Au Pair

[coral hazel]

Hi, I'm planning to apply for an Au Pair as soon as I'm 18 but I'll have to go on a gap year 1 year prior because I'm graduating at 17
But I hear that it's important to not have any gap year for Au Pair. What should I do?

[sharp granite]

I'm sure there's something useful you can do. Like work or visiting a language course

[coral hazel]

Yeah I've thought about it 🤔
I would try to find a job but it's hard for highschool graduates to find work here. Not even lying. Like... Why would I need a degree to work at a convenience store?

I've researched about it and
Apparently gap year just lowers your chance in finding a family that would take you in? It just depends on the family whenever they want to accept you or not right?

[sharp granite]

Yep exactly. I can understand a family doesn't want someone who just spent 2 years or something doing absolutely nothing. That's unreasonable and makes you look "lazy". But if you spent the time traveling, working, learning something... It's not an issue

[coral hazel]

Would freelancing be okay?
I've started freelancing already so maybe I could continue to do so during my gap year?

[fluid wolf]

That's very interesting... I wouldn't have thought that mattered for aupair

I talked to people who were 26 with 3 years of college so obviously had gap or failed years and they worked au pair

[sharp granite]

In theory, visa wise, it does not matter

In theory it doesn't matter if you pick up your first job when you're 20 or when you're 30. But, practically, if the gaps are filled with absolutely nothing, you will have a hard time

[fluid wolf]

is this just a specific au pair thing?

[sharp granite]

No, it's always like that. Even if you want to start a normal job they'll ask what you did in your gap

[fluid wolf]

i came for studies and i had 5 year gap and didnt have issues w visa

[sharp granite]

As im saying in theory (visa) it's not an issue, practically it might (with ur employer)

[coral hazel]

There would be no issues with Visa but there would be an issue with finding a family who's willing to accept someone who's in a gap year
Like, I could totally get it. You have so much free time in a gap year yet you don't do anything useful with it? They wouldn't want to hire someone 'lazy'

At first i thought it would affect visa application but it turns out not. That's why I'm asking. To get a clear answer and some advices

[coral hazel]

Ahh I have another question that I just thought of
Can I apply the Visa at 17?
They say I should be at least 18 for Au Pair but I could apply it at 17. I don't know if German lets you though. I found different answers online so I'm confused rn

[sharp granite]

Nope u need to be 18

[coral hazel]

Danke!
Thanks for answering :3
Hopefully I'll be able to stay productive during my gap year

[honest dagger]

you can apply for the visa at 17 but you need some form from you parents saying they’re allowing you to go to germany

[coral hazel]

Some form? What form exactly? Like a statement letter?

[honest linden]

Have you looked up the Au-Pair visa in your country's Germany Embassy website? That'd give you the details about it besides other stuff.

[honest dagger]

yes a legalized statement letter

[coral hazel]

I have looked up to it but haven't gone into details. But thanks for the suggestion!
But besides the official website I also wanted some personal advices from people 😄

[coral hazel]

Danke Viqa!
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