Rome Abroad

The Rome Abroad blog

Stories, guides, and honest advice from abroad

Written by our team and the au pairs living it — what it costs, what it feels like, and how to make it happen.

Latest 7 min read

Au Pair in France from Australia

Yes, Australians can become au pairs in France — but because Australia isn’t an EU member, the path looks different from the one European applicants follow. Rome Abroad places Australian au pairs…

Program Info · 7 min read

Au Pair in Italy from New Zealand

To become an au pair in Italy from New Zealand, you’ll need a host family placement, a plan for your visa or…

Program Info · 6 min read

Au Pair in France from the UK: How to Get Started

To become an au pair in France from the UK, you apply to a guided placement program that matches you with a…

Program Info · 7 min read

How to Become an Au Pair in Spain from Canada

How to Become an Au Pair in Spain from Canada. Canadians can become au pairs in Spain by joining a guided placement…

Program Info · 7 min read

Become an Au Pair in France from Canada

How Do Canadians Become Au Pairs in France? Canadians can become au pairs in France by joining a guided placement program that…

Program Info · 7 min read

What to Know Before Au Pair

Before becoming an au pair, alumni say the most important things to know are: get honest with yourself about homesickness before you…

Program Info · 7 min read

Au Pair Experiences: Rome Abroad Alumni Archive

What Are Real Au Pair Experiences Like? Real au pair experiences combine day-to-day childcare with host families, weekend travel, new friendships, and…

Italy · 8 min read

The Best Italian Cities for Au Pairs

The best Italian cities for au pairs are Rome, Milan, and Florence, along with smaller towns in Tuscany, the Veneto, and along…

Program Info · 7 min read

Gap Year Au Pair: How It Works and What It Costs

A gap year au pair program lets you spend six to twelve months living with a host family abroad, helping with childcare…

Program Info · 6 min read

The 90-Day Departure Checklist for New Au Pairs

What Should Be on Your Au Pair Departure Checklist? A solid au pair departure checklist covers four phases in the 90 days…

Program Info · 6 min read

Au Pair References Guide

Great au pair references come from people who can speak specifically to your reliability and experience with kids — think a recent…

Program Info · 8 min read

Short Term Au Pair Programs: 1-3 Months vs. 6-12

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Au Pair Programs: Which Should You Choose? Short-term au pair programs typically run 1 to 3 months and suit…

Program Info · 6 min read

Au Pair vs Study Abroad Cost: Which Is Cheaper?

Au Pair vs. Study Abroad: Cost and Experience Compared. An au pair program typically costs a few hundred dollars up front, since…

Program Info · 7 min read

How to Become an Au Pair in Australia from New Zealand

New Zealanders can become an au pair in Australia by combining the long-standing trans-Tasman travel and work rights New Zealand citizens already…

Program Info · 7 min read

Au Pair in France from New Zealand

How to Become an Au Pair in France from New Zealand New Zealanders can become au pairs in France by joining a…

Program Info · 7 min read

Au Pair in Australia from the UK

To become an au pair in Australia from the UK, you’ll need to secure a placement with a vetted host family, arrange…

Program Info · 7 min read

Au Pair in Italy from Canada: How to Get Started

How to Become an Au Pair in Italy from Canada Canadian citizens can become au pairs in Italy by joining a guided…

Program Info · 6 min read

Au Pair Abroad from Canada

Yes — Canadians can become au pairs abroad, with destinations in Italy, Spain, France, and Australia available through Rome Abroad’s guided placement…

France · 7 min read

How to Become an Au Pair in France from Singapore

For a Singaporean dreaming of living in Europe, learning French and becoming part of a local family, France offers one of the…

Australia · 7 min read

How to Become an Au Pair in Australia from Singapore: Visa and Eligibility Guide

For eligible Singapore citizens, becoming an au pair in Australia can be one of the most practical ways to spend a gap…

Program Info · 7 min read

Is Being an Au Pair Safe? An Honest Answer

Is It Safe to Au Pair Alone as a Young Woman? An Honest Answer Yes — au pairing abroad as a young…

Program Info · 6 min read

25 Questions to Ask a Host Family Before You Say Yes

The most important questions to ask a host family cover five areas: daily schedule and duties, childcare expectations, house rules and living…

Program Info · 6 min read

How to Become an Au Pair in Italy from Australia

To become an au pair in Italy from Australia, you join a guided placement program that matches you with a vetted host…

Program Info · 6 min read

Au Pair in Europe from Australia

Can Australians Become Au Pairs in Europe? Yes — Australians can absolutely become au pairs in Europe. While Europe’s most-used au pair…

Spain · 6 min read

Can Singaporeans Become Au Pairs in Spain?

Yes, a Singapore citizen may be able to become an au pair in Spain through Spain’s study-visa framework if planning on staying…

Life Abroad · 6 min read

A Rome Abroad Au Pair’s Birthday Week

 A Rome Abroad Au Pair’s Birthday Week: Beach Days, Vatican Tickets, and a Surprise Trip to Prague One of our Italy…

Program Info · 7 min read

Is an Au Pair Program Safe for Your Daughter?

Yes, a well-run au pair program can be safe for your daughter, but the safety comes from the structure behind it, not…

Program Info · 6 min read

Au Pair Agency vs DIY: Honest Pros and Cons

You’ve Found a Family Online. Now What? Maybe you’ve spent a few evenings scrolling au pair matching sites, messaging families directly, trying…

Italy · 3 min read

What the Families Taught Me

There is a kind of knowledge you can only get by sitting at someone else's table. I had traveled before I became…

Italy · 4 min read

Memorable Travel Story As An Au Pair

When Your Plans Fall Apart, Say Yes to the Day Anyway The best travel stories rarely come from the itinerary that goes…

Italy · 4 min read

How to Make a New Country Feel Like Home

There’s a quiet moment after you arrive in a new country. The bags are on the floor. The windows look out onto…

Where will your story begin?

Stop reading about it. Italy, France, Spain, or Australia — one application starts it all.

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