Staff Interview with Candy Ge

What about your work with Aupairia inspires you?

Here at Aupairia we have a lovely team, my colleagues are awesome and professional. I have learned a lot from them. We all of are working towards the same goal, which is to provide the best program for our customers and au pairs.

How do you support potential au pairs through the application and interview process, and through their placement?

With potential au pairs, one of our main jobs is to help them gain more information about our program and the host families, and to get clear understanding about their own intentions and expectations for the program.

So first, I will help them to get a better understanding of our program, meanwhile I will instruct them to look for more information via our website, and social media, etc.. I will give them more information about the program procedures and requirements of host families.

During the interview process, I will advise the au pairs to complete the program application, answer any questions they may have about the program, walk them through the procedures of finding a right host family, and help them with the visa process. I continue to have regular conversations with au pairs during their time in China to provide support when necessary.

What qualities make an ideal au pair?

As a participant of a cultural exchange program, it’s important to be open and eager to learn about Chinese culture. Ideal au pairs also enjoy playing with kids, and are active, outgoing, kind, and enthusiastic.

Why should a hopeful au pair choose to work with Aupairia?

1) We provide professional support throughout the whole program; 

2) Our appealing program benefits which include: round trip flights, food and accommodation assurance, monthly allowance, weekly Mandarin lessons, and monthly cultural activities; 

3) Our aim for providing a cultural exchange platform for au pairs to discover more about themselves, about the world, and benefit their future careers.

How do you ensure each au pair is placed with a respectful, honest family?

We have a strict family screening process for the families. We do home visits with the host families before we accept them into the program, and talk to the family members to make sure they understand the program properly and accept the au pair as one of their family members.

Every au pair will be given the opportunity for a match interview with the host family so they can ask the host family any questions they want. They decide whether they want to choose the host family themselves. If they are not happy with a family after the interview, we then try searching for another one for them.

What does a typical day at Aupairia's office look like?

Our office hours are usually from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. When I arrive at the office, I first organize my work for the day, do the arranged interviews with new participants, and/or guide them through the pre arrival procedures. When there are au pairs who are finishing the program soon, we have lunch with them in the office to talk with them about the program experience and say goodbye.

An afternoon tea is sometimes necessary for me to keep up my energy for the interviews!  Due to the different time zones, some au pairs may also need our help in the late night or early morning, so my colleagues and I are always happy to help anytime they may need it.

How does your own passion for ancient Chinese Culture influence your work?

I am always very happy to introduce the au pairs to our ancient Chinese philosophy, calligraphy, musical instruments, and interesting books to read in order to help the au pairs learn more about Chinese culture.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part is interviewing the au pairs. I get to meet new people, hear their stories and their previous experiences, and I am very proud to hear when China is their dream destination.

Do you have any advice you want to share with potential au pairs?

Life is an adventure, just do it!  The world is waiting for you.

It’s important to set goals/plans before potential au pairs come to China since there are loads of things to do and places to explore during their time here.

What makes China an ideal location for au pairing?

China is a very different culture: the language, people’s ways of thinking, lifestyles, the buildings, the clothes, and the history. So coming to China means that au pairs will face both the challenges and the joyfulness of exploring a totally different culture.

What sets Aupairia apart from other au pair agencies?

We are more educational focused for both host families and au pairs. We try to provide as many educational materials to the host families’ kids as possible, and provide au pairs the opportunities to study Mandarin at a local language school or university. Quite a few au pairs plan to extend their future education in a Chinese university after they finish our program.

We also try to provide the au pairs with more chances to experience and enhance their skills during the program. For example, au pairs have the opportunity to provide volunteer services at the local hospital or village school.

What are your hopes for the future of Aupairia?

I hope that we can build up an amazing platform for youth from all over the world to change their lives and make a difference through the efforts of my team, the au pairs, and host families.