Au Pair Cultural Exchange Programs in the U.S. with AuPairCare

Have you dreamed of living in the United States, discovering a new culture, and gaining valuable life experience, all while working with children? If so, an au pair cultural exchange program might be the perfect opportunity for you! Designed for young adults who love travel, learning, and cultural immersion, the au pair program allows participants to live with a host family, care for their children, and experience daily life in the U.S. firsthand.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about cultural exchange programs and how you can become an au pair in the United States, including:

1. The benefits of au pair cultural exchange programs
2. Background and eligibility requirements for the J-1 visa
3. What to expect from an au pair program in the U.S.
4. Testimonials from U.S.-based au pairs
5. How to become an au pair with AuPairCare

Whether you're looking to improve your English, gain childcare experience, or explore the U.S. more affordably, AuPairCare can help you realize your dreams. As a U.S. Department of State-designated J-1 visa sponsor, we’re able to help you secure your visa, place you with a safe, vetted host family, and provide you with ongoing support throughout the program.

Interested in learning more? Start your AuPairCare journey here!

What Are Cultural Exchange Programs?

Cultural exchange programs help form connections between people from different countries by allowing participants to live, work, and study abroad. These programs let young adults experience new cultures, build meaningful relationships, and develop valuable skills in a foreign environment.

If you’re interested in traveling to the United States, cultural exchange programs like the au pair program are a unique way to explore the country while living like a local and sharing your own customs, language, and traditions. This creates a deeper understanding between cultures, forming cross-border bonds that last well beyond the program itself.

Benefits of Participating in Cultural Exchange

Any international travel comes with benefits, but participating in cultural exchange through opportunities like the au pair program takes things to the next level with these program benefits:

• Personal growth and independence: Living in a new country pushes you out of your comfort zone, helping you become more independent, adaptable, and confident. From navigating a foreign city to adjusting to a different lifestyle, cultural exchange builds resilience and problem-solving skills.
• Language and communication skills: For non-native English speakers, spending time in the U.S. is a good way to improve English fluency. Through daily conversations with your host families, friends, and local communities, you’ll develop stronger communication skills that can benefit your personal and professional life.
• Career and educational opportunities: Cultural exchange programs provide hands-on experience that can enhance a resume. Whether through childcare as an au pair, internships, or study programs, you’ll gain valuable skills that make you more competitive in the global job market.
• Building lifelong relationships: One of the most rewarding aspects of cultural exchange is the connections made along the way. Au pairs form strong bonds with their host families, make new friends from around the world, and become part of a global network of past participants who share similar experiences.
• A unique and affordable way to travel: Unlike traditional travel, cultural exchange programs often cover essential expenses like housing, meals, and even educational stipends. This makes them an affordable way for young adults to experience new destinations without the high costs of living and travel.

J-1 Visa Cultural Exchange Programs in the United States

The J-1 visa program is one of the most popular ways for young adults to participate in cultural exchange in the United States. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the J-1 visa allows individuals from around the world to live, work, and study in the U.S. for a limited period.

There are several different J-1 visa categories, each designed for a specific type of exchange experience. Whether you’re interested in childcare, seasonal work, professional training, or outdoor leadership, there’s a J-1 visa program for you! Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular options.

Au Pair Programs

Designed for young adults who love working with children, the au pair program allows participants to live with an American host family for 12 months (with an option to extend up to 24 months), provide childcare assistance, and experience daily life in the U.S. firsthand.

Au pairs provide up to 45 hours of childcare per week, including activities like school drop-offs, playtime, meal prep, and light housekeeping related to the children. In return, au pairs receive free room and board, a weekly stipend, and educational benefits (including a small grant to take courses at a U.S. college).

As well as earning an au pair salary, a J-1 au pair visa comes with many other benefits. Living with a host family allows you to fully experience American traditions, holidays, and daily life. Plus, because your housing and meals are included, it’s much easier to live in the U.S. without high expenses.

Many Au Pairs use their free time to travel around the U.S., meet new friends, and explore different cities. If this sounds like your kind of adventure, see how AuPairCare can help!

