HOST FAQs

Host Family Frequently Asked Questions

At Rome Abroad, we offer a reliable, affordable way to have a cultural exchange without worrying about compatibility, health issues, or competency with children. We have a rigorous interview process so that our Rome Abroad Travelers are the best of the best. We also give each of these Travelers training and resources so they can give your family an excellent experience. 

Because one of our goals is to make this type of experience affordable, the cost of these services is significantly lower than most other agencies. For exact details, check out our pricing. Families who refer another host family who also hosts are eligible for a discount. If you have any questions, feel free to email us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.  

Host families can expect Rome Abroad au pairs to interact as much as possible with their children. This can be in the form of telling stories, playing games, doing crafts, reading books, playing outside, learning vocabulary, or watching movies (rarely).​

You can expect your American young woman or young man to be kind and happy to share things about themselves, their family, and their lifestyle at home.

The standard rate for pocket money given by a host family varies from country to country. The following rates are given for a typical 30-hour commitment per week.

Italy & Spain — €70 per week

France — €90 per week

Australia — $200 AUD per week.

China — $50 (or more) per week

If you feel inclined to pay or contribute to travel expenses, we invite you to do so. However, when working with Rome Abroad, you are not required to pay for the flight.

We use our extensive experience in booking flights to help au pairs find the most cost-effective flight to his or her host family.

The younger a person starts learning a new language, the easier it is. For families who want their children to improve or learn English, we recommend our services for children aged 4 to 18 years.

You can prepare your family now by pondering some simple questions:

  • Why is it important for my children to learn about another culture?

  • What do I want from my experience in hosting an au pair?

  • How can we make our au pair feel welcome at home?

  • Do we have the space in our home and our life to host another person?

​Once you have the answers to these questions, fill out an application and get ready! We will contact you within 2 business days of your application.

  • Your family can understand and appreciate their own culture more 

  • More future opportunities in the workforce for those who speak a second language

  • Improve the English skills of your family by practicing with a native speaker

  • Give your children valuable skills (meeting new people, sharing, communicating with others)

  • People who speak a second language increase their cognitive skills, improve their ability to solve problems, increase their creativity, and improve their memory