GENERAL FAQs
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is an Au Pair?
Why can’t I apply directly to a family?
Why Should I Choose ARK International?
What support will ARK International provide?
How does this program benefit me?
USA FAQ page
GERMANY FAQ page
Who is an Au Pair?
The term "Au Pair" is a French word meaning being equal. In other words being part of the family. It was like a cousin or niece joining the family on her OE.
The tradition of young people living in another country to learn another language and pay for their room and board by helping with the children is a European concept that has been in operation for the last 70 years. These young people were called Au Pairs.
Why can’t I apply directly to a family?
When any young woman, including a trained nanny, replies to an advertisement, placed by an Overseas family wanting a “nanny”, you immediately expose yourself to potential exploitation by these families. Here are some of the reasons:
- You will be travelling on a visitor’s visa and not a work visa. This means that you will be breaching Immigration laws.
If you should be found out you could be deported. Apart from being most unpleasant, this can be very expensive. And in the USA they could impose a life time ban on your entry to the USA.
- The families are not screened
- There are no work restrictions, eg the number of hours of work or type of work - no house work, etc
- The families not monitored by any supervisory organisation so they are answerable to no one
- In accepting such a position, you are then placed in a vulnerable position both with immigration authorities as well as with your employers. They may offer you very attractive work conditions but if you find on arrival that this is not the case then you have no one to turn to for help, as you would have entered the country under a false declaration. In other words the “employer” can change the ground rules at any time without any recourse
- If you are exploited you have no recourse, as there is the threat of your working illegally hanging over your head.
Why Should I Choose ARK International?
All the above uncertainties and risks are removed if you are an ARK au pair as you will enter the country legally and match with a well selected, vetted and prepared family.
If anything goes wrong you will have local as well as ARK International’s support to rematch you or deal with your problem.
ARK International is a NZ based program that is primarily set up to look after the interests and welfare of the NZ participants.
ARK International specialises in preparing young people to live successfully in another country. We have a long and proven record of providing excellent preparation, care and support.
ARK International recognises that unless you are able to bridge the gap of cultural differences and cope with living in a different environment, however good your childcare skills are, you will encounter difficulties during your time away from NZ.
ARK International carefully prepares you for your overseas experience. We are proud of our reputation of sending the best-prepared Au Pairs and in recognition of our selection and preparation of Au Pairs we won the award for outstanding partnership in international cultural exchange.
AKR international helps you set realistic goals to get the best from the opportunities available so that you have a positive and successful experience.
ARK international helps with your visa, travel and airport transfers.
What support will ARK International provide?
ARK International will:
- Prepare you so that you can cope with living in a different environment by providing you with written material
- Help you with selecting a host family
- Prepare your visa documentation and make a visa interview appointment with the Consulates
- Organise your international travel
- Meet your domestic flights in Auckland if required and look after you until your departure
- Have a half-day pre departure meeting
- Give help and support while you are overseas, in addition to the support provided by the local program
- Provide support for parents in New Zealand whenever required
- If you go with ARK International you will not be alone unless you choose to be.
How does this program benefit me?
- Learn about another culture by being part of a family
- Make a real difference in the lives of children
- Gain maturity, confidence and international work experience
- A great addition to your CV
- Make new international friends
- Be able to enjoy travel in an affordable way
