Did you grow up watching and loving "Mary Poppins"? Now is your chance to live the Disney magic and let your umbrellas lift you away to another country to care for adorable child(ren). This is one of the most rewarding experiences in all forms--traveling and experiencing a beautiful new location, being immersed and living with a carefully screened and selected family, earning a basic living even while your expenses abroad are included (ie: housing, meals, etc), practicing and learning new culture (ie: language, crafts, arts, etc), and receiving support before, during, and after your time abroad, which will undoubtedly provide experience, exposure, and references for your personal, academic, and professional endeavors. 

We work closely with our in-country partners to match you with a family that will be mutually beneficial for all parties involved. Enroll in Cultural Embrace’s Childcare in Europe program to be a part of this wonderful experience in France, Italy, or Spain. 

You will be assigned a Coordinator from our Austin, TX office before you go abroad, and then you will also have an in-country representative that may assist with any questions while you are in country. However, our host families are warm and welcoming, and do everything they can to make you feel like a family member. 

Foreign language skills are helpful, but not required by all families, and childcare experience is highly preferred. Female candidates are preferred, yet we have made successful placements for male candidates with families that prefer their son to have a male role model. Visa regulations vary per country and nationality of the Au Pair, so we recommend that you contact your embassy/consulate to know the visa requirements. Our Coordinators will assist you with with obtaining the proper visa, but please note that we have no control of visas. Some placements may require language lessons for 90+ days of being abroad, in which we will assist you with enrolling you for additional classes. Some families often contribute a portion of your stipend toward your language school tuition. Plus, the language school provides you with more opportunities to meet and network with other foreign students in the area. Our in-country representatives partners also offer monthly au pair meetings to give you a chance to meet and greet other au pairs in your area.

As an Au Pair, you will be responsible for the daily care of your host family’s childr(en), including assisting the children dressing, eating, cleaning up and transportation to and from school and extra-curricular activities.  Placements are available from 2 months to 1 year, depending on destination, nationality, and family availability.  Most placements require a 6 month minimum- short term placements (2-3) months are considered on a case by case basis.  Contact our Program Coordinator to discuss visa options and availability!

Past participants have indicated that their experience with their host family and children were like "my own family." Most have stayed friends with their families and have returned to visit through the years. View blogs of current and past participants working abroad as Au Pair. What a wonderful way to embrace the local culture, practice a foreign language, provide a service, and be a part of a loving community.

Click here for a PDF version of our Program Details for Childcare in Europe.

Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences!

Childcare in Europe Offers:

• An economical way to travel and live abroad
• A reference from your employer upon completion of your term
• An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
• The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
• A chance to learn or build French, Italian, or Spanish language skills
• An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: sports, music, cooking)
• Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about
• A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences
• A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills

Cultural Embrace Includes:

• Guaranteed Family Placement Prior to Departure

Cultural Embrace guarantees a pre-arranged paid position in the with a pre-screened host family. You will work with a C.E. Coordinator that will provide individualized support to help you find a potential family, and prepare you for an adventure to live and work abroad. Additionally, you will have a phone or Skype interview with the family before accepting the placement to ensure they are a good match.

• Compensation

Weekly stipend and room and board included. Stipend varies from country to country. The average net income is approximately US$400/month. You will have one or two days per week off (not always consecutive) and often times you will have much of the day to yourself if the children are in school.

• Room and Board

Your placement includes a private room, and typically a shared bathroom with your sponsored family. All meals are included with your local family.

• Visa Assistance

Cultural Embrace will assist you with attaining a visa. Please contact your local foreign Embassy or Consulate to check details, or ask your CE coordinator. Please note that any visa fees are the responsibility of the applicant. And, while we can assist you during the process, ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure that you have obtained the appropriate visa for your work experience. Cultural Embrace has no control over the visa process and cannot guarantee that your visa application will be accepted.

• Arrival Pick-up and Transfer

Cultural Embrace will see to it that you are met at the closest airport, train or bus station by your host family and taken to your new home.

