Au Pair in America

Culture Quests

Au Pairs in General | Child Care Practices | Driving Skills | English Language Skills
Education | Health | Diet | Religion | Telephone and Internet

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Macedonia. Although au pairs from this country may or may not have had these experiences/beliefs, Au Pair in America wishes to share this general information with our families.

Au Pairs in General

• The idea of being an au pair is popular among Macedonian youth.
• Applicants from Macedonia are motivated by a desire to improve English skills.
• The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Macedonia.
• Applicants do not have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young people in Macedonia generally have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are not common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
  · Nudity is legal, but not socially acceptable.
• Macedonians describe themselves as being friendly, hardworking, and flexible.
  

Child Care Practices

• Physical discipline is not common in Macedonia.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling and babysitting.
• Usually both parents share the childrearing responsibilities.
• It is common for both parents to work and be away from home during the day.

Driving Skills

• Most young people over age 18 in Macedonia hold a driving license.
• A driving license is not difficult or expensive to obtain.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Macedonia include:
  • Theoretical test
  • Driving lessons
  • Practical test
  • Fees
• The International driving permit is available.
• Applicants typically take formal driving lessons and practice driving using their parents’ car; once they have started working, they will save money with the intention of buying a car.
• Most cars have manual transmissions.

English Language Skills

• English is a compulsory subject beginning at age 5, and most continue to study through the university level.
• Classes focus on both oral and written skills.

Education

• Approximately 75% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university attend courses to specialize in a specific skill, find a job locally, or go abroad.
• The academic year in Macedonia starts in October and ends in May.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are the most important part of the program to applicants.

Health

• The most common inoculations are DPT series (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), polio, small pox, tuberculin, and hepatitis.
• Most young women are not inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• Macedonia has a public health care system. Co-payments from users are expected.
• Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis.
• “Eating disorders” are not common.

Diet

• Most young people in Macedonia eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is not common.
• A typical Macedonian diet includes meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.

Religion

• The most common religions in Macedonia are Macedonian Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic.
• Most young people in Macedonia do not practice their religion regularly.

Telephone & Internet

• Most homes have a telephone and a computer with access to the Internet.
• Siblings may be able to take a message in English from a potential host family, but parents may not have sufficient English skills.

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