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 Spain. 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 widely known in Spain.
• The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Spain.
• Applicants do not have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young people in Spain have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are not common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• It is very common to find women topless at the beach.
• Spaniards are known to be mature, friendly, open, and adventurous.

Child Care Practices

• Common discipline techniques include talking to the children.
• Physical discipline is not common, though some think a swat to the bottom is effective.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, caring for siblings, and babysitting.
• Both parents share the childcare responsibilities.
• 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.
• A driving license is not difficult to obtain, but it is expensive.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Spain include:
  • Written test
  • Driving lessons – 35-40 hours
  • Practical test
  • Fees
  • Designating cars that are driven by new drivers (less than one year of experience)
• 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 compulsory in Spain.
• Classes focus on both oral and written skills beginning at age 8.

Education

• Approximately 80% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university further their studies in a technical field or find employment.
• The academic year in Spain starts in October and ends in June.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are particularly important to Spanish applicants.

Health

• The most common inoculations are polio, tetanus, and measles.
• Most young women are tested and inoculated for TB (tuberculosis).
• Spain has a free health service.
• Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis.
• “Eating disorders” exist in Spain and seem to be increasing in frequency.

Diet

• Most young people in Spain eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is not common.
• A typical Spanish diet includes fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, olive oil, and bread.

Religion

• The most common religions in Spain is Roman Catholic.
• It is common in Spain to attend Mass on Sunday.

Telephone & Internet

• Most homes have a telephone and a computer with access to the Internet.
• Family members may not be able to take a message in English from a potential host family.

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