Location
  • China
    • Shanghai
    • Beijing
    • Hangzhou
    • Ningbo
    • Shenzhen
Length
52+ weeks
Financial Support
General grants/scholarships, Work exchange

Program Details

Timeframe
Academic Year Fall Spring Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Host Family
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
18
Age Max
30

Pricing

Price Details
You do not pay any program fee, but you will be in charge of your own flights (however, flights stipend will be offered during your stay).

Program time span: 3-12 months
You give: 30 hours of childcare&English tutoring per week
You get: 2000 RMB pocket money/month
You get: Up to 12000 RMB as ticket stipend
You get: 8-10 hours of Mandarin classes/week
You get: Monthly culture activities
You get: 1.5 days off/week
You get: Medical insurance
You get: visa application fee&renewal reimbursement
Program fee: $0
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers Meals Tour Guide Travel Insurance Visa Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

* Mandarin classes
* Culture activities
* Medical insurance
* 24/7 support
* Orientation and sightseeing tour
* Airport pick-up

Aug 07, 2023
Sep 12, 2023
74 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Due to the global pandemic these years, we temporarily paused our Wanderlust Au Pair China Program. As the Chinese border reopens, it is expected that we could resume the program in May 2023.

Wanderlust Au Pair China Program integrates educational travel, Mandarin learning, childcare and English tutoring together for overseas youngsters to experience China with an authentic touch by staying with Chinese host families.

By offering 30 hours of live-in childcare and English teaching per week, you have an opportunity to explore Chinese culture through weekly Mandarin classes, culture immersion activities held by Wanderlust and your day-to-day colorful life with your host family.

We are culture enthusiasts, we love different languages, we love the tenderness in your eyes when you see children's smile. Fundamentally, we love what we do: helping you go through an off-beat experience that could potentially change your life.

Find your second home in China!

Program fee: 0 $

Video and Photos

Impact

Ethical Impact

This volunteer program gives you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of deserving children. Additionally, you will also have the opportunity to explore one of the most modern and exciting cities in China - Shanghai. As a volunteer, you will be stationed at an orphanage that is located in a children’s hospital. Children residing in this orphanage often arrive from other orphanages in more rural areas of China to receive better medical treatment. With your commitment, love, and care you have the chance to make a difference in their recovery.

Program Highlights

  • Experience authentic Chinese culture through living with a host family!
  • Flight stipend up to 1800 USD
  • Mandarin course paid by your host family
  • Monthly culture activities
  • Scholarship up to 1300 USD for TEFL certified participants!

Current Jobs

View the latest job postings by Wanderlust Exchange.

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Program Reviews

4.81 Rating
based on 75 reviews
  • 5 rating 81.33%
  • 4 rating 18.67%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.9
  • Support 4.75
  • Fun 4.55
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 75 reviews
Default avatar
Arthur
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Au Pair Hangzhou Experience

My experience of being an Au Pair in Hangzhou was fantastic. I stayed here for 3 Months which was too short, I'd like to continue my great life here in China. The family was really nice and I quickly had a great connection with the Au Pair kid. Teaching him English and how to play tennis was an unique experience which I wouldn't have liked to miss. In my freetime I got around in the province Zhejiang which has wonderful cities like Shaoxing, Ningbo, Shanghai and of course Hangzhou with the pretty West Lake. Although there weren't many Au Pairs in my area I quickly got to know foreigners from the Chinese class and some soccer groups. My Chinese improved a lot in those 3 Months even though I was talking mostly in English to the Au Pair kid because his English was already on a high level. The family offered me to always come back to China and made me receive this unforgettable stay! I recommend this to anyone who wants to have a new life in an Asian country and wants to have an special period of life in his/her CV.

Pros
  • Luxurious living
  • Nice people, family
  • Language improvements
Cons
  • Not that many au pairs in Hangzhou
7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Desztics
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Au pair program

I had an incredible experience with the au pair agency. The support I received throughout the entire process was truly exceptional. From the moment I signed up, the staff was incredibly helpful and attentive to my needs. They guided me through the application, interview, and matching process with patience and understanding. The agency's team went above and beyond to address any concerns I had, making sure I felt completely prepared for my new adventure as an au pair. Their genuine kindness and approachability made me feel like part of a caring community. Their attention to detail really put my mind at ease and allowed me to focus on forming meaningful connections with my host family. I'm so grateful for the support I received from the agency. If you're looking for an au pair agency that truly cares about your experience, I wholeheartedly recommend them.

