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

Jan 18, 2024
Jun 30, 2025
99 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

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 🌎

Participants in this program receive an array of benefits to enhance their journey. From fully covered return flights to free Mandarin classes and engaging cultural activities, every aspect is designed to ensure a rewarding experience. Additionally, you’ll receive a stipend to cover personal expenses, making it easier to immerse yourself in the vibrant life of your host city.

This program goes beyond just a summer abroad; it’s an opportunity to grow personally and professionally. By living with a Chinese family, you’ll gain insights into the daily life and traditions of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, all while contributing to a global exchange of ideas and perspectives. This journey will equip you with the skills and understanding needed to thrive in an increasingly connected world.

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!

Related Programs

Program Reviews

4.72 Rating
based on 121 reviews
  • 5 rating 75.21%
  • 4 rating 23.14%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 1.65%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.8
  • Support 4.6
  • Fun 4.5
  • Value 4.7
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 121 reviews
Default avatar
Lungelo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Lungelo in China

I joined the Wanderlust Exchange program and spent six amazing months in Suzhou, China. From the moment I arrived it was a life changing experience. I got to live with a local family, learn about Chinese culture, and share my own.The main thing I enjoyed was shopping and going out every weekend with my host family. They really made me feel like part of the family. I also got to meet other au pairs and make new friends from around the world. I especially loved ordering food. It became my favorite hobby 😂 Because of my passion and love for the experience, Wanderlust even made me an Overseas Representative 🩷Throughout my journey we took many pictures and shared lots of stories. If you want to see what life in China was really like for me, you can check out my Instagram. I’ve posted highlights from the beginning of my trip all the way to now.Thank you Wanderlust for helping me grow, explore, and feel at home in a new country. If you’re thinking about joining, go for it. It’s an unforgettable adventure 🌏✈️

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Do as much research as you can before coming. It helps you feel more prepared. Also, book your flight tickets a few months before your departure. They are usually much cheaper if you book early. I made the mistake of booking mine too late, and when my plans changed, there was a slight delay in getting my refund.
Pros
  • ESL experience
  • Culture exchange
  • Beautiful country
Cons
  • Culture shock
  • Fat phobia
  • Colorism
5 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aleksandra
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cultural exchange in China

Being in China was an interesting and very different experience. There is so much to discover in this country! When it comes to the program it was a great opportunity to learn more of Chinese, don't worry if you don't know any Chinese yet, the teachers at my school in Bejing were very friendly and patient, I learned so much and I also made many amazing friends, especially because it is not a big school, but that makes it more family like environment. Living with Chinese family was also very different and although there were many challenges and language barrier sometimes I also had a good time and made many great memories, including traveling with my host family to other cities in China.

10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nicolas
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great family, poor agency

I was very lucky with the family, but I know other au pairs who had horribly cruel families, and the agency didn't remove those families from their program.

I'm very grateful to the agency because they made everything possible, but I have to say they weren't completely transparent. They didn't tell me that Mandarin class wasn't during the whole stay, just a percentage of the time. They also told us we would have monthly activities, and the only activity I had with the agency was a picnic with industrial crisps and Oreo (I really liked the girl who organized it, she just didn't have the financial support from the agency).

At the end of the stay, they had to send me money, and they charged me about 40$ of transfer commissions, which they should just pay themselves.

I want to clarify that the people from the agency are lovely and willing to help. Kris and Tongyu were very nice! Thanks for everything!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Duck tongue and donkey skin
Pros
  • Completely changes your view of the world
  • Good food
  • Learn a lot
Cons
  • Brutal cultural shocks
  • Horrible apps for foreigners (maps etc)
  • Agency not very supportive
9 people found this review helpful.
Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Dear Nicholas,

We appreciate the unique cultural exchange you brought to the family you are working with and the enriching experiences you've shared with the children.

Wanderlust Exchange is dedicated to immersive cultural exchange and educational travel for over a decade. We value au pair experience and is here to ensure each and every of you are in good hands.

We host online & offline cultural activities and the Mandarin school we are working with also host cultural events such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, painting fans and making dumplings. As for the Mandarin course, the course duration accounts for 70-85% of the au pair program period. This policy is listed in the Services and Subsidies to au pairs.

