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Au Pair packing list: what do you need to take with you?

To get started on your Au Pair adventure, make sure you pack these essentials:
  • Passport + Visa
  • Travel ticket
  • Signed Au Pair contract
  • Contact details and important telephone numbers 
  • Some cash and credit or debit card

Click here for detailed instructions or check out our quiz if you think you already know what should be on your travel packing list!
 
Packing for a year abroad might be a little more complicated than you think. You will probably face a different weather, new styles and you obviously want to look great. In addition to it, you will need certain documents during your stay abroad. So what should you take with you? 

Video: Your packing list for your time abroad

The following video is all about what you should bring with you for your time abroad. 


Do you already know what you should take with you to fully enjoy your Au Pair experience? Take our quiz and find out if you're missing something important!
Towels
Yes No
 
Insurance card
Yes No
 
Hair dryer
Yes No
 
Blankets or pillows
Yes No
 
Bed sheets
Yes No
 
Medical Kit + prescription medication
Yes No
 
Mobile phone
Yes No
 
Your Au Pair contract
Yes No
 
Submit!

What should you pack for your au pair stay?

Although packing your suitcase may sound easy, you may spend a significant amount of time wondering what you should take with you! Even if you are pretty sure that your packing list is already complete, have a look at our list just to make sure you didn’t forget anything (or took too much).
 

Items you don’t need to pack

1. Towels
2. Dressy clothes and high heel shoes
3. Bed sheets, blankets or pillows
4. Food

Miscellaneous items

1. Electronic devices (laptop, camera) + charger
2. Sun glasses
3. Photos of your family and friends at home
4. Present for your host family
5. Small bag of make-up
6. Your favourite books (not too many, they are heavy)
7. Small dictionary

Must-pack items

1. Passport + Visa
2. Travel ticket
3. Signed down Au Pair contract
4. Contact details and important telephone numbers
5. Some cash (about $200) + credit or debit card
6. Insurance card
7. International driver’s license
8. Comfortable clothes and shoes (Jeans, T-shirt, Cardigan, etc)
9. Enough of prescription medication (if you need)



Now let's talk in details what an Au Pair should pack before going to the Host country:
  • Documents: Passport+Visa
    You do not want to get to the airport and discover that you forgot your passport or visa at home. The passport is essential to identify yourself and you will need it to board the plane. We recommend you to check if it’s valid not only at the time of traveling but for the whole stay. If you need a visa, be sure that you have it with you. Migration officers will ask for the visa and you will need to convert it into a residence permit. 
  • Host Family’s contact information
    We suggest having a small card with all the contact information with you and leaving one back home as a backup as well. Be sure to take the telephone number and email address of you Host family so you can communicate with them at any time. In some cases, you might also need this information at the passport control.
  • Cash
    Take some cash in case you want to grab some food or need to take a cab. It's always good to be prepared!
  • International driving license
    If you have one - take it with you. Even if your family does not require you to drive, the licence might be handy in case they need you to use the car.  
  • Contract
    Take the Au Pair contract with you. It might be a requisite to open a bank account or to get your residence permit. 
  • Insurance card
    In many cases, the family will provide the Au Pair with insurance. Don’t forget to  take a document confirming that during your trip. If the family is not obligated to pay for your insurance, you should purchase an international emergency and travel insurance before the Au Pair stay begins. If you are traveling within the European Union, apply for the European Health Card and don't forget to take it with you. This will entitle you to public healthcare and the costs will be covered by the host country. 
  • Clothing essentials
    If you travel from a very warm climate to a cold one or viceversa, you're probably wondering what you should pack. We have a list of essentials that should definitely be in your luggage:
  1. Jeans (at least 3 pairs)
  2. T-shirts (you can never have enough)
  3. Cardigan
  4. ”Semi Formal” dress
  5. Trainers (Sneakers)
  6. Comfortable shoes for festive occasions, but no high-heels
  7. Summer dress. Keep in mind that it should be appropriate for the Au Pair program
  8. A skirt which you can wear both in spring and autumn
  9. A multifunctional jacket. Extra: winter jacket, warm boots, scarf, hat and gloves, if your host country has lower temperatures.
Another essential in your luggage should also be a present for your new hosts. Read more about Host Family present ideas.

