What to do after being an au pair?

Of course, there isn’t a single "right" answer, but that doesn't mean you should stop reading! Going back to your everyday life is not easy, and besides… who said you that's what you have to do. You have many options, so keep on reading to find the one that suits you best.

Do you want to start learning again? Go to university

If you have always dreamt about attending university, then you just have to choose a course of study and look through the course offer of the different universities, in your country or abroad. Keep in mind that if you get a language certification during your time as an au pair, you’ll be able to attend university as an international student wherever you want: this could be an amazing experience!

If your passion for kids is what pushes you to become an au pair, then these are some of the best courses for you:

• Child Psychology, Development Psychology or General Psychology
• Education/Early Childhood Development
• Education
• Special Education
• Speech Therapy

On the other hand, if you are more keen on languages, want to learn new ones, become a teacher or a translator, then you can check these courses:

• Interpreting
• Translation
• Languages and Cultures for Tourism and International Commerce
• Foreign Languages and Literature
• International Relations

Which ever way your wishes are taking you, you can dream big - thanks to the au pair programme and knowing another language. This will be useful in any career you decide to pursue.

This is why you can check the Best Bachelor Degrees and Programs list and choose according to your interests being sure that thanks to the skills gained during your time abroad you will have an extra kick. The offer is wide, you just have to choose among your favourite cities, check the tuition fees to make sure they are in your budget, and then you can pack your bags! Whether in Danzig, Madrid, Rome, Porto, Geneva or Milan, there are courses waiting for you.

On the other hand, maybe you already got a Bachelor Degree or a Master Degree before going abroad as an au pair. It’s not unusual that students, after devoting time to study, choose to leave their country. If this is the case, after being an au pair you could go for a quality master and get specialized! In order to make your choice easier, we ranked the Best Master's Degrees & Masters Programs, so you just have to sign in for your favorite one.

Don’t want to come back home yet? Get a job in your dream city

You are in a foreign country, so why don’t you take this opportunity to get the documents and start searching for a job right there, where your adventure has begun? After all, you already know the city, have built friendships there plus your host family is there if you need help.

Depending on your interests, you can concentrate on different fields. At first of course, it might be easier to find a job in the restaurant business for example, but it doesn’t mean that you are not going to find your dream job if you give it a good try. With your language skills you might be able to work at the reception desk in a hotel. And often young people with experience working with children can find jobs helping out in kindergartens. There are lots of possibilities!

Keep in mind that the timing isn’t perfect to travel across Europe and the world, and it could be more difficult than usual to lay the foundation for a new life in a foreign country, but don’t be afraid! Being young means being flexible, you just have to adapt and you will definitely find what’s best for you!

Don’t want to choose between study and work? Do both

Starting university or a master has never been easier! In fact, almost every educational institution in the world has adjusted to the new corona pandemic situation and is currently offering fully online courses. This means that, now more than ever, you will be able to work and study at the same time. The time requirements of studying have not changed much, but you’ll be able to organize your days between work and university books as you prefer.

So hurry up and check the Best Bachelor Degrees and Programs online and Master's Degrees & Masters Programs online list. You can go for the blended attendance too! These Bachelors and Masters have both online and on campus attendance.

Did you love being an au pair? Search for a new family in a new country

You don’t have to come back home right after the end of your first au pair stay. Let’s face it, being an au pair is the best way of learning a new language, so why not learn two or three of them?

If you spent a period in Spain and you feel that you are forgetting your English… leave for Ireland or Canada! On the other hand, if you have been in England and you feel like living in a warmer country, why don’t you go for Portugal or Italy?

Remember to check the covid restrictions in every country and select the filters of our web page only for the countries you are sure you can travel to!

If you have doubts on how to proceed because of the pandemic, don’t worry! Read the article on How to find a host family in Coronavirus times and you'll have good ideas on how to proceed.

Video: Coming back home as an au pair

What to do after my au pair year? Working, studying or doing another au pair year? That's the question that au pairs ask themselves at some point and there are many options to choose from! Sharia tells you about her personal experience and what she did after her gap year abroad.

So, what are you waiting for? It's time to discover what’s next in your future!