IN THE USA
WORKING
2020/21
AU PAIR IN THE USA
WHY AU PAIR?
AU PAIR USA
Being an au pair overseas is a great opportunity for people who love working with children to do what they love and travel the world. Participating in one of our STA Travel Working Holidays au pair programmes means that you become part of our global au pair family. You get to travel and experience life in another country while working and earning good money! Being an au pair is one of the most popular overseas jobs and will help you create lifelong friendships and priceless memories.
This is a programme of a lifetime. By living with a host family and caring for their children, you’ll get a true and authentic American experience. Taking part in their day-to-day routine, you’ll become part of the family, sharing your culture and customs whilst embracing theirs. Plus, with an included USD $500 a year study allowance, it’s a great opportunity to study abroad, learn a new skill and meet new people along the way. Ready to start your adventure?
REQUIREMENTS
• Age 18 – 26 years.
How to Apply
• Hold a valid South African passport. • Completed Matric. • Fluent in English. • Have minimum 200 hours childcare experience. • Hold a valid driving licence. • Have no criminal record. • Be able to commit to at least 12 months.
ADDITIONAL QUALITIES THAT WILL HELP WITH PLACEMENT
• Experience with infants. • Open-minded towards different religions, race and gender of the host families. • Open to caring for multiple children. • Additional skills (e.g. music, sports, academic, etc). • Additional child development courses (e.g. first aid, special needs, nursing, etc). • Having previously lived overseas, or on your own. YOU ARE NOT ALONE
There is no need to be afraid or worry about this new adventure that you are about to embark on. You will have a Community Administrator that will be there every step of the way. A Community Administrator is there to support, inform and advise you and your family throughout your stay. They will guide you through any challenges and co-ordinate and set up social outings with all au pairs in the area so you can all get to know each other and make friends for life.
HOST FAMILIES
We know how important it is for you to find the right family; one that you feel comfortable with and that matches your needs. Keep in mind, all host families are different, but most are busy, professional parents that need someone to help with caring for their little ones, to engage with them and to keep them happy and safe. They are looking for a young, vibrant person who loves looking after children, who is reliable, mature, honest, enthusiastic and open-minded. Your host family will provide you with your own room, meals and access to transport (although this is not always guaranteed). You’ll get a USD $500 study allowance and a minimum of USD $195 weekly pocket money. In return, you’ll look after their children, providing entertaining, educational and responsible care. WHERE YOU WILL BE LIVING
Families are located throughout the USA’s 50 states, so you could find yourself spending a year in the Big Apple, beautiful Washington DC, sleepy Seattle or cowboy crazy Texas.
A TYPICAL DAY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
• Waking the children and getting them ready for the day (washing them getting them dressed). • Preparing the children’s meals, cleaning and washing up after them (dishes, clothes, etc). • Driving them to and from school and any activities they do after school or on weekends. • Helping with homework or extramural activities. • Babysitting in the evenings or over weekends if the parents go out. STUDYING WHILE YOU’RE IN THE USA
To complete your 12-month programme you are required to take approved classes at an accredited post-secondary institute. This is a great opportunity to meet people and make new friends. Your host family will be contributing USD $500 towards these studies, so be sure to include them in your selection process to make sure that it is an accredited institute. You can pick anything from glass blowing to psychology, as long as it’s an accredited institute. WHEN TO GO
With flights departing all year round, you can travel to the USA whenever it suits you. Although, it’s best to apply four months before you would like to travel. The process times will be dependent on your application so whenever you are ready, get started.
APPLICATION FEE
• The application fee needs to be paid to STA Travel Working Holidays upon confirmation of application. This application fee includes: • The interview processes. • Information sessions. • Processing of the application. • Assistance with booking your J1 Visa appointment. • Pre-departure orientation/online training. PROGRAMMES/PLACEMENT FEE
• Your placement fee needs to be paid to STA Travel Working Holidays once your application has been approved by the USA offices. This placement fee includes: • Basic insurance cover for the year. • International flights to the USA from South Africa. WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY
• South African passport. • Police clearance certificate. • International driving licence or IDP (can be bought at an AA store). • Medical exam and TB chest X-ray. • US J1 Visa. • Pocket money.
MEET THE TEAM
ISELIZE SWART
KAREN PRETORIUS
Former Au Pair in Philadelphia
Former Au Pair in New Hampshire
BEING AN AU PAIR
• B e prepared // Consult with an Au Pair expert before heading over! • L ive your best life when you are there! Work hard, play hard! • M ake the most of your time there and study a course (you get a 500$ study allowance)! • T ravel as much as you can while you’re there! • B e open-minded and embrace this new and exciting time in your life!
YESHANIA NAIR
Former Au Pair in Boston
WHY CHOOSE STA TRAVEL AU PAIR IN THE USA? WE KNOW BECAUSE WE GO
The members in our Au Pair Team and all of our Au Pair Experts have done the Au Pair program or another program that STA Travel offers. CULTURAL HOMESTAY INTERNATIONAL AND FAMILY SCREENING
The selection process for Au Pairs is the same for the host families. They are carefully screened and chosen. VISA ASSISTANCE
Our local team will assist with your visa application, scheduling your appointment and provide you with all the documents required for your face-to-face interview at the American embassy. 24/7 SUPPORT
You will have support in the USA from your community administrator as well as in your home country. FLIGHT AND RAVEL INSURANCE IS INCLUDED
Your flights are included in the package as well as your basic travel insurance.
WANT TO BE AN AU PAIR IN THE USA?
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Come in to any store nationwide to chat to an instore specialist about your 2020 working holiday programme
S e e the world from b oth s id e s. #S tart T h e Ad ve nt ure
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AND HELPING YOU #STARTTHEADVENTURE
0861 785Â 785 082 681 1254 WorkingHolidays.ZA@statravel.com