<p>I know this doesn’t directly relate to college, but I thought I might be able to get some advice. I want to major in Spanish at college, and I’m hoping to get a head start. I’m thinking of being an au pair this summer, but I’m worried that it’s not safe. Is it? If it is safe, is it a good way to learn a language and get a head start for a Spanish major? If it’s not save does anyone have anyother suggestions? I’ve been studying Spanish in high school for the past five years.</p>
<p>There isn’t anything inherently unsafe about being an au pair. For thousands of young women (and some men) it’s a fabulous way to learn a language and live in a foreign country. Look for programs that offer substantial in country support, that specify exactly how many hours you are to work and what your responsibilities are, and programs that will help you enroll in language programs.</p>
<p>We had au pairs (here in the US) when D was a baby and toddler, and it was a very good experience.</p>
<p>Check out the program, and try and find returnees who can give you feedback on that specific program in that specific country. Don’t generalize that because a program has good feedback from someone who went to Denmark that it necessarily implies that the program will be equally good in Spain.</p>
<p>Look for a family with older (say, 3 and up) children rather than infants if you’re really interested in developing your speaking and listening skills. Infants aren’t a big help on that front.</p>
<p>Our au pairs ate with us, traveled with us, and were full members of the family. We gained one of our very best au pairs as a rematch from another family that had two au pairs and who basically sent them to live apart in servant’s quarters – two so that they had childcare coverage 24 x 7 while mom and dad traveled. She liked our home a lot better.</p>
<p>We also had aupairs live with us for 11 summers . You could also look for a Spanish speaking family here in the USA if you are apprehensive about going aboad. The last one we had actually was with us for the last three summers we needed one , but she came from Illinois, not Europe. She was hands down, the best of them all ( even a couple of family members ) She almost moved out to live with us and go to grad school , but then along came a guy…now she is happily married with a daughter who shares our daughter’s name </p>
<p>I know we aren’t supposed to post links to other websites , but feel free to pm me if you would like the name of the site that we used .</p>
<p>If you go abroad see if you can information that the host family wants you to speak Spanish! Some families utilize au pairs for their child to gain fluency in the au pairs native language.</p>
<p>You’ll get a lot more Spanish practice if you go abroad. Do be aware that some families will want you to help them practice a little English. (Oops see I am repeating bhmomma.) In any event. Being an au pair is generally safe. There are many agencies that help arrange things. Working with an agency will help if your first family placement turns out to have problems. I don’t know the regulations in Europe, but in this country au pairs are supposed to have be given time to get six credit hours over the course of 12 months and they don’t have to provide more than 10 hours of childcare per day.</p>