Free Registration as Candidate 
Can I become an Au Pair?
The Au Pair program accepts participants who meet mainly education, family and age requirements. Please take a look at the full list of Au Pair requirements.  If you meet them, register as an Au Pair today and find a Host Family that matches your criteria.  
Who should pay for the travel expenses?
We recommend Host Families to help Au Pairs with travel expenses, though it’s not their obligation to do so. In any case, the Au Pair needs to cover the travel costs initially. If the Host Family would like to support the Au Pair, they can repay the ticket price in monthly installments that will be added to the Au Pair's salary during 10 months. In the case of Au Pair USA and China, the ticket will be covered by the Host Family. We recommend to discuss this topic before the Au Pair’s arrival and note down the conditions in the Au Pair contract. Learn more about other Au Pair costs to participate in the program or Host Family costs for hosting an Au Pair.  
How long does it take to find a Host Family?
It depends on several factors. Create your profile and make it attractive for other users. Check that you meet the Au Pair requirements set by the Au Pair program. Be active and contact 20-30 Host Families per day. While contacting the Host Families, make also sure that you fulfil the family’s expectations. Be active, open minded and try to convince families that the time spent with you will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for their kids! Generally speaking, it takes from one week up to a few months to find a Host Family
What is the process of becoming an Au Pair?
The Au Pair program is primarily a cultural exchange, thus Host Family and Au Pair need to belong to different nationalities. Below you can see a step-by-step guide that will help you become a part of the Au Pair experience. 
1. Register on AuPair.com and create your profile. As an Au Pair you can use the AuPair.com platform for free: send messages, browse profiles and get many other benefits after the registration. To stand out among the participants, you need to create an interesting profile.
2. Search for a prospective Host Family. Once you are signed in as an Au Pair, you can start searching for Host Families in different countries. The platform gives you the opportunity to browse families that match your preferences and destinations. In addition to AuPair.com's suggestions, you can add other families to your Favorites. This way you will have a selected list of users you are interested in. Each added family will receive a notification.
3. Meet up during the video-interview. After shortlisting the most suitable families, it is really important to talk to them to get to know each other better. During the interview both parties will share their expectations and talk about the important details of the cooperation. You will be able to see which family suits you best. In addition to this, a live video-call will protect you from possible scam attempts. Since scammers are afraid to reveal their identity, they usually refuse to join video-calls.
4. Sign the Au Pair contract and close other formalities. The Au Pair contract is a formal document stating all important details discussed between you and your future Host Family. It can help you avoid many possible misunderstandings and problems during the stay. Download the template of the Au Pair contract and edit it together with your Host Family according to your needs and the host country’s laws. Sign the contract and keep it with you. It is one of the visa requirements, though you might also need it for other formalities. 
5. Prepare for your trip. There are many important things you need to consider before going abroad: clarifying formalities with the host country’s embassy if you need a visa, gathering all the documents you need for registration in the host country, making sure your insurance coverage is sufficient, packing the suitcase, booking the tickets.  If the Host Family is willing to help you with the travel costs, we recommend writing it down in the Au Pair contract and define the installments that will be added to your monthly pocket money during the year. Nevertheless, it is not a responsibility of the Host Family to cover travel expenses. 
6. Adapt to the new country. Once you have arrived it's time to get to know your Host Family and the place where you will be living. Normally, it will take some time for the children to adapt to a new person, so don't worry if they seem distant at the beginning.
7. Enjoy your Au Pair experience. Don’t forget that the Au Pair program gives you a unique opportunity to stay abroad for some time and gain new experiences. Explore the country and local culture, meet new people and make sure you enjoy this experience to the max
Do I need a language certificate to become an Au Pair?
Language skill requirements differ from country to country. While you will have an interview in English for the US visa, China as a rule doesn’t require you to pass the interview in Chinese. Some embassies might ask as well for an official certificate of your language knowledge. Once you shortlist the number of countries you would like to go for an Au Pair program, contact their embassies in your country to find out the language requirements. You can also check this page before contacting the embassy. 


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