The program 'Au Pair' it's a DIFFERENT category of the 'Exchange Student' program we all hear about. You travel abroad, learn their language and culture while WORKING.
On the contrary of what the exchange program agencies tell us (the au pairs and nannies), this program is ENTIRELY focused on WORK, NOT JUST HELP them out with the children (the families don't know the agency promise us an EDUCATIONAL program and delivers a WORK program instead). You are only 'allowed' to go to school IF your classes don't interrupt your work hours and if they do (I am sorry to say), YOU WILL NOT GO TO SCHOOL.
This program is about taking total care of the children while the parents are at work, it's very common in Europe and is regulated by the US Government.
The family you will live with will become your 'Host Family' for the period you stay as their Au Pair. In 90% of the cases, you will NOT be considered a PART OF THEIR FAMILY but the BABYSITTER (If you are in the lucky 10% like I was, you will match with a great family and be actually a family friend).
If you want to come to 'meet Americans', forget about it! All classes the J1 visa allows you to take are only for foreign people like yourself and not even the teachers are Americans.
Not sure where you're from, but back in time when I was an au pair, at least (AT LEAST) the teacher was American. Therefore, for sure it's possible to find an instructor that was born and raised in the USA.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was an Au Pair (2007-2009) I lived in North New Jersey and not even ONE of the other Au Pairs in our cluster had an American (born and raised) teacher. They were all green card holders.
ReplyDeleteI went to Essex County College (West Essex Campus) in 2008 and my teacher was Jammal and he was from Morocco. He had a very funny accent. I guess the Anonymous on the 1st comment was lucky.
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