South Korean Au Pairs
South Korea is an Asian country that is slightly larger than Indiana. The national language is Korean but English is compulsory and children begin learning English in Elementary school. All of our available Au Pairs from South Korea have received a score of at least 4 out of 5 on the English ranking scale based on their interviews.
Education has become a large focus in South Korea with the government constantly investing in their education systems. Because of this, all of our available Au Pairs from South Korea either already have a college degree or are currently enrolled in a university.
South Koreans drive on the right side of the road and are not able to obtain a driver's license until they are 18 years old. All of our available South Korean Au Pairs drive and are willing to drive while in the U.S.
What do Host Parents say about their Au Pairs from South Korea?
Barbara has hosted an Au Pair through Go Au Pair for many years and recently said goodbye to Dayoung, her South Korean Au Pair. "Dayoung as a South Korean Au Pair was great. Some of this was her outgoing, helpful personality."
How well did your Au Pair assimilate into your home?
"Dayoung assimilated very quickly and easily into our home. Her English was good to begin with and quickly got better. She did not have a lot of driving experience. Most Korean young women work and she was used to working and helping."
What cultural differences did you encounter?
"Koreans have a hierarchical society and elders are respected. She needed guidance over how to interact with adults so that she did not feel disrespectful. My daughter's friend's parents, even to the end, were Mrs. Janice, Mrs. Gerri, Mr. Rick, etc. Culturally she could not call any of them by their first name. That also meant that she thought the children were ruder - especially in the beginning. Culturally she wanted to be a "good daughter" to her mother and that extended to wanting to be a "good host daughter" as well. She felt Americans pay far more attention to safety especially with children.
Culturally, she considered not telling some issues as "hiding" and not lying as we do in America. Hiding so not to upset someone is the norm in Korea. By the end of the year she felt she "would never lie again" because in at least America one lie begets another lie and people get angry.
She always was amazed at how much bigger everything is in America - the food (even fruits and vegetables), the trees, the people, etc. The weather is more extreme here; she was used to very mild four seasons."
Would you ever choose another Au Pair from South Korea?
"Absolutely."