Go To Usa As Au Pair

[JAS21]

My wifes niece is considering applying to go to the USA as an Au Pair for one year. Mainly to improve her english. She is twenty two and has a degree.

I am lumbered, as usual, so does anyone have any experience of any agency, here in Thailand, that can arrange these things. I have 'googled' but would appreciate a recommendation..............thanks.

[capKnuckle]

is the niece mexican???????????

[random]

One of my Thai staff went earlier this year, she managed to get in with a nice family near washington, both parents are lawyers and American, although chinese descent.

My ex staff has degree from Chulalonkorn, part of her brief with the new family is to teach the kids chinese and by all accounts she is happy there, I will send her an email and ask here agency details etc and if she replies I will pm you.

I had to complete references for her etc, she had to get a lot of documents from University and from what I gather getting the visa was quite painless, oh it also included telephone interviews with the family

[random]

Hi John,

I got email back from my ex staff, the agent she used was called 'Thai and American' at Ari BTS.

She said the first family did not work out and she is now much happier with a second family, she is also happy she used an agency as they helped her a lot.

[beano2274]

Most of the students I know use the work and travel programs.

However there is a 30,000 baht registration fee, then the tickets of around 30,000 baht, plus some initial spending money, so maybe ball park figure of 90,000 baht, (3000 US). In the restaurants they work for about 3 to 5 dollars an hour maybe a little bit more, this means they have to work over 1000 hours before they reach evens, then more work to get a profit.

Yes the greatest achievement is improving their English, but for the 3 months they must work over 333 hours per month or over 80 hours a week.

Au pair is a different ball game, but still has the initial costs, but the salaries are better.

[JAS21]

is the niece mexican???????????

I don't think so, my wife is Thai, so is her sister and we are talking about my wifes sisters daughter.

[Loz]

Some people don't understand that the programs are not for people to make money. They pay the for experience and make enough money to maintain themselves while their. its a learning experience not for profit.

If that is the same understanding you share then I would google for services. What you can't find on google you'll get from word of mouth by asking around. I think Toefl or IELTS is a requirement of many outfits running these deals.

[IanForbes]

is the niece mexican???????????

I don't think so, my wife is Thai, so is her sister and we are talking about my wifes sisters daughter.

Ah, cummon now, John, WE all know you're really a Mexican wetback trying to sneek across the border into the USA with your whole family. You just came to thaivisa to learn how to do it.

[thaifkrlim]

this programme is design to exploit thai workforce on the pretext of learning america, language and culture shock exchange, american couples cant afford the cost of qualified babysitters

dont get conned by the promising brochures. she will not improve much of her language skill because of the home working environment

[roamer]

this programme is design to exploit thai workforce on the pretext of learning america, language and culture shock exchange, american couples cant afford the cost of qualified babysitters

dont get conned by the promising brochures. she will not improve much of her language skill because of the home working environment

Well I know a young lady who did it, if you want a fellow Thai to teach you good English language skills she is now back in LOS.

[cdnvic]

Troll post removed

[jazzbo]

Maybe the niece should check out internships at the Thai embassy and consulates in USA:

http://www.thaiembdc.org/thaicommu/interns/default.aspx

[sirineou]

Most of the students I know use the work and travel programs.

In the restaurants they work for about 3 to 5 dollars an hour maybe a little bit more, this means they have to work over 1000 hours before they reach evens, then more work to get a profit.

Though I am not an expert on the subject, I dont believe this is correct. I Know there is a minim wage requirement that varies among the different states,in the US, the average being $ 7.50 p/h

When My wife first came to The US, she wanted to work at the local Thai restaurant, It was a good optionality for her to acclimate in to the American culture, be around Thai people, and make a little of her own money.

We live in Florida, which is a low wage state, and she was making $ 8.00 p/h.

As I said before I am not an expert on the subject, and I could be wrong, but I dont belive anyone can legally pay less then the minimum wage in the US.

[cdnvic]

The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Many states also have minimum wage laws. In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.

A minimum wage of $4.25 per hour applies to young workers under the age of 20 during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer, as long as their work does not displace other workers. After 90 consecutive days of employment or the employee reaches 20 years of age, whichever comes first, the employee must receive a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009.

Other programs that allow for payment of less than the full federal minimum wage apply to workers with disabilities, full-time students, and student-learners employed pursuant to sub-minimum wage certificates. These programs are not limited to the employment of young workers.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/minimumwage.htm

Exempted from minimum wage standards:

Domestic employees who live-in

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/flsa/screen75.asp

[sirineou]

The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Many states also have minimum wage laws. In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.

A minimum wage of $4.25 per hour applies to young workers under the age of 20 during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer, as long as their work does not displace other workers. After 90 consecutive days of employment or the employee reaches 20 years of age, whichever comes first, the employee must receive a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009.

Other programs that allow for payment of less than the full federal minimum wage apply to workers with disabilities, full-time students, and student-learners employed pursuant to sub-minimum wage certificates. These programs are not limited to the employment of young workers.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/minimumwage.htm

Exempted from minimum wage standards:

Domestic employees who live-in

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/flsa/screen75.asp

I was not aware of the exemptions

I learn something every day

Thank you

[samran]

this programme is design to exploit thai workforce on the pretext of learning america, language and culture shock exchange, american couples cant afford the cost of qualified babysitters

dont get conned by the promising brochures. she will not improve much of her language skill because of the home working environment

that is a load of crapola.

We've had two nannies go off and do the course. One studied chemistry at uni, the other child care. Both got alot out of it, including excellent English.

It is true that some people who go over get lumbered with 'difficult' families. This happened with the girls I knew, however the programme is flexible enough that you can change families if you don't like your initial job, and most end up working in places where they are extremely happy.