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 Serbia. 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 was common in the 1970s and '80s and is gaining popularity again. After ten years of economical and political isolation, cultural exchange programs are becoming more prevalent and are being met with optimism and delight.
• Serbian young people are extremely motivated to experience living in a foreign family, getting to know new cultures, improving English language, and gaining educational opportunities.
• An au pair’s job potential is greatly improved upon her return to Serbia.
• Applicants have difficulty affording the program fees and plan for months to participate.
• Young women in Serbia have the freedom of their family to socialize and date. There is a strong patriarchal upbringing in Serbia; therefore, young women are fighting for economic independence and higher education.
• A midnight curfew is common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• The attitude toward nudity at home is conservative, but there are a lot of young people who visit nudist beaches for sunbathing.
• Serbians are friendly, generous, and traditional.

Child Care Practices

• Common discipline techniques include loss of privileges and sending children to their rooms.
• Physical discipline is common in Serbia among the poor, the older generation, and those who live in rural areas.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling and by caring for family members.
• Usually the mother is responsible for the childcare responsibilities during infancy and childhood. Both parents share the responsibility during the teenage years.
• It is common for both parents to work and be away from home during the day.

Driving Skills

• The minimum driving age is age 18, but obtaining a license is not a priority for Serbian women, so they may not obtain a license until their mid-20’s.
• Obtaining a driving license is difficult and expensive.
• It takes approximately six months obtain a license in Serbia.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Serbia include:
  • Medical tests, including sight and hearing, reflexes, psychiatric examination, and other disorders that might affect driving ability
  • Theoretical written test with traffic rules and scenarios
  • Practical test
  • Fees
• The International driving permit is available.
• Applicants must take formal driving lessons and practice using their parents’ car.
• Almost all cars have manual transmissions.
  

English Language Skills

• English is a compulsory subject in the schools in Serbia.
• English is taught twice a week. Classes focus on written skills due to the large number of students per class.

Education

• Approximately 20% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Others attend alternative vocational training or a course organized by the Regional Job Center.
• The academic year starts in September and finishes in July.
• The educational opportunities of the program are very important to Serbian applicants.

Health

• The most common inoculations are polio, tuberculosis, tetanus, malaria, and mumps.
• Most young women are inoculated and tested for TB (Tuberculosis).
• Serbia has a free health service.
• Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis.
• “Eating disorders” are rare.
  

Diet

• Most young people in Serbia eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is extremely rare.
• A typical Serbian diet includes soups, stews, smoked meats, stuffed vegetables, kebabs, and salads. Fruit and nuts are used in desserts, such as strudels and pastries.

Religion

• The most common religion in Serbia is Orthodox Christianity.
• Most young people in Serbia do not practice their religion regularly and would rarely choose to practice a religion that is different than the family’s religion.

Telephone & Internet

• Most homes have a telephone.
• Applicants have limited access to computers and the Internet.
• Family members may not be able to take a message in English from a potential Host Family.

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