Finding student accommodation can be a real headache! 🥴 If you’ve ever tried it, you’ll know what I mean. If you’ve never looked for accommodation before as a student, brace yourself. Depending on the city you want to live in, rent will cost you at least €400 and for food you’ll need at least €200 a month. 😖

When you’re an Au Pair you don’t need to find a guarantor to rent your apartment (your parents will be happy) and you don’t need to do the shopping (your host family will take care of that, but a helping hand will always be appreciated). And yes, the mega-plan is that you’ll be fed by the family, and the family will also provide you with transport (a transport card or car will be made available).

How can I study and be an au pair?

1. Choosing the right course

To study and be an au pair at the same time, you need to choose a course that allows you to be free at times when the family needs you. 🤔

Distance learning courses are flexible and allow you to organize yourself at your own pace, so they’ll be perfect for this. We recommend giving preference to this type of training: online training. 💻

We often don’t know the course timetable before enrolling, so it’s not easy to choose the course that’s right for you to study and be an au pair at the same time. In this case call the university or establishment and explain your project to them, they’ll be able to help you and answer your questions. 📞 Also, if you know any students who are taking this course, ask them about the pace of classes and personal workload. It’s important to have a clear idea of the feasibility of your project before you take the plunge, otherwise you could find yourself in a difficult situation 😉

2. Check diary compatibility

The family needs the au pair’s help most often from the time the child leaves school (from 4 or 4:30 p.m. depending on the school) until the parents return from work (between 7 and 8 p.m.), also on Wednesdays when there’s no school, and in the morning (between 7 and 8:30/9 a.m.) before school. But the schedule depends on each family and the parents’ jobs. Some families need more time at weekends (restaurant owners or hoteliers, for example), and the au pair may have more time available during the week. Or some families will mainly ask for baby-sitting. It’s all possible. 🤷‍♀️

The most important thing to remember is to be free in the late afternoon (from 5pm) and on Wednesdays, which is the case for most families. 👍🏻

3. Inform the host family

Wanting to be an au pair and study at the same time is a courageous project, and it’s important to inform your family. It shows willpower and courage, which are sought-after and valuable qualities. 💪 Some families may see this choice as an asset. When registering on the Butrfly website, in the registration form answer the question “Are you available 100% of the time?” with “No”. This way, the family who comes into contact with you will know that you’re studying at the same time. A tip: in the section of your motivations for being an au pair, write that you are a student. 😊

During the interview with the family it’s important to be reassuring about your ability to manage everything (classes, exams) while remaining involved with the children on a daily basis, as it takes energy to look after little bits. 👶

4. Getting organized

Being an au pair and studying at the same time calls for good organization. You need to clearly define time slots for looking after the children, studying, attending classes and having fun. Punctuality is one of the most important qualities of an au pair, and for that you need to be organized. So don’t forget to communicate as much as possible with your host family about exam periods and deadlines for assignments, to see to what extent the family can lighten the schedule during these periods. 👩‍🎓

5. Prepare your project and take your time

To make this project a success, it’s important to prepare for it. Find out all you can about the course you’ve chosen, preferably an online course that will enable you to organize your schedule. 📖

In your diary plan time for yourself: playing sport, going out, meeting friends or other au pairs. For a good balance, it’s essential to devote time to blowing off steam and taking your mind off things. 💆‍♀️