Go Au Pair Review 2026

Contributed post.

​Having the opportunity to move to the United States and to receive the experience of living in a different country is something that so many people would love to do. However, understanding how to make this happen can seem like an impossible dream. 

There are usually many barriers to overcome when you hope to spend time living in a different country. The first of these is dealing with the visa requirements and gaining the permissions needed to enter the country and live there on a temporary basis. The next issue many people experience is paying for their trip and covering the costs related to their travel, and the money needed to support themselves while living in another country. Luckily, there are ways to overcome these barriers and make the dream of living in the United States a reality.  

Moving to the United States to work as an au pair for one or two years can provide the perfect way to experience living in America. This is made possible through organizations such as Go Au Pair. But you may be wondering what Go Au Pair does and whether it is the right program for you. This review will explain everything you need to know so that you can make an informed decision.

What is Go Au Pair?

Go Au Pair sponsors and supports people who want to work as an au pair in the United States. Rather than being a work agency, Go Au Pair is a cultural exchange program that helps families to find reliable childcare and enables au pairs to experience life in another country.

The cultural exchange program offered by Go Au Pair has been established for decades, and was one of the original program sponsors to be designated by the Department of State way back in 1989.

What Does an Au Pair Do? 

So, you now know that Go Au Pair is an organization that acts as a sponsor for the cultural exchange program that enables young people to travel to the United States and stay with a family while working as an au pair. However, you may now be wondering what an au pair actually is and what they do. 

Au pairs who successfully apply for the Go Au Pair cultural exchange program travel to the United States from other countries on a J-1 exchange visa. When they arrive in the United States, the au pair lives with their host family and receive bed and board, the opportunity to study, and a stipend in exchange for childcare.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common tasks that au pairs carry out while staying with their American host family in the United States:

• Child care for the host family.
• Transporting the children to and from school (it’s important to ensure that your driving license is valid in the host country if you’re expected to drive the children).
• Preparing meals for the children.
• Helping the children to complete their homework.
• Tidying and cleaning up after the children.  
  
  

Pros of Using Go Au Pair:

Applying to Go Au Pair can provide many pros. Here are some of the main benefits:

• Well-established au pair agency that has been established for over 30 years.
• Opportunity to live in the United States, explore, and experience the culture.
• Be sponsored by a recognized, well-established au pair program.
• Spend a year fully immersed in life in the United States to get a real-world taste of the culture there.
• Chance to improve English skills by staying in an English-speaking host household.
• Build valuable work experience by providing childcare for your host family.
• Develop life skills to benefit your future life and career, such as independence and resilience.
• Receive an insight into life with a real American family.
• Be paid while enjoying new experiences in a different country.
• Receive support while in the United States from Go Au Pair, who also have a designated office in America.
• Opportunity to study in another country. 

Cons of Using Go Au Pair:

One barrier that some people may find challenging is that Go Au Pair requires applicants to have childcare experience and references before they can put themselves forward for the program. While this could delay you getting started on your au pair journey right away, it is a fixable situation, as you can get to work on building your childcare experience straight away and then gain the references you need to apply.

Is Go Au Pair Right for You?

Go Au Pair may be the right choice for you if:

• Want to travel to the United States and experience life there.
• Have experience working in a childcare role and references.
• Are aged between 18 and 26 years. You can still apply if you will turn 27 years old during your time on the program.
• Want to be part of a program that’s recognized by the U.S. Department of State and follows its rules and regulations.
• Are looking for opportunities to build your skills and life experience.
• Want to boost your English-speaking skills.
• Hope to study in the United States.
• Want to be paid a stipend to cover your expenses, while also being part of an American household.
• Are happy to provide childcare and carry out light domestic duties while living with a host family.
• Want to experience a year or two away from home.
• Like the idea of having support available to you if you need it.
• You are a high school graduate or equivalent and have the certificate or copy of your high school diploma (or equivalent) to verify your qualifications. 

Final Thoughts

Go Au Pair helps to provide young people with the life-changing opportunity of working as an au pair in America. With help from Go Au Pair’s established cultural exchange program, it is simpler than ever to experience life in another country and to enjoy living as part of an American family, while you study, work, and learn. Go Au Pair can help you to achieve all of this and provide an experience you’ll never forget.