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

Jan 18, 2024
Mar 05, 2024
78 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

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!

Program Reviews

4.82 Rating
based on 85 reviews
  • 5 rating 82.35%
  • 4 rating 17.65%
  • 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 85 reviews
Default avatar
Katherine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great program

I want to say thank you so so much to Wanderlust for running their au pair program and making it possible for me to fulfill my dream of coming to China. More so, I want to thank my amazing host family for making it an unbelievably amazing experience and for all of the lovely times we had together. I am so thankful for their kindness and hospitality. I have had an enriching time here in China. I learned about Chinese culture and cuisine, made so many funny memories together, and had a fun time with my host kids. I would definitely recommend this program if you are interested this type of work/ exchange program!

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

Exploration

I had so much fun from exploring the aesthetic view of the host family province, to trying different Chinese meals and also having a nice time with the family. The program helped me to gain more knowledge on Chinese language. I explored the Chinese traditional dragon boat festival and how the family gathers and eat different kinds of meal on that period. During the festival I was told Chinese family bonds more at this time. It helped me to be more flexible and making new friends among my Chinese language class colleagues.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The unfamiliar meal I ate was the Chinese zhongzi, dumplings and wonton. As a picky eater I did enjoyed myself.
Pros
  • Learning Chinese language
  • Learning Chinese culture and history
  • Interacting better with kids and individuals
Cons
  • Adjusting to some certain Chinese culture
  • Adjusting to the meal
  • Getting to know the Childs better. Sometimes kids are had to relate with but the mother was always there to help.
5 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sofia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My journey in Beijing

大家好! I am Sofia and I have spent the last 6 months as an au pair in Beijing. This was one of the best experiences of my life, it helped me grow as a person, I met people from all over the world and I made very good friends. I improved my Chinese skills a lot thanks to the Chinese classes I attended and the school environment was awesome. Living with a Chinese family helped me learn a lot about Chinese culture and I experienced a lot of aspects of the Chinese culture you can only experience if you live in a Chinese environment. I would recommend this experience, because it enriched me a lot!

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

Amazing Au Pair Experience

I would say as an experience goes this is something I would never find elsewhere. Yes they’re were plenty of ups and downs so with everything but I always had help if needed. Being an au pair is different for each person and each presents it’s own issues. True it is not for everyone and this course does not leave a lot of free time but the time is spent is not just work but learning the language. It is something that I did not expect to be the highlight of me trip. Along with the people I have met of course.

8 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aseah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

"Engaging Cultures: My Teaching Adventure in Hangzhou, China"

My five-month experience with the Wanderlust Culture Home-stay English Teaching Program in Hangzhou, China, was an enriching journey of cultural exchange and personal growth. Living with a welcoming local family, I not only taught English to two enthusiastic children but also delved into the depths of Chinese culture, language, and customs.

The program, while offering flexibility in teaching, could benefit from more structured educational resources. My host family, especially Mr. Lou, provided a warm and genuine insight into Chinese daily life, making me feel like a part of their family.

Exploring Hangzhou's historical sites and natural beauty added to this immersive experience. The program is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to combine educational impact with cultural exploration in China.

What was your funniest moment?
At the dinner table with the family and kids, while sharing stories about how each other’s day went.
Pros
  • Fun and exciting
  • Learned a lot in terms of Chinese culture, lifestyle, language and cuisine
  • Earned a new family in China
Cons
  • Cultural differences
  • Difference in lifestyle
  • Language differences
20 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Vivianne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great way to experience China on a budget!

I have just finished a three month au pair programme in Shanghai and I am so glad that I went through Wanderlust Exchange. The host family I was matched with was perfect for me; the application process/paperwork was super smooth, and my recruiter (Jiali) was super kind and always available to answer my questions. Once I had arrived in Shanghai, having the agency to turn to made me feel really safe and supported.

And Shanghai as a city was an amazing place to live in. It has everything you'd expect of a big city (amazing nightlife, food, shopping...), and at the same time, there were sooo many cafés, parks, quiet small streets if you want to take it slow.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you want to live in China and study Mandarin but are on a budget, I really really recommend considering the au pair programme. Though I would say, only if you also genuinely enjoy teaching and playing with children because you will be spending a lot of time with your host children — and no matter how sweet they are, they will test your patience at times! I'd also make sure to ask about things like curfew and a rough working schedule during your interviews so you know what to expect & can choose a family that suits you.

If you have any questions feel free to message me on Instagram (@viviannewei) and I'll do my best to answer! :))
Pros
  • Free accom and Mandarin classes
  • Costs of living in China relatively low even in big cities when you don't need to pay rent, pocket money is enough to live quite comfortably
Cons
  • Taking care of children can get tiring!
26 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Patrick
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2023 4 Month Au Pair Program Beijing

I took the Au Pair program from September till end December in Beijing. I came here wanting to learn about Chinese culture and travel and it has been incredible. The agency is very helpful when you have questions or problems during your time here. I never had any problems with my family, but those who had were always able to contact them and they would help them. Besides being an Au Pair you get daily Chinese classes which has probably been the best as you get to meet a lot of people like you who do the same program or just other foreigners. Overall this has been an incredible experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Try learn as much Chinese as you can and be open to learning about the Chinese unique culture.
Pros
  • Good support from the agency if anything goes wrong
  • Very good and social chinese classes (in Beijing)
Cons
  • May not be for everyone as being an Au Pair can be demanding
25 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Adrija
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My au-pair experience in China,Shanghai

My experience as an au-pair in Shanghai has truly been one of a kind! The family, culture, food, city, friends, Mandarin classes, new lifestyle...... everything was amazing. While it took some time to get used to this new life in one of the biggest cities in the world, the experience was completely worth it. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have lived with such welcoming host family, tutor adorable kids English and be like a bigger sister to them, while also being able to learn Mandarin, explore Shanghai and meet so many amazing people here! For those who are looking for immersion in Chinese culture, working as an English educator, building meaningful connections and making precious memories - Au-pair program in China with Wanderlust Exchange might just be what you are looking for.

What was your funniest moment?
Working with children opens possibilities to hear the most bizarre and funny sentences ever. One of the funniest moments was when I was playing "would you rather?" game with my 7y.o. girl, and to the question " Would you rather know every language or could play every instrument?" she very confidently said "Every language, because when I will go to Japan I will say "Bonjour" ". It genuinely made me laugh!
Pros
  • Getting to know Chinese culture and experience it first-hand
  • Making meaningful connections with the host family and new friends
  • Learning Mandarin
Cons
  • Work with children can be more tiring than imagined
  • Inevitably being exposed to family's personal problems can be quite awkward
26 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...