Fund your wanderlust by working au pair jobs abroad. There may not be much uncharted territory left on a map, but there are definitely blank spots left on your map that are dying to be filled in and experienced from your point of view. Because that’s what modern explorers do! Modern explorers do more than merely visit some unseen place. Modern explorers look inward to explore the unmapped terrain on a deeper, more intimate level.
The best way to explore a place from the inside is by landing au pair jobs abroad. Au pair literally means “on equal footing”—so you won’t be an outsider looking in, but treated as part of the family. Amongst all the amazing benefits, like free room and board AND getting paid, au pair work abroad also means you’ll have ample time to get out and go explore.
Look at your new BFF!
What do au pair jobs look like?
An au pair wears many hats: part teacher, part sibling, part cook, part nanny, part SUPER AMAZING AWESOME HUMAN. Au pairs spend their days fulfilling a variety of roles centered on helping their host family thrive and grow.
An au pair work is multi-faceted and will vary somewhat depending on a family’s needs and your skills. Au pairs take on many responsibilities to help with a broad range of childcare needs with details specific to each and every family. Because au pairs provide live-in childcare, they are much more than just a babysitter and far cooler than a nanny. Au pairs offer greater flexibility and an extra layer of support to their host family.
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5 au pair jobs hiring right now
So if you’re ready to strap on that Babybjörn and au pair abroad, check out the top au pair jobs abroad for modern explorers:
1. Au Pair in Spain with Instituto Hemingway
Spain is known for it’s sunny climate, world-class beaches, and lively social scene. Needless to say, au pairing in Spain will allow you to enjoy a lifestyle few places in the world can match.
Spend your summer splishing and a’splashing with au pair summer jobs in Spain.
Pros: With au pair summer jobs, you may also be asked to join the family on their vacation. Hello Costa del Sol!
Cons: If you took Spanish in high school, you probably know that Spanish in Spain is a little different than what your professor was teaching. The dialect and accent might throw you at first, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time.
Need a little more?
- Read Instituto Hemingway reviews
- Browse all au pair jobs in Spain
2. Au Pair in New Zealand with BUNAC
Middle Earth may be a fantasy, but New Zealand certainly isn’t. People flock to New Zealand because of its devastatingly beautiful landscapes, but it’s also a stellar destination to find an au pair job abroad.
Au pair jobs in New Zealand are sweet as, and will probably include second breakfast AND elevensies.
Pros: New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world and a flat out paradise for modern explorers like you.
Cons: There’s so much to get out and do and explore, so your patience may be tested when you’re limited to kid-friendly adventures.
Need a little more?
- Read BUNAC reviews
- Browse all au pair jobs in New Zealand
3. Au Pair in Germany with Cultural Homestay International
From stunning castles to fairy tale worthy scenery, Germany is a cultural gem. It’s an ideal destination for au pair jobs in Europe. When you attain an au pair job in Germany, you will get to experience the country in a way most tourists only dream of.
Germany is the pinnacle of au pair jobs in Europe.
Pros: Working in Germany is the ultimate resume booster, networking tool, and life lesson in what it means to be a true professional.
Cons: For such a punctual, organized, thorough, and professional bunch, one can hardly be surprised to find out that Germans believe rules, regulations, and laws are meant to be followed. So take the time to learn the expectations and then abide by them.
Need a little more?
- Read Cultural Homestay International reviews
- Browse all au pair jobs in Germany
4. Au Pair in Australia with InterExchange
Au pairing down under will be sweet as mate! Enjoy the laid back vibes and never ending beach days as you bond with your host family and be a positive presence in the lives of children.
You’ll really develop a taste for Tim Tams as an au pair in Australia.
Pros: Listening to adorable Aussie kid’s accents never gets old.
Cons: So you thought you were getting off easy choosing an au pair job in a country that speaks English? Well, Aussie slang may as well be a different language, but your new family will be keen as to teach you the lingo.
Need a little more?
- Read InterExchange reviews
- Browse all au pair jobs in Australia
5. Au Pair in France with GeoVisions
France is one of the most desirable places in the world to work abroad as an expat. It’s one of the world’s wealthiest countries with a very high standard of living. This is where au pairing all started!
Au pair jobs in France are the sweetest—if you can baguette.
Pros: This is your chance to explore and discover the inspiring beauty of France without ending up broke!
Cons: If your dreams about au pair jobs in France are a primarily romantic notion, don’t let this set you up for disappointment. Be sure to manage your expectations of what life will be like as an au pair.
Need a little more?
- Read GeoVisions reviews
- Browse all au pair jobs in France
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How to become an au pair
If you have experience with children, can commit to an extended period of time, and are a native English speaker, you’ll easily find an au pair job abroad and merge wanderlust with work. Families usually begin their searches for au pairs well in advance, so start putting yourself out there and researching about six months prior to when you hope to leave.
Additional resources to find au pair jobs:
- Save and compare au pair programs with MyGoAbroad
- Get free, custom program advice from GoAbroad’s Online Advisor
- Why Au Pairing Abroad is a Good Career Move
- Read our Guide to Au Pair Jobs Abroad
- Watch this! How to Work Abroad: Words of Encouragement from Those Who've Done It
We all decided that you’ll make quite the au pair...
Give au pair jobs abroad a shot!
Au pairs are an extraordinary breed of modern explorer that have figured out how to get paid to travel the world in exchange for a meaningful opportunity to help shape, grow, and educate young children into becoming more rounded individuals. Talk about a rewarding way to spend your time! When you become an au pair, not only will you have an impact on your host family, they will certainly have a part in shaping, growing, and educating you as well.