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Must
I have a driver's license?
It is definitely an advantage, but DENMARK is the only
country that will accept an applicant who is still 17!
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What
are living conditions like?
You can
expect your own room as an au-pair, provided within the
family home and you will be treated like a big sister.
It is very important to
the Danes that the family lives comfortably. Most Danish
houses and flats are of a high standard and are usually
spacious. In most families, children have their own room.
Most Danish
houses reflect the high standard of living in the country.
What will my au-pair duties be?
Danish families
by law cannot ask an aupair to work more than 18 - 30 hours
per week. Typically if you are willing to work at least 30
hours per week, you will get paid more. Most of the duties of an au-pair will revolve
around the children; however an au-pair can be asked to do
washing and ironing, general
tidying up of the home, and cooking.
You will be required to contract for a minimum period of one
year.
Click
here to have a look at a typical family's expectations
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| How
does Health Insurance work?
Everybody who is
resident in Denmark is entitled to hospital assistance in
case of accidents, emergency illness or emergency worsening
of an illness.
Public health care
service (health insurance) in Denmark covers hospitalisation
and medical consultation. Furthermore, the health insurance
subsidises medicine and a range of treatment.
You will have a
six week quarantine before having access to public health
services and therefore you will need to purchase medical
insurance to cover your initial six weeks.
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How
much will it cost me
Click
here for the program costs.
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Danish
'hygge' often means being together with friends and family
eating and drinking.
click
here to find out more about being a child in Denmark
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AU PAIR program in
DENMARK
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AU-PAIR in
DENMARK
Denmark is a small country of
islands, located in Northern Europe. Denmark, which also consists of
Greenland and the Faroe Islands, is a part of Scandinavia. The country
has approx. 5.3 million inhabitants.
Denmark is a member of the EC, but has chosen not to take part in the
monetary union and the military cooperation.
Characteristic features of Denmark are primarily the welfare system,
which ensures equal rights and access to public services for all, and
the democratic government. Denmark is also characterised by gender
equality, freedom of speech, an active business life and high-quality
research and development environments.
The Danes are informal in dealing with people and put a lot of focus
on their personal freedom
YOU AND YOUR
HOST PARENTS
An aupair in Denmark must be
treated the same as the rest of the family and you become a big sister
or brother in the family home. The Danes feel strongly that both sexes
must have equal rights and it is perfectly fine for childcare to be
done a man instead of a woman. The home is very important to the
Danes.
They invest a lot in good
and spacious accommodation and normally most meals are taken in the
home; so if you enjoy cooking this could be the perfect program for
you. There are three main meals in Denmark: breakfast and dinner are
typically eaten at home, whereas lunch for practical reasons has to be
eaten elsewhere and often consists of a packed lunch brought from
home.
The Danes prioritise
their spare time highly, and many are active outside of work
practising sports, attending evening classes, participating in
cultural activities such as visiting museums and going to the theatre
or taking part in associations and clubs.
The Danish cultural
life is varied, offering live music, ballet, theatre and opera. The
Royal Danish Ballet, the opera houses in Jutland and Copenhagen and
the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra are examples of internationally
acclaimed institutions. Denmark is, furthermore, the country of music
festivals, which means the selection of music in the summer half is
comprehensive and international, especially in the genres of rock,
folk and jazz.
Other leisure
activities range from all types of sport and exercise to clubs,
associations, organisation and evening classes. All local authorities
arrange activities specifically for children.
You may be
responsible for bathing and feeding the children, playing games,
taking them to school and fetching them, supervising homework and
taking them to extra mural activities such as, swimming
lessons, art, karate, ballet; arranging play dates with friends and
taking them on suitable outings. You will be responsible for
ironing, general housework, meal preparation, help with grocery
shopping and other family chores. Family life is warm, cosy and
affectionate.
We provide you with
information about your host family and they will call you for an
interview. Often you will choose a family based on mutual expectations
and hobbies and interests, or they may just sound right. Should the
unlikely case of an exploitative situation occur, JCR will remove you
and arrange for you to stay in a safe house and where possible place
you with another family.
WHAT YOU CAN
EXPECT FROM THE AU-PAIR PROGRAM IN DENMARK
- Have your own
furnished bedroom in your host family's home
- Receive
pocket money of between DKK2500 per month (about R3500)
- Have one weekend and
one day per week off per month
- work a maximum of 30
hours per week
- be able to travel
and explore Europe
- Meet regularly with
other au-pairs
- Have the option to
attend Danish Language lessons (Education is free in Denmark)
- Have your airfare
paid back to you by your host family after completion of a
successful year or if you application is superb, have the family
pay your airfare in full in advance.
- a legal aupair visa
with full support by a JCR representative during the year.
- two weeks paid leave
ACCEPTANCE
BY JCR FOR THE AUPAIR PROGRAM
To apply you must
- be aged between 17 and
29 inclusive
- enjoy children aged
between 3 months and 13 years and have at least 200 hours of child
care experience with sibling or relatives or friends
- are a dedicated
person, willing to make a one year committment to experience
Danish culture.
- are a non smoker
- Speak reasonably
well; one of the following languages, English, German, Danish,
Swedish or Norwegian
- are energetic and
enthusiastic
- Be willing to
purchase medical insurance for the first six weeks of your
stay.
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