Internship and Training Programs

For young professionals and recent graduates, the J-1 Internship and Trainee programs offer hands-on work experience in U.S. companies. These programs are designed to provide career development opportunities in fields like business, hospitality, technology, and engineering.

Internships (up to 12 months) are for university students and recent graduates. Trainee programs (up to 18 months) are for professionals with at least one year of experience. Participants gain valuable international work experience and expand their professional network while learning about American business culture.

Camp Counselor Programs

If you love the outdoors and working with children, the Camp Counselor program is an exciting way to spend a summer in the U.S. Participants work at summer camps across the country, leading activities like sports, arts, and adventure programs. Most positions include free housing, meals, and a stipend, making it a budget-friendly way to travel.

What Can You Expect From an Au Pair Cultural Exchange Program?

As an au pair in America, your primary role is to care for the children in your host family. While your responsibilities may vary based on the family's needs, common duties include:

• Supervising and playing with kids
• Helping with homework
• Assisting with morning routines, like waking the children up and preparing breakfast
• Driving children to school or extracurricular activities
• Helping with evening routines and getting the children ready for bed
• Light housekeeping related to the children, such as doing their laundry
• Keeping the children’s play areas clean
• Tidying up after meals

While au pairs are responsible for childcare-related tasks, they are not housekeepers or domestic workers. Their primary focus is on childcare, and all their duties must relate directly to childcare.

Stipend and Benefits

The financial benefits of being an au pair make it an affordable way to live and travel in the U.S. Au pairs receive a minimum weekly stipend of $195.75, which goes a long way when your housing and meals are already paid for!

The U.S. Department of State calculation of the minimum weekly stipend is based on the federal minimum wage with a 40% deduction for room and board in exchange for childcare services. AuPairCare minimum weekly stipend is $215 per week which is higher than the U.S. Department of State minimum. Host families and au pairs are free to agree to a weekly stipend even higher than the $215 per week minimum.

If you want to learn more about the au pair stipend, taxes, and how much you can earn as an au pair in the United States, use our free au pair salary calculator.

Besides your au pair salary, the program includes an educational component, where au pairs receive funding toward college courses in the U.S. You’ll receive tuition fees for up to $500 of college courses (6 credits or 60 hours).

You’ll also have two weeks (10 working days) of paid holidays per year, as well as 1.5 days of free time each week and one completely free weekend per month. This gives you plenty of time to relax, travel, and explore the best of the United States. If you want more time to travel, your J-1 au pair visa allows you to stay in the United States for 30 days following the conclusion of your work as an au pair. After the 30-day period, you must return to your home country.

With these perks, the au pair program is one of the most affordable ways to explore the U.S. while gaining valuable work experience. Create an AuPairCare account to get started!

Cultural Immersion

One of the biggest advantages of being an au pair is the full cultural immersion. Unlike traveling as a tourist, au pairs become part of an American family. You’ll learn all about American traditions and have the opportunity to celebrate holidays like Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July, and Halloween with your host family.

If you’re wondering how to improve your English skills, becoming an au pair will help you to develop English language fluency. You’ll be interacting daily with native speakers, which is much more valuable and effective than studying in a classroom. After a few months, you might even find yourself thinking in English!

Childcare Experience

If you love working with children, the au pair program provides hands-on childcare experience that can be valuable for future careers in education, psychology, or child development. You’ll gain practical childcare skills, like learning how to manage routines, handle conflicts, and create fun environments and activities to keep kids engaged.

Being an au pair helps your career and your resume. It gives you a whole year of full-time childcare experience, and doing it overseas shows future employers that you’re not afraid to challenge yourself and leave your comfort zone. Whether you’re considering a career in childcare or just love working with kids, the skills and experiences gained as an au pair are both rewarding and beneficial for your future.

Hear From AuPairCare Au Pairs About Cultural Exchange Programs

Over the years, we’ve placed more than 100,000 au pairs with host families in the United States. These testimonials give you a snapshot of what the AuPairCare experience is like, straight from our au pairs themselves!

