If you go on the internet, you can find thousands and thousands of articles about how travelling is amazing. It helps you come into contact with new cultures, challenge your perceptions of a place, grow as a person, and ultimately, it offers a break from your daily routine. However, in recent years, and especially in the post Covid-19 era, the world has seen an increase in overtourism and a saturation of trendy travelling destinations.  Many feel like they shouldn’t travel so much, so as to not contribute to this phenomenon. However, it is still possible to visit these places and many more without having a negative impact: you need to start travelling in a more sustainable way. And the best way to do that is becoming an Au Pair. In this article, you’ll find not one, not two, but six reasons to compel you to become an Au Pair if you are (or want to become) a responsible traveller and want to merge your passion with sustainable practices.

Reason #1 - You will not be contributing to the short-stay accommodation industry

One of the most significant problems of overtourism, and one that local populations complain about the most, is the existence of short-stay accommodation. As an Au Pair, you will be hosted by a local family and thus not contributing to this problem. Moreover, since you will be living in your Host Country for an extended period of time, you will have the opportunity to look for more sustainable options for when you do short trips. You can look for accommodation on platforms like Fairbnb or Ecobnb, or alternatively, you can stay at local hotels, since they are usually run by locals, employ local people, and use local products. A significant part of your cultural exchange will be learning not only about the good side of your Host Country, but also the problems and issues it faces. Being an Au Pair will give you the opportunity to connect with the community around you and understand these problems and how not to contribute to them.

Reason #2 - You will learn how to properly honour the country’s culture

Part of travelling more sustainably is to take the time to learn about the culture of a country and the language. Those are two of the principles at the core of being an Au Pair and an essential part of any cultural exchange. It does not matter if your stay is one or twelve months; the fact is, you will be living in your Host Country for an extended period. You’ll learn the language through your language course and with your Host Family, as well as in daily interactions. Every time you go grocery shopping or get on public transportation, you’ll have the chance to practice your small talk skills, which are just as important as anything you’ll learn in a classroom. In these daily interactions, you’ll also learn what to do and what not to do in your Host Country, what customs they have, and characteristics that are part of the culture. This can be as simple as learning the proper greeting, whether you kiss on the cheek or give a handshake, to how people in your Host Country celebrate festivities and local traditions. Travelling sustainably means slowing down and immersing yourself in the amazing opportunity that is travelling. And that’s exactly what being an Au Pair is (or can be!). 

Reason #3 - You will have the possibility to travel with sustainable transportation

While you will most likely have to travel to your Host Country by plane, during your Au Pair stay, you can opt to use sustainable transportation to travel around your Host Country or during your daily life. You can bike around the city or town you’re staying in, or use trains to visit new places. Plan your itinerary in advance and check out what the best course to take is and what the prices are. If you are planning to travel with your friends, you can also do a road trip, and it might be worth it depending on whether you would be using the car a lot and how much it costs to rent it! 

Reason #4 - You will buy locally and contribute to local small economies

Staying long-term in a place allows you to buy locally, since you will get to know the region you are Au Pairing in really well. Buying locally means knowing where the products come from, whether they are organic or not, and ultimately, they are another way to get to know your Host Country. They are examples of products your Host Family and other locals use in their daily lives. You'll find new foods and snacks your Host Family and Kids enjoy, what sort of items they use and consider normal in their daily lives, and just things that are available in your Host Country that you would never see at home. 

Reason #5 - You can be responsible for what you bring and what you buy

A reality that many Au Pairs realise after their stay is that they buy a lot of things during their time with their Host Family. Alternatively, they packed a lot of things they did not need. Be sure to make a list of what you absolutely need to bring when you go on your Au Pair stay so that you don’t end up packing for the wrong season or forgetting your favourite outfit. But also remember that you will be living in your Host Country for months. You will find things you want to buy. And that will only be a problem when you are packing to leave and realise you have no space in your suitcases, but it also contributes to unnecessary waste. When you decide to buy something, be sure you really need it first. Adopting this strategy is both sustainable and will help you keep track of your spending. Because let’s be real, you don’t want to spend all of your money on material stuff, when you get the chance to travel and do activities in this new country, and you also need money for that. So be responsible about your purchases always and stick to a budget. 

Reason #6 - Your stay as an Au Pair will leave a positive and lasting mark

Unfortunately, tourists have acquired the infamous reputation of being bad guests rather than members of an important sector of economies. You can prove them wrong! Even if your stay is limited, every day you will make new memories, and you will leave an impact on those around you. Your Host Kids will remember you for years to come, and your Host Parents will be forever grateful for all the help you have given them. You’ll also meet local people around, you’ll meet other Au Pairs, and other young people travelling in your Host Country. Take the risk of being someone they remember fondly. Be respectful and curious, and enjoy this amazing opportunity! At the end of the day, people always appreciate those who visit and honour their country properly. That is the most sustainable way of travelling, because the mark you leave on your Host Country will be one of love, never contempt.

Ultimately, this article’s aim is to encourage you to make the most of your Au Pair stay. You do not need to feel guilty about travelling or feel like you should or can’t be doing it. You absolutely can, you just need to do it the right way! Becoming an Au Pair is the perfect solution ;)