Matching with Chinese Host Families
At Masons Au Pair, we take the host family matching process seriously to ensure the best possible experience for both you and your future host family in China. We carefully match each au pair with a Chinese host family based on your personality, lifestyle, values, language preferences, and expectations. This tailored approach helps create a strong foundation for trust, comfort, and meaningful cultural exchange.
From the moment you submit your application, our team is here to guide you through every step. We provide full onboarding support, including help with your documents, program preparation, and visa application. Whether you’re asking your first questions or getting ready to board your flight, we ensure you feel supported, informed, and confident.
You’ll arrive in China with everything prepared: your program documentation, your host family placement, and your student visa process all taken care of. This way, you can focus on what really matters — living, learning, and growing through your au pair in China experience.
Accommodation & Full Support in China
As an au pair in China, you’ll live with a carefully selected host family who welcomes you into their home as a true family member. You’ll have your own private room, enjoy full board (three meals a day), and experience daily life as part of a Chinese household — a unique opportunity to discover the culture from the inside out.
Beyond accommodation, we provide continuous support throughout your stay. Our local team in Chengdu is available at all times to assist you with any questions, cultural adjustments, or unexpected issues that may arise. From helping you navigate life in a new country to checking in regularly, we’re here to make sure you feel safe, supported, and fully integrated.
This combination of secure housing, cultural immersion, and reliable local support ensures that you can focus on what matters most: enjoying your experience, building meaningful relationships, and growing personally and professionally.
Accommodation & Daily Support
As an au pair in China, you’ll live with a carefully selected host family who welcomes you into their home as a true family member. You’ll have your own private room, enjoy full board (three meals a day), and experience daily life as part of a Chinese household — a unique opportunity to discover the culture from the inside out.
Beyond accommodation, we provide continuous support throughout your stay. Our local team in Chengdu is available at all times to assist you with any questions, cultural adjustments, or unexpected issues that may arise. From helping you navigate life in a new country to checking in regularly, we’re here to make sure you feel safe, supported, and fully integrated.
This combination of secure housing, cultural immersion, and reliable local support ensures that you can focus on what matters most: enjoying your experience, building meaningful relationships, and growing personally and professionally.
Au Pair English Tutoring – Daily Childcare Role
Communication Skills
Speak confidently with children and host families in daily life.
Childcare Experience
Support young learners through play and tutoring.
Time Management
Balance tutoring, cultural activities, and personal time.
Teaching Basics
Use games and repetition to teach English naturally.
Cultural Adaptability
Learn to live, work, and grow in a completely new environment.
Cultural Immersion Activities in China
As part of your au pair in China journey, we offer a wide range of cultural immersion experiences designed to help you explore everyday life in China, connect with fellow au pairs, and fully engage with local traditions. Every month, we organize unique activities that bring you closer to Chinese culture — from visiting panda research centers in Chengdu and discovering local temples to participating in hands-on workshops like dumpling making, traditional painting, Chinese calligraphy, tai chi, and paper cutting.
These events are not just fun — they are a key part of your language exchange and cultural adaptation. You’ll get the chance to practice your Mandarin in real-life situations, interact with locals, and share your own culture with others. It’s a great way to build friendships, expand your worldview, and create unforgettable memories during your stay.
Whether you’re attending a Chinese festival, learning local customs, or simply exploring the city with your host family and au pair community, our goal is to help you feel part of something bigger: a true global exchange experience in China.
Cultural Immersion Activities in China
As part of your au pair in China journey, we offer a wide range of cultural immersion experiences designed to help you explore everyday life in China, connect with fellow au pairs, and fully engage with local traditions. Every month, we organize unique activities that bring you closer to Chinese culture — from visiting panda research centers in Chengdu and discovering local temples to participating in hands-on workshops like dumpling making, traditional painting, Chinese calligraphy, tai chi, and paper cutting.
These events are not just fun — they are a key part of your language exchange and cultural adaptation. You’ll get the chance to practice your Mandarin in real-life situations, interact with locals, and share your own culture with others. It’s a great way to build friendships, expand your worldview, and create unforgettable memories during your stay.
Whether you’re attending a Chinese festival, learning local customs, or simply exploring the city with your host family and au pair community, our goal is to help you feel part of something bigger: a true global exchange experience in China.
