Well, it is getting close to that time of year - school terms begin soon!  Your newly arrived au pair is probably looking at colleges or universities close by and choosing her course for the fall semester, 2010. 

Au pairs must take 6 college credits in order to complete their requirements for the cultural exchange program.  One incentive the agencies offer to the au pairs is a "bonus" check at the end of the year (and if they finish 6 credits). 

New host parents often become confused when they first sign up with an au pair agency - they think the au pairs must be admitted to a college and they take college courses and get matriculated credits.  Not so.  All au pairs are on the audit program - they pay a small fee to sit in the class and they usually get a pass or fail grade.  Some colleges give auditing students a real grade (A, B, C, etc.)  Au pairs may also take ESL courses instead of academic classes - 40 hours of ESL usually equals a 3 credit class. 

So, if you are looking for classes with your au pair, go right to the audit section of the catalog or website.  Typically colleges will not allow au pairs (or any person who wants to audit a class) to sign up until the class reaches a certain number of matriculating students - of course college students are given first shot at any college course!

Louise Baker, a blogger who writes about college life in the United States, wrote us an article just for au pairs.  She looks at 5 Top Colleges in the East that are near populated cities and suburbs - schools that au pairs can easily drive to. 

If you are looking for audit courses and you are on the East coast, check out her article, Top 5 Colleges that Offer Audit Programs for Au Pairs. 

Thanks Louise for the helpful article!

Edina