Amistad Au Pairs Costa Rica

Under our Au Pair in Costa Rica program, Au Pairs are welcomed into the homes of Costa Rican Host Families as a family member for a 3 months cultural exchange.

During the first month, Au pairs will participate in a 1 month Spanish Course, as well as in cultural and educational activities designed to teach them about the life in Costa Rica. They will also assist with child care and teach the children their language. After offering credentials and recommendations we will accept au pairs who are nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and the European Union.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

• The Au Pair will live with a carefully screened Host Family who will treat the Au Pair as a family member, not as domestic help.
• Au Pairs will have access to an emergency 24/7 phone number.
• Every consideration will be given to the Au Pair’s preferences concerning ages of children and special requests.
• Pocket money: Be a nanny up to five hours a day, five days a week and you will receive in return $25.00 a week plus room and board.
• Au Pair will participate in our 1 month Spanish Course and all the activities the students have.
• Au Pair will have a private room.

FAMILIES

• The Host Family will accept the Au Pair as a member of the family and not as an employee or boarder.
• The Host Family will provide the Au Pair with a private room and full board, as well as pocket money of at least $25 USD per week throughout his or her stay.
• The Host Family understands that the primary function of the program is a cultural exchange. As a result, they will allow the Au Pair to attend classes and participate in cultural opportunities.
• The Host Family will allow two days free per week, usually the weekends. And will allow the Au Pair to go earlier on Fridays in case of weekend trips.

HOST FAMILY SCREENING
Host Families accepted by Amistad Au Pair are thoroughly screened to ensure a safe, comfortable home for every Au Pair. Each prospective Host Family must submit a lengthy application, undergo an in-depth interview and sign a written statement agreeing to abide by the program’s guidelines.
Once a Host Family has been selected for the Au Pair, we send her the family's details and send her information to the family. We just make it easier for both parties. Amistad Au Pair will refer Au Pairs to families; and, vice versa, who have similar interests and backgrounds.
In the unlikely event that the Au Pair is dissatisfied with the family; or, if the family is dissatisfied with the au pair, Amistad Au Pair will help in attempting to resolve any problems. If the problems are insolvable, the Au Pair will be placed with another Host Family, provided the Au Pair has followed the program’s guidelines.

AU PAIRS
1. The Au Pair will provide of up to approximately 25 hours of childcare and childcare related housekeeping for the Host Family.
2. As a member of the family, the Au Pair will be expected to share in the usual household chores along with other family members such as assisting in cleaning up after a family meal, your own room, pick up after smaller children, bathe and dress small children and feed the children when the parents are not available. Heavy housework is not the responsibility of the Au Pair.
3. The Au Pair is to be of assistance to the Host Family and in every way try to fulfill the duties expected. Amistad Institute will be available to assist both parties, and will assist to resolve any disputes as to appropriate expectations.
4. Au Pairs are responsible for any personal expenses incurred while living in the home of the Host Family. This would include telephone bills, tours, trips on weekends, etc.

ALL AU PAIRS SHOULD
1. Be between 18 and 35 years old.
2. Have proven child care experience.
3. Be a non-smoker, a non alcohol drinker and non-drug user. Some families will accept smokers.
4. Take our Special Spanish Course for Au Pairs.
5. Be able to make a 3 months program.
6. Provide to Amistad Institute and to the host family, valid information about his/her experience. Resume, recommendation letters, etc.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What if I get homesick?
A. It is only natural to feel homesick at the beginning of your stay in Costa Rica, but for those with enough maturity, this passes quickly. If you have serious doubts about being able to live away from home and friends for an extended period of time, wait until you are more comfortable with the idea.

Q. I would like to go to Costa Rica as an Au Pair, but the only experience I have is babysitting. Should I still apply?
A. Certainly, the more experience you have, the better your chances of placement are. However, there are other qualities that are also important for placement, such as maturity, responsibility, an interest in cultural enrichment and a real desire to work with children. If you feel you have some of these qualities, please submit your application. We will do our best to find you an appropriate family.

Q. When should I apply?
A. You may start the program any time you wish. It will typically take up to a month to process your application, although placements are usually made in far less time. The sooner we have your application, the better the chances of being placed on the dates you desire.

Q. I do not speak Spanish. Should I apply?
A. Yes, that is the reason why we are offering you the opportunity to study Spanish for the first month as part of this wonderful program.

Q. Why do I have to pay a fee? Other agencies have offered to place me for free.
A. As the old saying goes, "If something is free, you probably get what you pay for". If an agency does not charge you, you are not a client of that agency. That agency's client is only the family, NOT you. We consider both the families AND the au pairs to be our clients and do our best to take care of both parties. Besides that, you are taking our Spanish Course, special prices in tours with our Travel Agency (www.terracostarica.com), 24/7 phone assistance in the case of an emergency, insurance for the three months of your stay, etc. And payment is not due until you have accepted a family and vice versa.

Q. I am male. Can I apply?
A. Although we support equal opportunities, there is almost no demand for male au pairs except native English speakers.

Q. We are a couple who wants to be placed together. Is this possible?
A. No, there is no demand for couples.

Q. Can you provide references?
A. Yes we can provide references. Just let us know if you need them.

In order to process your application, we need the following:

• Application properly filled out.
• 1 passport size photo (smiling please!)
• 4 photos of you with children.
• A “Dear Family” letter, in Spanish, stating who you are, why you want to go to Costa Rica, your hobbies, interests, experience with children, any special considerations (such as diet), etc.. Please do NOT get help with the letter so the family does not think you know more Spanish than you do. If your knowledge of Spanish is zero or near zero, write the letter in English.
• 2 or 3 reference letters. At least one should be a child care reference. It can be in Spanish or English.
• Medical Report (a letter from your family doctor on his letterhead is fine).
• Police Report (go to your local police department and tell them you need a document saying you have no criminal record for "travel" purposes).
• Photocopy of your driver’s license (not mandatory, we can place you even if you don't drive).
• Photocopy of all the degrees, high school diplomas, or any other qualification that fits the program.
• Please send the photos by email or snail mail. Please send all other documents by fax or snail mail.

Further information spanish@amistadinstitute.net