Information about being an au pair in Austria?
February 6, 2010 9:28 AM Subscribe
I might go be an au pair for a friend of a friend in Austria. Help.
I don't speak German. My job prospects here in the states are terrible because of the economy and my field.
I am American, 28 years old. Nearly a college grad, just need one more class to be finished. Childcare experience, yes. First aid, yes.
There are actually 2 potential au pair gigs. One "beginning as soon as possible to the end of June" and the second "for the summer." These are in different cities, and the families know enough about the situation that these gigs could possibly be placed end to end.
My concerns are, how much pocket money should I ask for, and how do I approach the issue of my not being able to afford a plane ticket to Europe (at all)?
Some details. The first job has two children, aged 3 years, and an infant, I would have an apartment 10 miles from the children. 4 days per week with "some evenings." I would have weekends to spend as I please. I envision being an English tutor or...something, with maybe some travel if the stipend is enough.
The second job is a 12 year old girl whom I have met, she speaks English and is a good kid.
The double fun is that I have a wedding to attend (bridesmaid) here in the states on March 13.
And ouchy - my passport is not current.
Bonus for me - we're not using an agency, so the family is saving money there, and I'm confident about the nice-ness of all parties. Not so Bonus - I don't want to get a working visa.
My bills at home are minimal - student loans, a small credit card balance. Mostly, I'm worried about the barrier of this plane ticket thing, as most au pair "matching" sites mention that the au pair pays airfare in some way or another. That's the potential deal breaker for me, but the rest of the info sure would be helpful.
Throwaway email: NannyinAustria@gmail.com
I don't speak German. My job prospects here in the states are terrible because of the economy and my field.
I am American, 28 years old. Nearly a college grad, just need one more class to be finished. Childcare experience, yes. First aid, yes.
There are actually 2 potential au pair gigs. One "beginning as soon as possible to the end of June" and the second "for the summer." These are in different cities, and the families know enough about the situation that these gigs could possibly be placed end to end.
My concerns are, how much pocket money should I ask for, and how do I approach the issue of my not being able to afford a plane ticket to Europe (at all)?
Some details. The first job has two children, aged 3 years, and an infant, I would have an apartment 10 miles from the children. 4 days per week with "some evenings." I would have weekends to spend as I please. I envision being an English tutor or...something, with maybe some travel if the stipend is enough.
The second job is a 12 year old girl whom I have met, she speaks English and is a good kid.
The double fun is that I have a wedding to attend (bridesmaid) here in the states on March 13.
And ouchy - my passport is not current.
Bonus for me - we're not using an agency, so the family is saving money there, and I'm confident about the nice-ness of all parties. Not so Bonus - I don't want to get a working visa.
My bills at home are minimal - student loans, a small credit card balance. Mostly, I'm worried about the barrier of this plane ticket thing, as most au pair "matching" sites mention that the au pair pays airfare in some way or another. That's the potential deal breaker for me, but the rest of the info sure would be helpful.
Throwaway email: NannyinAustria@gmail.com
I grew up with au pairs of many different nationalities, and can say that not speaking any German at all is a huge barrier, even with the 12yo speaking English. She would have to be your interpreter on any outings, and for the younger ones, which would be quite unfair on her.
Seconding waiting for the summer one, especially considering the wedding/flights/passport issues.
posted by ellieBOA at 10:23 AM on February 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
Seconding waiting for the summer one, especially considering the wedding/flights/passport issues.
posted by ellieBOA at 10:23 AM on February 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm currently an aupair in Turkey (well, I technically won't be in 24 hours!). I've been here for 13 months. I was asked to come "as soon as possible", but the circumstances were perfectly reasonable, so don't let their urgency scare you. It might just be that their work situation necessitates someone there for the kids, and it's better to have a nanny start right away, than to continually switch babysitters until they can find a full time nanny.
I'm a "drop everything and go" kind of person. Normally I'd say go for the first option and jump on a flight asap! But because of your passport situation, and the wedding... it's just not a very wise choice to leave and then come back and then go again. Wait until after the wedding.
However, that being said, will the first family accept you starting March 15th or so? Could you work for them until June, and then the second family for the remainder of the summer? If so, maybe the first family could purchase your flight there, and the second family purchase your flight home.
Salary-wise, if they're purchasing a flight, plus giving you an apartment, I would ask for something in the ballpark of $500/month (considering how much time off you have, you could probably private tutor to make some more).
Don't go into this thinking you'll have an easy job. My job here is a sweet deal (paid flights to the Middle East every 3 months, a car, a cook, a housekeeper, my own room, and an awesome salary), but the job itself makes up for it. I love my kids more than anything in the world, but this is still a real family, with real issues. So even though you know the families are "nice", don't forget that they're real people, too.
If you're really interested in heading overseas for a bit, but things don't work out with either one of those families, then check out Great Aupair. Someone on MeFi mentionned it, I registered (free), and thats how I came to Turkey! Or actually, if you're interested in Turkey, I'm friends with a couple families that need a nanny.
If you have any other questions, MeMail me!
posted by hasna at 11:50 AM on February 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm a "drop everything and go" kind of person. Normally I'd say go for the first option and jump on a flight asap! But because of your passport situation, and the wedding... it's just not a very wise choice to leave and then come back and then go again. Wait until after the wedding.
However, that being said, will the first family accept you starting March 15th or so? Could you work for them until June, and then the second family for the remainder of the summer? If so, maybe the first family could purchase your flight there, and the second family purchase your flight home.
Salary-wise, if they're purchasing a flight, plus giving you an apartment, I would ask for something in the ballpark of $500/month (considering how much time off you have, you could probably private tutor to make some more).
Don't go into this thinking you'll have an easy job. My job here is a sweet deal (paid flights to the Middle East every 3 months, a car, a cook, a housekeeper, my own room, and an awesome salary), but the job itself makes up for it. I love my kids more than anything in the world, but this is still a real family, with real issues. So even though you know the families are "nice", don't forget that they're real people, too.
If you're really interested in heading overseas for a bit, but things don't work out with either one of those families, then check out Great Aupair. Someone on MeFi mentionned it, I registered (free), and thats how I came to Turkey! Or actually, if you're interested in Turkey, I'm friends with a couple families that need a nanny.
If you have any other questions, MeMail me!
posted by hasna at 11:50 AM on February 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
I moved to Austria without knowing a word of German and did just fine. But that was in Salzburg. I'd be more hesitant to do so in a small town.
Whatever you do, make sure your paper work / visa / passport are 100% in order. You don't want a tiny mistake showing up on your record several years from now.
posted by Neekee at 1:10 PM on February 6, 2010
Whatever you do, make sure your paper work / visa / passport are 100% in order. You don't want a tiny mistake showing up on your record several years from now.
posted by Neekee at 1:10 PM on February 6, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Why do you need to take the first job now? Because it's the only job you think you can get? Sounds like it the cost of picking up and leaving right now (plane tickets there, plane tickets back for the wedding, the cost of a rush passport) negates the earnings you could make in the next few weeks anyway. So hold off for the summer gig, and get your ducks in a row until then.
posted by greta simone at 10:01 AM on February 6, 2010 [2 favorites]