When asked why they choose to spend a year in the U.S. as an Aupair, typically applicants will offer one or more of the following reasons for his/her decision:

• A desire to experience a new culture
• A desire to make new friends
• An interest in improving his/her English language skills
• A genuine love of children and, in some cases, a desire to pursue a career working with children. 

D. WHO IS A "TYPICAL" HOST FAMILY?

Just as there is no one way to describe a "typical" family from Sweden France or Russia, it is difficult to characterise an American family. America is a "melting pot" of cultures, and despite stereotypes found in American television shows broadcast around the world, no two families are alike. The one characteristic that all Au Pair USA families have is that they all have children or are expecting a child.

Aupair USA families reside in one of more than 100 communities in 30 states. The largest proportion of families, 60% live in the northeastern portion of the country. These families generally live in the suburban areas surrounding the cities of Boston, New York, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. 10% of Aupair USA families live in south eastern states (Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, etc.), while 15% live in Midwest (Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, etc.).The final portion of the families, 15%, resides in Texas and on the west coast of the United States.

Most of the Host Families currently in the program are two parent families and in the vast majority of these families, both parents work outside the home. Increasingly however, it is becoming common for one parent to work from home. In a small number of families, generally ones with very young children, the mother (or in rare cases, the father has chosen to be an "at-home mom" and for go paid employment.

Single parents, male or female, also participate in the program, as do families brought together through marriage with stepchildren living in two homes.

Families have varied income levels and enjoy different lifestyles and homes. Typically Host Family homes have three to four bedrooms and are in a neighbourhood with other families in close proximity.

The average age of a host child in the program is between 4 and5 years of age and 25% of the Host Families have a child under the age of two. On average, Host Families have two or three children.

Host Families tend to remain in the program for several years with the typical family participating for three or more years (particularly during the children's pre-school years).

More than 60% of the Host Families repeat with the program year after year.