French Au Pairs
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The Au Pair program originated in France and is still very
common there today. In fact, several of our French Au Pairs
currently in the U.S. had previous experience as Au
Pairs in other countries before they arrived. Babysitting is
a very common way our French Au Pairs gain experience caring
for children. In addition, there are Au Pairs from France who
have worked as nannies, teachers and tutors as well.
The French drive on the right side of the road and receive
their driver’s licenses at age 18. Driving is very common in
France and the traffic laws are similar to those in the U.S.
All of our French Au Pairs in the U.S. had their driver’s
license before arriving.
English is taught to all children in France for 7 years.
Perfecting their English skills is one of the reasons French
Au Pairs choose to come to the U.S. instead of other
countries. It is also common for French Au Pairs to have
studied a third language, which is most often Spanish.
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All information as of October, 2009 |
What
do Host Parents say about their Au Pairs from France?
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Carri has been a goAUPAIR Host Mom since 2007 and
recently said goodbye to their French Au Pair, Laure. Carri
said that her family "had an excellent year with Laure."
How well did your Au Pair assimilate into your home?
"Laure assimilated well into our household. I think our
culture’s are similar – that being the independence of the
French and the independence that Au Pairs can experience in
American households. Other girls would go to their rooms or
out with friends when they work time was over but sometimes
Laure brings her laptop into our family room and hangs there
with us throughout the night. It’s a great way to get to
know them better – when they just spend time hanging around
in your presence."
What cultural differences did you encounter?
"We didn’t have any real cultural differences. This may be
stereotyping, but I think a lot of French people smoke. At
day's end (when thru with work), sometimes Laure would go out
to smoke (like at a park or away somewhere where she would
take the car – not right outside the house). I never smelled
it on her and she is great about not smoking in our house or
around the kids so it doesn’t bother me. Had she said she
was a smoker early on, I may have been worried, but as long
as they are sensible it and it isn’t a big “need” for them
then ok."
Would you ever choose another Au Pair from France?
"I would definitely want all of my Au Pairs to be
French but this time around, one of the stronger candidates
was from Sweden so we went with her. Laure has been teaching
our toddler French and because Julia [Carri's daughter] is just learning to
speak and totally understands both languages, I am enrolling
her in French school throughout the school year. I would
have loved to have another French Au Pair especially because
I want Julia to know French, but we thought Amanda [an Au
Pair] from
Sweden was an excellent match for our family."
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Hundreds of
Au Pairs available! |
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Looking for an Au Pair from France? Search for French
and other Au Pairs available now for free
in goAUPAIR's exclusive
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