Thank you so much for your invaluable feedback, we will carry on our work in a more thorough and efficient manner. We appreciate your kind words on our coworkers Kris and Tongyu, who are invaluable members and part of WE Team.

Wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

Wanderlust Team

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

Life as an au pair

Being an au pair in China is a really good way to experience life there. You get to live with a Chinese family, which means you're surrounded by the culture every day. I got to travel, try a lot of new food, and learn about their customs up close. Living with a Chinese family helped me understand their lifestyle better and made the whole experience more meaningful. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that you might feel a bit alone at first—you have to figure things out on your own, like exploring your neighborhood and getting used to everything but finding other au pairs nearby makes a big difference and can turn the experience into something really fun and memorable.

What would you improve about this program?
One thing I would suggest to improve the program is to help new au pairs connect with previous ones. That way, the former au pair could share their experience and tips, which would make things easier for both the newcomer and the host family
39 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Erin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Choice I Ever Made

Choosing this agency to help me get a fresh start on life was the best choice I ever made. Not only did they stay with me every step of the way while I was preparing to leave, they also helped me set up a Chinese bank account and get a Chinese phone number within a few days or arriving.

There were a few times when I found myself in a tricky situation, and WE was always there for me to help me fix it. Thanks to this agency, I was able to see once in a lifetime views, merry some incredible people, and learn more about a people and a culture that I’ve loved since I was a child. Thank you, Wanderlust Exchange!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Something called “Birds Nest”. It’s basically made from bird spit, which I didn’t know birds could do, and a lot of Chinese people eat it for health benefits. I didn’t enjoy it, but a lot of people here eat it.
Pros
  • 24 hour communication
  • Health Insurance
  • Once in a lifetime cultural experiences
Cons
  • The agency messes up sometimes, but every agency does
  • You have to be very careful when selecting a host family
  • You can get lonely
40 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Au Pair in Beijing

Finished 3 months program in Beijing. It was the first time I've participated in the program and the overall experience was very positive! It gave me a lot of opportunities to explore the city, understand the local ways of life and experience it firsthand, try new cuisine, broaden my ESL teaching experience and most importantly learn the chinese language. Living expenses are covered, which allows us to have a comfortable time while staying in a foreign environment. Both the local families and WE are ready to support us through daily life and other difficulties. I'm continuing my program in Harbin now, absolutely recommend coming here and experiencing this on your own!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Squeezing in the overcrowded metro of Beijing was a tough challenge at first, but overtime I learned to use other methods of convenient transportation such as public shared bikes, buses, Didi, etc.
Pros
  • Exploring new cities/country
  • Opportunity to learn a new language
  • Connect with the locals
Cons
  • Can be difficult to adjust at first
  • Making friends in smaller cities could be a challenge
55 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aadi
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wanderlust Exchange Review

I started this program in October of 2024. My arrival was very smooth as I received lots of help my co-ordinator was there to collect me from the airport and everyone ensured I had what I needed. The families and the agency were all very nice and a massive help with the transition to life in China. Despite small challenges they were easy to overcome with the help of the agency. This was a truly unforgettable experience. I recommend taking the big jump and trying this experience even if afraid xx

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice for future travellers would be to prepare yourself for the different cuisine in China by doing research as you might not fully enjoy all Chinese dishes
Pros
  • Teaching Experience
  • Cultural exchange
  • New friends/family
Cons
  • Different Cuisine
  • Cultural shock
57 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Deniza
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

DenizaG

Living and working in China as part of a cultural exchange program can be an incredibly enriching and transformative experience. If you love children, this program could be perfect for you. It offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in a foreign culture while also making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. The experience is fun, rewarding, and will stay with you long after you return home.

One of the most exciting aspects of living in China is the chance to explore the country's beauty. China is a vast and diverse country, with something for everyone—breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, historical landmarks, and a rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re strolling through the bustling streets of Beijing, hiking the ancient Great Wall, or exploring tranquil tea fields in the countryside, there’s always something new to discover. The country is steeped in history and tradition, and living there gives immense opportunities

63 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...