• International Traveler’s Insurance with Basic Major Medical Coverage

Our policy provides basic medical coverage. Additional policies and premium plans are avail-able at extra cost.

• Language Lessons and Networking Opportunities

Cultural Embrace will set up language lessons (if requested or required) that match your skill level. Our local partners have frequent meetings for Au Pairs in each area to maximize your net-working opportunities.

• Cultural Embrace “Culture Kit”

Before your departure, we will send you a cultural kit that is filled with useful tips, advice, information, and your insurance card to prepare you for your amazing adventure of living and working abroad.

• Full-time Representation

Cultural Embrace provides English-speaking representation in the United States and France, Spain, and Italy prior to, during, and after your placement.

 

Want a quick glance view of ALL our programs and destinations, including Childcare in Europe requirements? Click here.

• Age Requirements: varies according to destination, but generally 18-30 years of age
• Childcare experience; references from previous childcare work required
• Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
• High school diploma and high level of responsibility
• Dedication to the full term of commitment 
• Some knowledge of host country's language preferred
• Visa Requirements:
  For US passport-holding citizens:
  Visa options vary per country.  Many countries have au pair visas or residence permits for au pair participants. Cultural Embrace will help you prepare your documents for the visa, but cannot guarantee visa approval.
  U.S. citizens may need to take language lessons for 3+ months in Western Europe to obtain the proper visa for over 90 days. This visa option requires the participant to meet the student visa requirements of the destination country, which are generally 20 hours of language lessons per week.  You must enroll in language classes in your host country to qualify for the student visa. These classes cost roughly 170 Euro a month for 10 hour of study a week. Classes have to be taken for the entire duration of your stay to qualify for a student visa. 
  
  For non-U.S. passport holding citizens: (up to 6 months)
  If you are an EU citizen, a student visa is not necessary. All other nationalities: if you are able to secure a student visa or appropriate residence permit on your own, we will be able to find you a placement.
   

Not sure if this program fit your needs, or if you meet the requirements? Consider TEACHING ABROAD, or VOLUNTEER ABROAD.

Destination	Fee (in US$)
Spain	$990
France	$1050
Italy	$1190

 
Click here for quick tips on how to make a smooth and successful placement.

1. Obtain the Work Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:

(a) Download the forms:  Application Form (PDF).  Childcare in Europe Program Details & FAQs (PDF) . 

(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be e-mailed to you within 2-3 days.

(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or Skype: Cultural Embrace to have the forms mailed to you in 3-4 days. 

2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.

3. Submit your completed application packet to: 

CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA

Completed packet should include:

• Work Program Application
• Signed Work  Agreement
• Copy of your passport (information page only)
• University/College transcript (official please)
• Copies of diploma or certificates related to field of interest (if applicable)
• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter explaining why you want to work as a childcare provider in your host country, and why you think you are capable of handling this type of work
• Two Childcare Recommendation letters
• Two Character References
• Doctor’s Certificate verifying that you are in excellent mental and physical health
• Copy of Police Clearance (obtainable from your community's local police station) 
• Four 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
• One smiling full-length photo of yourself
• US$250 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee)

Program Dates & Duration

Childcare opportunities are available all year round. A minimum stay of 3 months is required, with the maximum stay being 12 months.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089 or Skype: Cultural.Embrace.

Read blogs from current and past participants to get a better idea of life abroad as an International Au Pair.

Upon receipt of your application, a Cultural Embrace coordinator will contact you for a 20-30 minute phone interview. Once we accept you in to our program, you will receive an invoice for the remainder of your program fee. In order for us to contact our local partners to start your placement process, we require at least 50% of your program.

We recommend submitting your application and program fee at least 12-16 weeks prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your internship.

*Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 12 weeks or fewer before the desired date of departure. Applications received 8-12 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received fewer than 8 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250.

 

To follow current and past participants abroad, join our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and CE Blog community. For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.comor you can call us at 1-512-469-9089 or Skype: Cultural.Embrace.