Hello Aupair World!

I have been thinking about accommodating an au pair for some time. However, I am not quite sure what to do, as I live in the country.  I mean: quite in the middle of nowhere. Which au pair would like to live so far afield? The next town is about 40 kilometres away, the next village about 14 kilometres.

As a host family, you should usually offer your au pair the possibility of participating in a language course. Therefore, I wonder, whether you could tell me, if a 14-kilometre-drive would be reasonable for an au pair? Do I even have a chance of finding an au pair? I am looking forward to reading your reply.

Best regards,

Petra H. from Germany

The reply of the Support Team

Dear Mrs. H.,

Thank you very much for your email. You are right: most au pairs prefer large cities to the country. Thus, your choice will be slightly reduced. However, the most important thing for you is to find a matching au pair.

In order to help you with your search, we would like to give you a few tips:

• Search for an au pair, who likes sports and is active, thus being able to keep himself/herself busy. Somebody, who possibly likes outdoor activities. An au pair, who loves to go shopping or to the cinema everyday, would most likely not be happy in your home.
• Emphasize the advantages of life in the country and of your own family in the free texts of your profile on Aupair World. In this context, you should put yourself in an au pair's position and think about which activities are offered close to your home. Are there riding opportunities or a nice hiking trail?
• It may be self-evident to you. However, for your au pair it would be a great offer to be allowed to use your car for the way to his/her language course. What about public transport in your area? If buses or trains go regularly, your au pair can move freely and independently. All these points would be an additional plus, which you should definitlely highlight in your profile.
• Active communication will help you in your search: you should ask specific questions, telephone and email each other frequently in order to find a matching au pair. You should inform your au pair about the special qualities of the countryside and point out to the fact that he/she should have a driving licence and a good driving experience.

• Depending on the au pair's country of origin, the meaning of "living in the country" may differ. In Canada or Finland this would mean that most families live quite far afield. In Germany, which is densely populated, "living in the country" may mean something entirely different.

This applies to your situation and to the fact that your au pair would have to drive 14 kilometres to attend his/her language course. This is still reasonable, though. After all, the most important thing is that your au pair feels happy with your family and that you both get along well with each other.

We wish you good luck on your search for a nice au pair.

Your Aupair World Support Team