Au pairing means to "live on equal terms", which is interesting considering that the young women and men who au pair are given menial tasks, such as laundry, cooking and vacuuming in addition to looking after the children. The flip side of the coin, however, is that they are treated as members of the family. They are given their own rooms, go on outings with the family and join in celebrations, events and holidays. They also often have the enviable opportunity of being immersed in a foreign culture and are able to learn all the intricacies of another way of life.

Each country has its own set of requirements that prospective candidates must meet, but there are a few that can be generalised and applied globally. Applicants can be male or female, although some countries specify that they want females only. They must be at least 18 years old and the maximum age is 27 years old. They must obviously enjoy working with children; experience in childcare is a must. Some countries even state how many hours of working with children they require before they allow you to au pair for any of their families.

Candidates must have completed high school and be able to produce a diploma or certificate as proof. They need to be in good health. Non-smokers are preferred but smokers aren't discriminated against; they must simply be prepared to smoke outdoors and away from the children. All candidates are screened and their references are verified. An independent, flexible, positive and adventurous spirit will always count in the candidate's favour. If the candidate is applying to au pair in a country where the language spoken isn't his or her mother tongue, it's advisable to have a basic knowledge of the language spoken.

The family that a successful applicant is placed with also undergoes an extensive screening process, to assess their suitability, and to ensure that the possibility for exploitation is kept to a minimum. They will have certain expectations of their au pair and it's important that these terms are discussed and agreed upon by both parties before the position is accepted. These terms will include your responsibilities and duties, as well as free time. Most families won't mind how au pairs spend their free time so long as they remember their responsibilities and remain punctual and clear-headed for appointments. Some families might object to late nights and friends coming over to visit at all hours, so it's best to be polite and check what's convenient for them.

Au pairing has the potential to be one of the richest and most rewarding experiences of a young person's life. The attitude and character of the prospective au pair plays a large role in the success or failure of the venture. Someone who is cheerful and positive, who genuinely likes children and who wants to use the opportunity as a learning experience, will in all probability enjoy the adventure and make a success of the family home. A negative disposition and an inclination to seek refuge from current life circumstances will probably result in an ungratifying experience. The chances are also good that such a person will dislike the family that they are placed with. Au pairing is a wonderful opportunity to travel the world and see exciting new places, what you make of it is up to you.

Recommended sites:

[http://www.scotia-personnel-ltd.com/aupair_Spain.htm]

http://www.aupair-agency.com/aupair-information.htm