27/01/2018
Hi guys, here is a typical conversation I've had with a person who is interested in being an Aupair in USA. It may help answer some of your questions and clarify things.
[01/27, 1:19 PM] +27 78 287 1128: i want to Aupair Over seas honey
[01/27, 1:19 PM] Shonleigh: Ok then you can apply with me.
[01/27, 1:19 PM] Shonleigh: Where do you live?
[01/27, 1:21 PM] +27 78 287 1128: At the moment I am in Miami with Msc seaside cruise ship, i work here as an assistant waiter. So we do the Caribbean ports,Jamaica,Mexico, us virgins etc. But I would really love to be based on land
[01/27, 1:22 PM] Shonleigh: Interesting. Which agency did you go through
[01/27, 1:23 PM] +27 78 287 1128: We have an msc recruitment agency in Durban South Africa
[01/27, 1:23 PM] Shonleigh: I spent 4 years in America and now applied for Canada.
[01/27, 1:23 PM] Shonleigh: Using the agency I now work for.
[01/27, 1:24 PM] +27 78 287 1128: So you were an au pair before?
[01/27, 1:24 PM] Shonleigh: Yes.
[01/27, 1:24 PM] +27 78 287 1128: How is the salary? Or how does it work
[01/27, 1:24 PM] Shonleigh: I always wanted to try out cruise ships.
[01/27, 1:25 PM] Shonleigh: Salary depends on where you go. But it's all expenses paid so basically your salary is your pocket money.
[01/27, 1:25 PM] Shonleigh: The only fee is agency fees and toiletries sometimes.
[01/27, 1:26 PM] Shonleigh: You get paid about R12000
[01/27, 1:26 PM] Shonleigh: How much do you earn on the cruise ship
[01/27, 1:26 PM] +27 78 287 1128: $1500 plus tips
[01/27, 1:27 PM] Shonleigh: Per month? And the hours?
[01/27, 1:27 PM] +27 78 287 1128: Per month yes and 11hours,7days a week
[01/27, 1:27 PM] Shonleigh: Wow that is hectic
[01/27, 1:28 PM] Shonleigh: How do you survive?
[01/27, 1:28 PM] Shonleigh: Do you get time off?
[01/27, 1:28 PM] +27 78 287 1128: We get offs, but it basically just be like you work breakfast, no lunch and then work dinner
[01/27, 1:29 PM] +27 78 287 1128: My body is ruined, the veins on the side of my thighs are seriously showing for others it even worse.
[01/27, 1:29 PM] Shonleigh: With Aupairing you work no longer than 45 hours per week and worst case 6 days per week with one full weekend off per month. Regular holidays and public holidays and medical.
[01/27, 1:29 PM] Shonleigh: No that's crazy. It should be illegal
[01/27, 1:30 PM] +27 78 287 1128: I know
[01/27, 1:30 PM] Shonleigh: I had a plastic Aupairing and am doing it again.
[01/27, 1:30 PM] +27 78 287 1128: So how to apply and where does one actually au pair? In school or some kids centre
[01/27, 1:31 PM] Shonleigh: No you live with a family. You get your own room and bathroom or flat. Depends.
[01/27, 1:31 PM] Shonleigh: They usually give you a car.
[01/27, 1:31 PM] +27 78 287 1128: So you take care of their kids
[01/27, 1:32 PM] Shonleigh: Usually you go where you find a job and family that suits you.
[01/27, 1:32 PM] Shonleigh: Yes drive them to school, do homework, pack lunch.
[01/27, 1:32 PM] +27 78 287 1128: China,France and Belgium are out for me
[01/27, 1:32 PM] Shonleigh: America is great.
[01/27, 1:33 PM] +27 78 287 1128: Yes I would love
[01/27, 1:33 PM] Shonleigh: Drivers licence is required unless you end up in new York
[01/27, 1:33 PM] Shonleigh: Or a family with a driver. You can always do your driver there
[01/27, 1:33 PM] Shonleigh: But it's a plus on your cv
[01/27, 1:34 PM] +27 78 287 1128: Ok. At the moment I don't have, but did the test last time I was home
[01/27, 1:34 PM] +27 78 287 1128: I'll do it again when I go home
[01/27, 1:34 PM] Shonleigh: You need at least 3 months child care experience. ( I faked it the first time, I was 19)
[01/27, 1:35 PM] Shonleigh: It's not really rocket science and you do get a training course included in the fees
[01/27, 1:35 PM] Shonleigh: For America the total is 6500+-
[01/27, 1:35 PM] Shonleigh: Ooo, that's a problem.
[01/27, 1:36 PM] Shonleigh: Where does your son live?
[01/27, 1:37 PM] Shonleigh: You can't take your son with.
[01/27, 1:37 PM] +27 78 287 1128: He stays home with his father and visit my mother for holidays
[01/27, 1:37 PM] +27 78 287 1128: I know
[01/27, 1:37 PM] +27 78 287 1128: I don't take him to the ship and i stay here for 8months
[01/27, 1:38 PM] Shonleigh: You only get 15 days leave as an Aupair
[01/27, 1:38 PM] Shonleigh: Like a normal job with normal hours
[01/27, 1:39 PM] +27 78 287 1128: So You can only go home once in a year and only for 15days?
[01/27, 1:40 PM] Shonleigh: Yes, or sometimes for three months over the summer if the kids go on camp. But it's not a promise. You will have to look for a family like that.
[01/27, 1:40 PM] Shonleigh: They do exist. I had them.
[01/27, 1:41 PM] Shonleigh: Except I brought my family to stay in America for holiday.
[01/27, 1:41 PM] +27 78 287 1128: Who pays for your travel expences
[01/27, 1:42 PM] Shonleigh: The return flight is paid for by the agency. Inbetween things you want to do is paid by you
[01/27, 1:42 PM] Shonleigh: You also get a 500$ study allowance
[01/27, 1:42 PM] Shonleigh: I had a kind boss who paid for every thing I studied and some holidays
[01/27, 1:43 PM] +27 78 287 1128: Well it sounds scary for the holidays part, but everything sounds ok
[01/27, 1:44 PM] +27 78 287 1128: You said in dollars how much is the salary?
[01/27, 1:55 PM] Shonleigh: You g*t paid $200 weekly. You get all meals any you want. All families will buy what you eat or give you money to go shop for what you eat.
[01/27, 1:55 PM] Shonleigh: Most families supply your shampoo and stuff. Some you have to buy your own
[01/27, 1:56 PM] +27 78 287 1128: And how much is the agent fee to apply
[01/27, 1:58 PM] Shonleigh: 1500 non refundable, 6000 refundable but you pay 3 parts when your portfolio is done , when you sign contract with family and when you get plain ticket. You also pay for your visa which fluctuates with exchange rate so could be 1000+-
[01/27, 1:58 PM] Shonleigh: That you only pay for when you get a family
[01/27, 1:58 PM] Shonleigh: And you go to the embasy
[01/27, 1:58 PM] Shonleigh: The agency sorts out your embacy docs and interview
[01/27, 2:00 PM] +27 78 287 1128: Ok. Thank you so much i'll really think about This one