AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study)

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• AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study)
• 40 years of experience
• First legal au pair program to the USA
• Launched in 1986
• Over 4,000 au pairs sent a year
• Over 50,000 students participate in AIFS exchange
  programs each year

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Are you..

• Interested in travel?
• Looking for an adventure?
• Wanting to work abroad?
• Interested in caring for children?
• Ready for hard work
• but with huge rewards!!

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Why become an au pair ?

• Independence
• Up to two years overseas
• Travel
• Taking a year off from University
• Improve language skills
• Meet new people
• We recruit in 55 countries
• Cultural exchange
• Improve childcare skills

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What is an au pair?

• Young person
• Part of the family
• Provides up to 45 hours childcare per week
• not more than 5 ½ days a week or 10 hours a day
• Child related duties only
• Study up to 3 hours a week
• Earn 139/200 a week
• Receive a J-1 visa
• Stay LEGALLY in the USA

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Applicant Requirements

• Be aged 18-26 years old
• Have 200 hours of recent practical childcare
• Speak English to a good standard
• Hold a valid driving licence
• Have completed high school
• No criminal record
• Be able to commit to 12 months abroad

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Program Benefits
We provide

• United States Government J-1 visa (for up to 2
  years)
• 4 day orientation near New York City
• Pocket Money
• Carefully screened host families
• Medical and personal liability insurance
• 500 study allowance
• Support from local Community Counsellor
• 2 weeks paid holiday (1 full weekend off per
  month)
• Optional 1 month travel opportunity

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Au Pair Extraordinaire

• Additional benefit 200 per week
• Hold an approved childcare qualifications
• Or
• Have 2 years full-time experience as a nanny,
  nursery school teacher or childcare provider and
  be at least 20 years old

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US Orientation

• 4 days Training
• American Red Cross
• Life in the US
• Host family expectations
• US childcare practices
• Adapting to a different cultural
• Childcare equipment fair
• Problems / Potential issues / Communication
• A NIGHT OUT IN NEW YORK CITY

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Host families?

• Diverse
• ethnic and social background, single parent,
  income levels, type of home
• Children typically aged 0 10 years
• 50 have at least 1 child under the age of 2
  years
• Average of 2 or 3 children
• some twins/triplets/special needs
• 78 Both parents working
• 22 Stay at home Mom or Dad

4000 active au pairs and host families Over 9000
children on the Au Pair in America program!
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Where in the US is Au Pair in America?
35 States 165 Clusters
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Families are looking for

• A safe and reliable child carer
• Commitment to their role
• A good communicator
• Adaptability
• A healthy au pair
• A good / safe driver
• A fun and positive role model for the children

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Application Process
The Next Step

• Read the brochure
• Complete the application forms
• Arrange an interview
• Bring your completed application
• to the interview

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What happens next!

• Your application will be circulated amongst
  families, whose needs and interests best match
  your experience.
• Families will call you for a telephone interview.
• Once a match is made - placement information and
  visa papers are sent and flight arrangements are
  made for you.
• You will have an interview at the US Embassy for
  your J1 visa.
• You will fly from South Africa to New York City
  and attend a 4 day Orientation.
• You will then fly/drive/train from New York to
  your host family.
• Your counsellor will make contact within the
  first 48 hours.

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For just 600 you receive
Program Costs

• Weekly allowance of US 139.05 / US 200
• Study allowance of up to US 500
• 2 weeks paid vacation
• 4 Day Orientation course near New York city
• Full board lodging with your host family
• Medical liability insurance
• Travel month
• 13 Month J-1 Visa with the option to extend
• An end of year bonus of US 400!

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