Patricia Brunner

Leading Au Pair Agencies pledge to Join Forces in Dutch Au Pair Association (DAPA)

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Dark blue background the text in white reads: Dutch Au Pair Agencies Establish New National Association. Below that the logo of the new association D.A.P.A: Dutch AU Pair Association blue on white with a red and blue tulip with a green stem

The Hague, Netherlands June 6th 2025 In response to recent developments surrounding Nina Care, and with the aim of safeguarding the integrity of the Dutch au pair industry, twelve of the most respected au pair agencies in the Netherlands have pledged to form the Dutch Au Pair Association (DAPA). With this initiative, the industry clearly distances itself from unregulated practices and the so-called “cowboy behavior” that undermines the true purpose of cultural exchange. The founding members of DAPA are committed to care, quality, integrity, and cross-cultural exchange. “We stand for a professional and respectful au pair program. The actions of …

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U.S. State Department Halts New Visa Appointments for Students and Exchange Visitors

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The text: "U.S. Stops Visa Appointments for F,M and J Visa Applicants " on a US flag and the word VISA like in a passport

We want to address the recent directive issued by the U.S. State Department instructing embassies worldwide to temporarily pause the scheduling of new appointments for F, M, and J visas while they work to implement new social media screening procedures. We understand how concerning this pause is — for au pairs, host families and agencies alike. It is our understanding that visa appointments that are already scheduled should proceed as normal, unless the candidate is instructed otherwise by the embassy or consulate. And from what we heard so far, already scheduled visa appointments were treated normally and no raise of …

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New Hope for EU–UK Youth Exchange?

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IAPA welcomes the announcement that Great Britain and the European Union have committed to developing a “balanced youth experience” scheme as part of a broader post-Brexit reset of relations. What Is Being Proposed? According to a draft document, the proposed agreement would create a dedicated visa route enabling young people from the UK and all 27 EU member states to: Work  Au Pair Study Volunteer Travel …in each other’s countries for a limited period, with participant numbers to be mutually agreed. As expressed in Article 13 of the official statement: “Therefore, the European Commission and the United Kingdom should work …

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IAPA 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) Recap

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Looking Back & Moving Forward: Highlights from the 2025 IAPA AGM The IAPA Annual General Meeting took place on 19 March 2025 at the Alicante Golf Hotel in Spain, during WETM-IAC. IAPA Chair Michael McHugh welcomed members, reflecting on the resilience of the au pair sector and the power of unity in times of global uncertainty. After confirming quorum and approving the 2024 minutes, the stage was set for a dynamic and future-focused session.   2024 in Review: Events, Advocacy & Community Events & Webinars Board Member Sarah Kelly highlighted a year full of engaging activities — from practical webinars …

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Department of State Reorganization Plans: Key Takeaways for International Exchange and Au Pair Organizations

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US Flag U.S. Administration News Update: U.S. Secretary od State Marco Rubio Announces Department of State Reorganization Plan

On April 22, 2025 the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced the broad outline of the Department of State‘s reorganization plan. The key points relevant to au pair organizations and international exchange programs include: – The Department of State’s reorganization will maintain the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Bureau of Public Diplomacy (PD), which currently oversee international exchange programs like the Au Pair program. – Despite the ECA remaining intact, we do not yet know whether any programs or personnel within ECA will be eliminated. – We can expect the President’s budget to propose significant …

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Welcome New Affiliate Member Global Youth Au Pair, China

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We are delighted to see our IAPA community expanding and are delighted to welcome our newest affiliate member, GlobalYouth Au Pair from China! Global Youth Aupair is a professional Chinese au pair agency, with offices in Shanghai and Chengdu, dedicated to creating meaningful cultural exchange opportunities for young people and host families. The organization facilitates high-quality placements for au pairs coming to China and is now expanding to help Chinese au pairs experience life abroad. Their mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding, language learning, and personal growth through immersive au pair experiences. Global Youth Au Pairs provides comprehensive support to …

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And the Winner Is… Isabella Foster – IAPA Au Pair of the Year 2025!

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We are thrilled to announce Isabella (Issy) Foster from the UK as the winner of the IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award 2025! Chosen from an incredible group of nominees, Issy stood out for her exceptional dedication, warmth, and the profound impact she had on her host family. The award was officially presented on March 19 at the WETM-IAC Conference in Alicante, Spain—a truly special moment made even more meaningful by the presence of both Issy’s parents and her host mother, who traveled from the United States to share in the celebration. During the ceremony, Issy’s nomination video was …

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IAPA Au Pair of the Year – Winner to Be Revealed on 19 March in Alicante!

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Once again, we have been amazed by the incredible stories and heartfelt video submissions from au pairs around the world. These young people are extraordinary in their own way—courageous, resilient, and deeply committed to their host families. Becoming an au pair is more than just an adventure abroad; it’s a journey of personal growth. These au pairs have embraced new cultures, navigated challenges with grace, and formed unbreakable bonds with their host families. They’ve been role models, older siblings, and trusted friends to the children they care for, all while gaining invaluable life experiences that will stay with them forever. …

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Message from the IAPA Chair: Supporting the Au Pair Program Post-U.S. Elections

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The White House

Dear IAPA Members   Another U.S. election has come and gone so we find ourselves heading into a transition period again. We know that the U.S. is an important market for many of our members and a popular destination for au pairs who wish to spend a year abroad. With this in mind, any changes in a presidential administration will create a degree of uncertainty. At IAPA, we are focused on the important role our members play in supporting American families as well as au pairs and fostering international exchanges. Over the years, cultural exchange programs, including the au pair …

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International Au Pair Day 2024 to be celebrated on 24 November

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IAPA warmly invites all member and non-member agencies, host families, and the global au pair community to join us in celebrating International Au Pair Day on November 24th. Now in its 6th year, this special day highlights the significance of the au pair cultural exchange program, which provides au pairs and host families with the unique chance to experience and understand each other’s lifestyle, language, and culture on a deeply personal level. International Au Pair Day is also an occasion to recognize the courage of au pairs who embark on this journey abroad, to thank them for their dedication, and …

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