“I had the best two years of my life here as an aupair. The opportunity and experiences that this program provided me were really dreams come true. I’m so thankful for my host family that I couldn’t say enough about them. My area director Dawn Marie played one of the most important roles in the two years I spent here. Her care for every single one of the girls in our group was really noticeable and made our days here much better and joyful. I’ll take with me the memories I created in this program for life.”

• Luiza Martini, au pair

“I just finished my AuPair program in Orlando, Florida with AuPairCare! I had a great experience and an even greater Area director who was always there for me and the other AuPairs! I‘m so blessed that I found new friends for life and I‘m looking forward to staying in touch with all the AuPairs and my area director!!!!”

• Anna Neubauer, au pair

“This last year was full of new experiences, amazing people and some travels. I'm very happy and proud of everything I can make, this country teaches me about myself and shows then I'm stronger than I thought. My hosts are amazing and always make me feel in family.”

• Lina Marcela Villarreal Agudel, au pair

How to Become an Au Pair with AuPairCare

If you're dreaming of experiencing life in the United States while working as an au pair, AuPairCare can help you make that dream a reality. As a U.S. Department of State-designated au pair program, we provide comprehensive support, training, and host family matching for a smooth and safe experience.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, it’s important to ensure you meet the basic eligibility criteria set by both AuPairCare and the U.S. Department of State. To qualify, you must:

• Be between 18 and 26 years old
• Have at least 200 hours of childcare experience
• Have a high school diploma (or equivalent)
• Be proficient in English to communicate with your host family
• Be in good health and pass a medical exam
• Have a valid driver’s license and experience driving
• Pass a criminal background check
• Be willing to commit to a 12-month program, with the possibility of extending up to 24 months

You can learn more about our program and eligibility requirements here.

Application Process

Applying to become an au pair with AuPairCare is a step-by-step process that helps match qualified candidates with the right host families. Here’s what to expect:

1. Create an AuPairCare account
2. Complete your online profile for host families to view
3. Interview with host families to find a mutual match
4. Secure your J-1 visa after you match with a host family
5. Complete your pre-departure online training modules

Our team will help you every step of the way, from answering your initial questions about the program to offering tips for getting host family interviews. We set you up for a successful au pair experience from day one!

Matching With Host Families

Matching with a host family is one of the most important parts of becoming an au pair in the United States with AuPairCare. Our vetted, screened host families will view your profile and reach out to you if they think you’d be a good match for their family. You can then set up video calls with these families to get to know one another.

You don’t have to commit to the first family you interview with—it’s normal to talk to a few different families before making your decision. You can also talk to a family more than once if you think of more questions you’d like to ask or if there are more family members you didn’t get to speak to the first time.

Choosing your host family is very important, so we encourage you to take your time to meet with families and discuss expectations, schedules, and childcare duties. The match has to be mutual—both you and the host family need to agree before we facilitate the next steps, including visa paperwork and travel arrangements.

Orientation and Support

Before starting your au pair journey, we provide extensive orientation and ongoing support throughout your stay in the U.S. The AuPairCare Academy gives you access to advanced au pair online training, covering first aid, childcare basics, and everything you need to know about being an au pair in the United States.

One of the best parts of working with AuPairCare is our incredible in-person orientation event, AuPairCare Connect in New York City. Before flying you to you’re host family, we’ll take you to NYC where you can meet other au pairs and AuPairCare staff, take a tour of the city, and feel confident that you’re ready for this amazing adventure.

We also provide ongoing, in-person support throughout your entire time as an au pair via our Local Directors based in your area. Your AuPairCare Local Director is available whenever you need support or guidance, and also organizes fun monthly activities and meetups with the other au pairs in your region.

Explore the U.S. Through Cultural Exchange with AuPairCare!

Becoming an au pair with AuPairCare is the adventure of a lifetime. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in American culture, form lasting bonds with your host family, and gain valuable childcare experience while exploring the U.S.

With comprehensive support, structured training, and a seamless host family matching process, AuPairCare makes it easy for you to tackle this cultural exchange program with confidence. Whether you're looking to improve your English, gain childcare experience, or simply step out of your comfort zone, we’ll give you a safe and unforgettable experience.

Get started with AuPairCare today and experience the world in a whole new way!