Au Pair in America

Culture Quests

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

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in the United Kingdom. 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 the United Kingdom.
• Applicants from the United Kingdom are motivated by travel opportunities.
• Applicants do not have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young people in the United Kingdom have the freedom of their family to socialize and date. Pubs are a social meeting place similar to coffee houses in America. The legal drinking age is 18.
• Curfews are not common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Nudity is only accepted in designated areas.
• Applicants describe themselves as reserved, polite, and fun.

Child Care Practices

• Common discipline techniques include loss of privileges, or time-out.
• Physical discipline is not common in the United Kingdom but remains at the discretion of the parents.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling, care of siblings, babysitting, leading youth groups, and volunteering.
• Usually the mother assumes the majority of the childcare responsibilities.
• It is common for both parents to work and be away from home during the day.

Driving Skills

• Drivers in the UK drive on the left side of the road, so will need practice in the US.
• The minimum driving age is age 17. Most applicants obtain their driving license at age 17.
• A driving license is not difficult to obtain, but is expensive for some applicants.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in The United Kingdom: Fees, Written test, Practical test.
• 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.

Education

• Approximately 30% of young women continue their studies at University.
• Those not attending University pursue a vocation or enter the workforce.
• The academic year in the United Kingdom starts in September and ends in June.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are of minimal importance to applicants.
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Health

• The most common inoculations are Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella.
• Most young women are inoculated and tested for TB (Tuberculosis).
• The United Kingdom has a free health service.
• Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis.
• “Eating disorders” are not common, but do occur.

Diet

• Vegetarianism is very popular among young girls.
  

Religion

• The most common religions in the United Kingdom are Protestant, Catholic, Judaism and Muslim.
• Most young people in the United Kingdom do not practice their religion regularly.

Telephone & Internet

• Most homes have a telephone and a computer with access to the Internet.
  

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