Learn Mandarin in Chengdu with Local School
As an au pair in China, you’ll have the opportunity to learn Mandarin in a real-life setting — not just in the classroom, but through everyday cultural immersion. Thanks to our partnership with XMandarin School, a trusted language school based in Chengdu, we provide all au pairs with access to Chinese language classes tailored to their level, whether you’re an absolute beginner or already have some knowledge of the language.
The courses are taught by experienced native teachers who use interactive methods to help you develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. You’ll attend regular classes each week, combining grammar and vocabulary with fun cultural topics to support your daily life with your host family.
This approach allows you to make fast progress and gain real-world Mandarin proficiency while living in China. By practicing daily — in your host home, during cultural events, and in your local neighborhood — you’ll naturally improve your fluency, boost your confidence, and gain a deeper understanding of Chinese language and culture.
OUR AU PAIR REVIEWS
FAQ
What is an au pair?
An au pair is a young person, usually between 18 and 30 years old, who lives with a host family abroad in exchange for providing childcare and language support. The term “au pair” comes from French and means “on equal terms,” highlighting the cultural exchange aspect of the experience.
As an au pair, you live with your host family, receive free accommodation, meals (full board), and a small allowance in exchange for helping with childcare tasks such as playing with children, teaching them your native language (usually English), helping with homework, and occasionally light house duties.
Being an au pair is not a job — it’s a cultural exchange program that allows you to immerse yourself in another culture, improve your language skills, and build lifelong connections while gaining valuable soft skills like responsibility, communication, and adaptability.
In our Au Pair in China program, you’ll live with a local Chinese host family, attend Mandarin language classes, and explore Chinese culture through daily life and organized events. It’s an ideal opportunity for those who want to travel, learn, and grow abroad in a safe, supported environment.
Do I need a visa to become an au pair in China?
Yes, you need a valid visa to become an au pair in China. Most au pairs enter the country on a student visa (X2 visa), which is the most appropriate legal option for participating in a cultural exchange and language-learning program.
The X2 visa allows you to stay in China for up to 180 days and is specifically designed for short-term study programs — which aligns perfectly with our au pair in China program, since you’ll also be enrolled in Mandarin language classes during your stay. This makes the experience legal, structured, and compliant with Chinese immigration regulations.
At Masons Au Pair, we assist you every step of the way with the visa application process. This includes preparing the necessary documentation, helping you enroll in an accredited language school in Chengdu, and submitting your application to the appropriate Chinese consulate or visa center in your country.
Our team ensures that everything is done correctly and efficiently so you can focus on preparing for your journey. With our support, you can start your au pair experience in China knowing that your visa status is safe, legal, and fully approved.
👉 To learn more about how to get your Chinese visa as an au pair, check out our full guide here.
How much does an au pair get paid?
Although au pairs do not get a salary in the form of a conventional employee’s pay, they do get a complete room and board, meals, and a stipend or a monthly allowance known as “pocket money”—typically between 1,500 to 2,000 RMB a month in China. At Masons Au Pair, we guarantee your hosting family satisfies all the program standards for providing a private room, three meals a day, and frequent cultural activities.
Apart from that, we also provide Mandarin classes, visa assistance, and 24/7 support. Although the comprehensive cultural exposure, language pick-up, and self-improvement scope are the real values.
Is living with a host family awkward?
It’s completely normal to wonder if living with a host family will feel awkward — especially when you’re stepping into a new country, culture, and home. But while the first few days may feel unfamiliar, most international students, au pairs, or participants in an exchange program quickly realize that this temporary discomfort is just part of the cultural adaptation process.
At Masons Au Pair, we carefully match each participant with vetted host families who are warm, experienced, and genuinely excited to welcome a foreign exchange student into their lives. These families go through a complete background check, orientation, and interviews to ensure a safe and welcoming experience. From day one, you’re treated like a family member, not just a guest. You’ll share meals per day, have your own private bedroom, and participate in everyday routines — which quickly helps break the ice.
Yes, there may be cultural differences — from meal times and house rules to parenting styles and communication. But this is exactly what makes the homestay program such a powerful intercultural exchange. You’ll learn to adapt, communicate respectfully, and develop a deeper understanding of life in a foreign country. In return, your host parents and host siblings will also get to know your culture, language, and traditions. It’s a reciprocal experience that fosters real connection, empathy, and global awareness.
