basic amenities.
What the Au Pair Has To Do in Return
In return for these privileges the Au Pair is obliged to fulfill a 25 hour period of high quality child care or childcare activities on a weekly basis. This means a total of 40 hours a week. The general expectation from Au Pairs is to teach the locals and their children the language and this is the primary reason why Spanish families are willing to host an Au Pair.
This commitment can range anywhere from one month to one whole year. However the duration of this stay is divided into stages with the maximum duration being three months during the summer time. Hence the one-year contract is fulfilled in stages over a number of years.
One of the factors that differentiates this program from similar ones is that the Spanish family will be accepting the Au Pair as a member of the family. This means they will not be treated as an employee as that would defeat the purpose of this cultural program. Among the amenities offered to the Au Pair are a private room, full board and pocket money. Furthermore the Au Pair is allowed to participate in different cultural activities that are taking place during the length of their stay.