Pros
  • Their support was outstanding, guiding me at every step.
  • The staff's warmth and friendliness made me feel at home
  • They emphasized safety, offering resources for a secure experience.
Cons
  • Choices of host families were a bit restricted, yet they found good matches.
  • The visa application had intricate steps, but their help made it easier.
13 people found this review helpful.
Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Dear Eszti,

Your feedback truly warms our hearts, and we're grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your au pair journey. It's incredibly rewarding to hear that your experience with our agency was nothing short of exceptional.

We're thrilled to have been by your side every step of the way, from the initial sign-up to your journey as an au pair. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest level of support, and your kind words about our helpfulness and attentiveness mean a lot to us. It's wonderful to know that our guidance through the application, interview, and matching process was of value to you.

At Wanderlust Exchange, we believe that addressing concerns and ensuring your comfort is paramount. We're delighted that our efforts helped you feel well-prepared for this exciting chapter of your life. Creating a sense of community and belonging is at the core of our mission, and we're glad that our genuine kindness and approachability made you feel connected and cared for.

Your mention of our attention to detail is heartening. We understand that the little things can make a big difference, and we're pleased that this allowed you to focus on what truly matters – forming those meaningful connections with your host family and embracing the cultural exchange experience.

Your recommendation means the world to us. Knowing that you wholeheartedly endorse our agency is a testament to the dedication and passion we pour into each au pair's journey.

As you continue to create cherished memories and connections, please know that we're here to support you in any way we can. Your journey is an inspiration, and we're excited to see where it leads you.

Wishing you continued joy, growth, and unforgettable experiences as an au pair.

Warm regards,

Wanderlust Exchange

Default avatar
desztics
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Au pair program

I had an incredible experience with the au pair agency. The support I received throughout the entire process was truly exceptional. From the moment I signed up, the staff was incredibly helpful and attentive to my needs. They guided me through the application, interview, and matching process with patience and understanding. The agency's team went above and beyond to address any concerns I had, making sure I felt completely prepared for my new adventure as an au pair. Their genuine kindness and approachability made me feel like part of a caring community. One of the things that stood out the most was the emphasis on safety. The agency took extensive measures to ensure my well-being, providing comprehensive information and resources. This attention to detail really put my mind at ease and allowed me to focus on forming meaningful connections with my host family. I'm so grateful for the support I received from the agency. If you're looking for an au pair agency that truly cares about your experience, I wholeheartedly recommend them.

Pros
  • Their support was outstanding, guiding me at every step.
  • The staff's warmth and friendliness made me feel at home.
  • They emphasized safety, offering resources for a secure experience.
Cons
  • Choices of host families were a bit restricted, yet they found good matches.
8 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
samira
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

my unforgetable experience as an aupair in china

on july 2023 i got an opportunity ti be an aupair in china with wonderlust organization. i am an international student in china and i wanted to utilize my summer break and decided to be an aupair.

It is my first time being an Au pair and wonderlust organization did a great job ,I love how informative and accommodating they were to me,i appreciated them giving us orentation . It opened my eyes to what to expect and it gave me a professional view of how to conduct myself with the family. they gave me crucial information, especially about cultural differences. it helped me a lot to prepare myself mentally and gave me a little bit of a glimpse of what to expect.

Living as an au pair, I had the chance Immersing myself in Chinese culture and having the opportunity to live like the Chinese people, I feel blessed. I got to eat things I never knew were edible like bamboo shoots when I opened my eye wide enough, I saw new ways to make friends, I saw how people work hard and sacrifice for their families, I saw how the Chinese government brought people out of poverty, I got a thriving entrepreneurial spirit and a new way of appreciating the world.

the programme fullfilled my expectation and even more.

Pros
  • great service
  • chinese classes
  • accomodating host
Cons
  • none
17 people found this review helpful.
Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Dear Samira,

We were thrilled to read your review and learn about your incredible experience as an au pair with Wanderlust Exchange in China. It warms our hearts to know that your first-time au pair journey was made memorable by our organization.

It's wonderful to hear that our informative and accommodating approach resonated with you. Providing a comprehensive orientation and insights into cultural differences is essential for a successful cross-cultural experience, and we're delighted that it helped you prepare both mentally and professionally for your role within the host family.

