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Location
  • Spain
    • Madrid
    • Barcelona
    • Palma de Mallorca
Length
4 - 52 weeks
Program Tags
Au Pair Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Post-High School Working Holiday

Program Details

Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Host Family
Age Min.
18
Age Max
30

Pricing

Starting Price
$495 USD
Price Details
The program fee covers:
- Assistance with the application process;
- Guidance through the interviewing and matching process;
- Assistance through the process of obtaining the Visa;
- Support and emergency contact throughout the placement abroad;
What's Included
Accommodation Meals Wifi
Mar 11, 2020
Mar 05, 2020

About Program

Our Au Pair Program provides young people with a wonderful opportunity to live with host parents and their children, while immersing themselves in a new culture and language. This program is a chance for young people to grow their childcare skills, gain professional experience, and explore a new part of the world. The program can help young people build self-confidence, meet new friends, and forge unforgettable memories.

Become part of a Spanish family by embracing the country’s rich culture and language, firsthand! Explore cosmopolitan city life, the architecture and monuments; immerse yourself in the diversity of people while living among dramatic landscapes and coastlines. At the end of the day, rest your head and enjoy a private room with full board courtesy of your host family.

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Video and Photos

Barcelona, Spain!
Kylie enjoying Madrid!

Program Highlights

  • Gain valuable childcare experience while providing live-in care for a host family
  • Great opportunity to travel and live abroad
  • Opportunity to live in Spain from 1 to 12 months
  • Ongoing support with staff members before, during, and after your program year
  • Thoroughly screened host families located in Madrid, Barcelona and Palma De Mallorca!

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Program Reviews

9.67 Rating
based on 3 reviews
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  • 9-10 rating 100%
  • 7-8 rating 0%
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  • Housing 10
  • Support 10
  • Fun 9.7
  • Value 9.3
  • Safety 10
Good for Solo Travelers, Students
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Default avatar
Isabel
21
United States
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Could not have had a better experience

Mar 5, 2020

Let me just start by saying I have had a phenomenal time working with Au Pair International. I am an Au Pair here in Spain and they made the process so easy and we're there for my 100% of the way. The people are extremely friendly and always willing to help, I love this company and can not wait to work with them next year!! If you are looking to become an Au Pair, API is completely the way to go. They are supportive and committed to helping you find the best possible match for you! Can not say enough words about this company!! xxx

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking part in definitely living alone in a country you don’t know.
14 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Amber
25
United States
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

My Au Pair experience In Madrid

Feb 8, 2020

My experience has been unique so far because of the family I am in. I have been very fortunate to not have any issues at all with my family. What’s Even better is that i have really grown to love them! I literally love spending time with these kids and I get along really well with my host parents! They are just so good to me! I think that is the best advice I can give an au pair! First make sure you know what you want from this experience. Then, make sure your suspected family has some similar goals in mind. Take the extra time to get to know them! Think or several questions and don’t be afraid to ask tough questions!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Well here in Spain they actually eat quite a few unfamiliar things. The one thing I ate was pigs! I have to say I will not be trying that again!
13 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Kylie
22
United States
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Best summer ever!

Aug 17, 2019

I went through this agency to be an au pair in Spain for the summer. They are amazing!!! I was walked through the whole process from start to end. The application process is a bit extensive but that is how you know it is safe. The vetting process for both au pairs and host families ensures that both parties are comfortable. I was able to talk with multiple families and choose the one I thought was the best fit. The placement coordinator I worked with, Jelena Estrada, is absolutely WONDERFUL! She was so helpful with getting me through the application process and she stayed in touch while I was in Spain. Jelena was genuinely excited for me to become an au pair which made my experience even better.

If you're looking to become an au pair, Au Pair International is a great agency. I met other au pairs in Spain who did not go through an agency and they had a lot of issues. Some were being paid way under the legal minimum and others were even kicked out by their host family with no where to go. Going through Au Pair International meant I had a contract that ensured I was paid well and not fired without notice. It also meant I had multiple people I could contact if there was an issue with my host family. Au Pair International takes care of their au pairs.

13 people found this review helpful.
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Read my full story

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Kylie Miller

Program
Become an Au Pair in Spain with API
Kylie Miller

Why did you choose this program?

I have been babysitting throughout high school and college so becoming an au pair seemed like a great fit for me. When I decided I wanted to be an au pair, I looked into several different agencies. Au Pair International was the only one to offer a short-term summer placement which is exactly what I was looking for. I decided to pursue going to Spain because I've studied Spanish for 15 years and love the language.

There are ways to become an au pair without an agency, but I am so glad I went through Au Pair International. They made sure I was safe, comfortable and paid well. The family and I both signed a contract provided by Au Pair International. I met other au pairs in Spain who did not go through an agency who had problems with being underpaid, working too many hours, or even getting kicked out with nowhere to go. I am so glad I chose to go through Au Pair International.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Au Pair International assigned me a placement coordinator who walked me through the entire application process. This included a background check, medical record, work experience, references, and more. The application was extensive, but only to make sure the family knows who they will be inviting to live in their home and trusting to take care of their children. In turn, the families also have to go through an extensive application process so I felt very comfortable going to live with them.

After I completed my application, my profile was sent to families and their profiles were sent to me. I organized video interviews with the families on my own and reported back to the agency about which family I wanted to live with. I was responsible for finding and booking my own plane tickets but the agency sent me their travel partner and I found a really good deal. Once I was in Spain, the agency reached out to check in on how I was doing. They also were able to get me in touch with other au pairs in the area which was the best part!

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Being an au pair is really a cultural exchange, so take advantage of it! Soak in the Spanish culture while also sharing your own. Be open to speaking Spanish, even if that means making mistakes. Since many au pairs in Spain were from the United States, it would have been very easy for me to only make friends with other Americans. I really pushed myself to connect with people from different cultures and I ended up making friends from all over the world.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Every au pair has a different schedule depending on the needs of the family. The agency ensures you have time off, including evenings and weekends. I worked about 20 hours a week.

On days I was working, I was taking care of the children and teaching them English. We would play games, go swimming, read books, and more. During my free time I hung out with other au pairs in the area.

On the weekends, we would travel together to other parts of Spain. I ended up visiting 8 cities in Spain throughout the summer!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was nervous about living with a family that I didn't know. A large part of my nerves was about speaking Spanish. The family ended up being so welcoming that all my fears melted away quickly. When it came to speaking Spanish, they were very supportive. I was able to practice speaking Spanish to the parents and they helped correct me. I was intimidated at first, but I learned so much Spanish in just a week of being in Spain.

About Au Pair International

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