Au Pair Diary: Choosing the best agency

Choosing your agency : Going with an agency is the safest and cheapest way to become an Au Pair, you can go through a website like Au Pair World and find a family through a matching profiles and emailing - this is very risky, the family has not been background checked or vetted. Below are a number of Au Pair agencys in the USA and which ones I will be applying with.

Au Pair In America {http://www.aupairinamerica.com} 2013 Programme Fee £399

APIA has the best reputation online, it has a thriving Facebook community (something I look for) my local APIA rep has called at least 3 times in the past year calling on my progress and they do hold information evenings in my local town. The only thing which stopped me from applying with APIA is that they require you to have a driving license to submit your application, however I am determined to pass my driving test before August and apply with APIA. They provide a lot of information and leaflets to potential Au Pairs and their application is very straight forward and simple.I also like the option of the Extraordinaire programme since I do qualify, meaning an extra $55 per week in pay for me.

AuPairCare {www.aupaircare.com} 2013 Programme Fee £399 - £299 for Infant care

APC also has a good reputation and good Facebook community,they also do not require you to have a driving license, but also warn that matching to a family without a license will take much longer. The communication between Au Pairs and staff can be a little complicated and lengthy as well however the application its self is simple and quite fast one you have everything completed you need.

Cultural Care {www.culturalcareaupair.com} 2013 Programme Fee £509

CC over all, does not have the best reputation online by reviews and things I researched online, also you are unable to apply and register right away - I found myself waiting 5 days until I could join a 'meeting' to find out more about CC. Quite frustrating when you want to match right away. Never the less, I found myself applying for this one as well - will keep you posted on how easy the application process is.

Au Pair Diary

So, I have been thinking and trying to be an Au Pair in the states for almost a year now, a few things have been stopping me - fear, doubts, money, lack of driving license, even my parents. However I can't shake this feeling that this is something I have to do. I want to travel the states, to care for a child like my own sibling, to find myself and force myself to face my social anxiety head on and to meet some real friends. I think being an Au Pair in the US will help me to do this. I hope you follow my journey to finding an agency, finding a family and flying to America to stay with my host family for a year (or even longer if it works out!) I will be posting Au Pair tips such as packing videos, preparing for interviews/skype calls, essential / first aid pack posts, child care ideas and of course fashion / haul posts. Stay tuned!