Most exchange students report that the initial awkwardness fades within the first week. Daily conversations, language learning, shared chores, and laughter over meals help turn your placement into a home away from home. Many au pairs even stay in touch with their host families long after their academic year, gap year, or youth exchange ends — some even visit again in the future!
So yes — living with a host family might feel awkward for the first few days. But give it time, and you’ll likely find it becomes one of the most rewarding, enriching, and life-changing aspects of your entire international exchange program.
Why do people stay with host families?
Staying with a host family is one of the most enriching aspects of any cultural exchange program, especially for international students, au pairs, or participants in a study abroad or student exchange program. It offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in daily life, language, and local customs, while receiving room and board, emotional support, and a true sense of belonging in your host country.
Many foreign exchange students and international au pairs choose homestays because they want more than just accommodation — they want to become part of a family abroad. This experience creates deep cross-cultural connections, improves language proficiency, and provides a strong support system. Living with a screened and vetted host family means you’re not just a visitor; you’re treated like a member of the family, sharing meals, traditions, and everyday life.
In programs like Masons Au Pair, participants are matched with host parents who are carefully selected through a thorough application process, including criminal background checks and interviews. These families provide a private bedroom, meals per day, and participate in intercultural activities. It’s not uncommon for au pairs and exchange students to form lifelong friendships with their host families, even returning for future visits or maintaining long-distance relationships years after their academic year or gap year abroad.
Living in a homestay also enhances your language learning experience. You’ll practice your English or Mandarin skills daily, gain insight into local parenting styles, help with childcare or household chores, and be exposed to cultural differences in a safe, welcoming environment. Whether you’re studying abroad, working as a caregiver, or joining a student exchange, the homestay program fosters real-life learning that simply can’t be taught in a classroom.
In short, people stay with host families because it transforms their time abroad from a trip into a life-changing experience. It’s the heart of what makes international exchange programs truly meaningful — connection, cultural understanding, and becoming part of something bigger than yourself.
What are au pairs not allowed to do?
Au pairs are not domestic workers, full-time nannies, or household staff. Instead, they are young individuals participating in a structured cultural exchange program, such as Masons Au Pair, designed to provide international experience, language immersion, and cross-cultural learning through homestay placements with a host family in a foreign country.
In China, au pairs live with carefully selected host parents and act more like an extended family member than an employee. Their role is centered around light childcare and language exchange, not housekeeping or full-time work. Tasks typically include:
Practicing English speaking with the host child
Assisting with homework and language learning
Playing educational games and organizing after-school activities
Helping during bedtime routines or meal preparation for the child only
However, an au pair is not allowed to:
Perform heavy household chores like deep cleaning, laundry for the entire family, or yard work
Cook full meals for the entire family on a daily basis
Take on a full-time babysitting job or any paid work outside the host family
Start their own business or accept other forms of employment (as per visa and residence permit laws in China)
This distinction is crucial for families and international students joining the student exchange program. The goal of being an au pair is intercultural exchange, not employment. Au pairs receive room and board, a private bedroom, pocket money, and access to language courses or Mandarin classes through our partner language school, but they are not hired as professional nannies or domestic staff.
By maintaining this balance, the au pair experience remains a mutual exchange that enriches both the host family and the student — offering a rewarding, life-changing opportunity to live abroad, gain cultural fluency, and build lifelong friendships through a carefully managed international student exchange.
What will my responsibilities be as an au pair in China?
As an au pair in China, your main responsibility is to support the host family’s children in learning English through everyday interaction and activities. This includes speaking English during meals and playtime, reading books, helping with homework, engaging in creative games, and encouraging English conversation in a natural, fun environment.
You’ll also assist with light childcare duties, depending on the family’s routine. These may include helping the children get ready for school, supervising playdates, preparing simple meals or snacks, or assisting with bedtime routines — always within a safe and supportive framework. You are not expected to act as a full-time nanny or housekeeper; your role remains focused on educational and cultural exchange.
Your presence as an English-speaking role model helps the children develop language skills, curiosity, and confidence. At the same time, you gain practical experience in teaching, childcare, and intercultural communication — all while living in a welcoming home and discovering Chinese daily life from the inside.