Immersing yourself in the Chinese culture and lifestyle sounds like an enriching experience. From trying new foods to observing the strong work ethic and family values, it's evident that you've truly embraced the essence of cultural exchange. Your observations about the thriving entrepreneurial spirit and newfound appreciation for the world resonate deeply with our mission of fostering meaningful connections and understanding across borders.

Wishing you all the best for the remaining duration of your adventure and your future endeavors. Keep embracing every moment and savoring the unique experiences that await you.

Warm regards,

Wanderlust Exchange

Default avatar
Rochelle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Good company

I was excited to move to shanghai, I was paired with a good family. They gave me my own apartment(which is rare,I still live in it). The family was really shy at first because their english is not so good,but the little boy was really good at speaking nglish so he often translated between me and his mom.

We had our own lessons on Saturdays just the women, while the boys went out to play or toy shopping.We had some fun days inside, but due to the pandemic we often stay inside and play with legos and Elsa with his younger sister all day.I mostly have the whole family eating vegan during the week because I don't eat meat, but its random occasions that they will eat no meat. But they enjoy the no meat because they want to be more healthier so I was glad I could leave them with a piece of who I am. We've finally completed all of his english books before I left the family. I check on the kids often they are always sad to see me leave, they sometimes cry, so I check on them as much as I can after work.

It was nice being with this family.

What was your funniest moment?
taking the kids on the metro to go to the mall,They had never been on the train before so they were excited and scared at the same time. It was so cute.
98 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Neha
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gap year in China

My year in China was an experience I'll never forget. It was an adventure in every sense. I spent my time across three incredible cities: Shanghai, Beijing, and Chongqing. Wanderlust's staff was kind and helpful every step of the way. They provided support with almost every type of issue that arose, be it visa issues, language barriers, or culture shock. They went above and beyond, not just in a professional capacity but also in providing comfort and a listening ear when situations got tricky. Coming to China wasn't an easy decision to make, but now that I've been here for a year I can successfully say that it's been one of the most enriching ones I've made. The amount of personal growth I've seen in the past year is unparalleled. I am so grateful to Wanderlust for being a part of this journey. It was a real pleasure working with them and getting a chance to explore this awe-inspiring culture.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would walk in with a better understanding that Chinese culture is very different from Western culture. Concepts like privacy and time hold different meaning than they do back home. As I've learned in the last year, being flexible is key. Things may not always go the way you expect and you have to learn to be okay with that. Sometimes, that can work out better than you can ever imagine. Even though there will always be people to listen and help you out, being self-sufficient is a must. You have to be able to take charge of the situation. Do that and you're sure to have an enriching experience.
95 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Paulina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience

To be honest it’s very difficult to move to a different country but I felt at home with my second family, they were always nice and caring, and took care of me.

I also fell in love with Shanghai, is a cosmopolitan city and it’s very different in day and night. The good thing about Shanghai is that in winter is not as cold as other cities, but the bad thing is the weather in summer, because is very hot.

Learning Chinese is very challenging but unfortunately there aren’t a lot of people who speaks English.

What was your funniest moment?
I had 2 families, with the second one I had a blast, I say they even became a very important part in my life.
99 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Bohdana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My year in Ningbo

I always wanted to travel to China and see the culture from inside so this program was like a golden ticket to me. Of course I felt a little bit uneasy moving 7000 km away but the agency did its best to make me feel comfortable and safe which was a big help for my mental state as I faced many difficulties on the way to my host family. I can’t find the right words to describe this year. It felt like one day and eternity at the same time. I fall in love with this culture, nature, cuisine (of course) and people, especially my host sister. It’s not that I was sceptical about developing true feelings for my host kid but I was uncertain whether we would become family-like close. But we became vital parts of each others lives. This baby stole my heart. I watched her growing up and learning more about this world and there’s just something so special about knowing that I played a big role in this process and did make my impact on her life. Needless to say it wasn’t all butterflies and unicorns being an AuPair but I would have never changed a thing about this experience. It helped me to grow a lot and changed the way I saw many things in this life. Also, my hosts family introduced me to plenty of really beautiful and fascinating things here. We’ve made a lot of memories and I’ll be thankful to them and Wanderlust for this forever.

104 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Hello Joanna, Thank you for your question and interest in Wanderlust Au Pair China Program. I would like to answer your questions in three aspects: how au pairs can get ready for their trip to China; what support they will have from Wanderlust; what's to be expected of your daily life with the host family. In regards to how au pairs can get themselves prepared for the trip to China, here are some...