Spain | Valencia Au Pair and Study
Au Pair and Study
Set in the beautiful city of Valencia, our Au Pair and Study course (sometimes referred to as “Demi Pair”) gives students the opportunity to study Spanish while working as an Au Pair with a Spanish family.
More than just a job, this a cultural exchange. Students are fully immersed in Spanish family life and culture while taking daily lessons at the language school. On the Au Pair and Study course you would be welcomed into the home of your Spanish hosts as a member of the family and in return, students assist with childcare, light housework and help the children of the house with their English.
This course is suitable for all levels of Spanish speakers from beginners to advanced.
The programme lasts from 12 weeks to a year depending on your requirements. Shorter stays during the summer months can sometimes be arranged.
The most popular stay on a UK visa is 24 weeks just under the 6 month visa. Longer stays require a visa with more requirements. Contact us for more details.
The Au Pair and Study course is a popular choice for school or college leavers before university or as a gap year option. Students must be aged between 18 and 30 years.
Recommended starting dates are September, January and April.
Location
Valencia, Spain’s third largest city, sits on the country’s Mediterranean coast. The beautiful Spanish language school is tucked away deep in the heart of the old town, just a few steps away from the city’s beautiful sights and essential services. The four storey former palace has been carefully renovated into a stunning building where modernism complements history. Inside the school, walls from the original 11th Century Arab building are visible in the classrooms and open spaces, creating an atmosphere of history and mystique.
The 28 classrooms are filled with natural light, and are equipped with air-conditioning and interactive whiteboards. If studying in a stunning location rich in history isn’t enough, students can also make the most of the relaxed, well equipped social spaces during break times. They can use the computers and wifi, enjoy the reading area with books and magazines, relax on one of the two patios or bask in the sunshine on the breathtaking roof terrace, complete with sun loungers, fruit trees and a shower to cool off.
Working hours
Au Pairs are contracted to work 20 hours per week with the children of the family plus one night babysitting. Au Pairs have two free days per week where you are not expected to work. These may be during the week or the weekend.
If you require, you will have the opportunity to take part in religious worship.
Duties
The duties expected of an Au Pair will vary depending upon the age of the child(ren) in your charge. Typically, duties involve:
- Playing with the child(ren)
- Helping with homework
- Helping the child(ren) to learn an appropriate level of English
- Taking the child(ren) to the park or beach
- Dropping off and/or picking up the child(ren) from school
- Cooking dinner for the child(ren)
- Taking the child(ren) to evening activities
- Bathing the child(ren)
- Putting the child(ren) to bed
Language course
The course comprises 20 lessons which concentrate on learning and actively using Spanish through practice-oriented tuition. Students participate in group sessions alongside other Au Pair students of a similar level. Lessons focus on improving all aspects of the language: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
There are four, 50 minute lessons per day. These take place during the morning.
Students take a written assessment before they travel and a speaking assessment on the first morning of the course. This ensures they are placed in the group most suited to their ability level. Being grouped by ability, the classes have an international flavour and a lively atmosphere.
Accommodation
Au Pairs are treated as part of the family and receive half board and lodgings as part of the package. You will be given a single room and shared use of other facilities in the home. In some cases you may have a private bathroom where this is available in the family home.
Pocket Money
You will receive €50 pocket money per week directly from the family with whom you are living.
Optional social and cultural programme
The school offers a range of activities during the week, as well as longer full day excursions at the weekends. These are available for a charge can be booked through reception during your stay. You will be introduced to the activities as part of your induction on your first day. These activities change weekly but include the following:
- City tour
- Tapas making classes
- Visit to City of Arts & Science
- Language exchange nights
- Ceramic Art Museum tour
- Beach Volleyball
- Paella cooking classes
- BBQ party
- Tapas tour
- Spanish culture classes
- City treasure hunt
- Graffiti tour
- Fallas museum trip
- City bike tour
- Yoga
- Spanish Films at the school
- Walking Tour of the Old Town
- Games evenings
Transfers
With 60 bus lines, 5 metro lines and 4 tram lines, Valencia has an excellent public transport system. Valencia’s clean and efficient metro runs straight from the airport to the city centre in only 20 minutes. We provide directions and all the details you need to use public transport. Alternatively, private transfers can be arranged for a fee on request.
Availability
Language courses
Monday–Friday all year (closed over Christmas)
Accommodation
Sunday–Saturday
School closures
| Month | Closures |
|---|---|
| March | 19th |
| April | 18th, 21st |
| May | 1st |
| October | 9th |
| December | 8th |
During these weeks the school replaces lessons with a local excursion.
Insurance
Travel and Medical Insurance is available as an optional extra with this package. For more details please see our Insurance page.
Application Process
Being an au pair abroad is an exciting opportunity but it is important to make sure you are working for the right family and have the support that you will need during your stay – both locally and in the UK. It can take a little time to plan this and get everything right so you feel excited about your stay. It is worth the effort though! There are a few steps to the procedure but Blue Stamp will assign a trip planner to help you through the process and make sure that everything is in place in good time.
Included in the package:
Contents of the package can vary by destination depending upon the language school and city but typically they include the following:
- Travel durations to suit your needs (typically upwards of 12 weeks but shorter stays are sometimes available in during the summer months)
- Enrolment at a language school for intensive language lessons at a level to reflect your ability in the subject.
- Application support – our team can advise on visas, medical, DBS etc.
- Matching to a suitable and vetted family
- Half board accommodation
- Allowance of €50 per week from your family
- Optional cultural & social programme
- Detailed pre-departure information pack
- 24/7 Emergency support from UK office
- Transfers on arrival and departure
- Programme certificate
- Travel and medical insurance (supplements may apply).
