Wanderlust Cultural Homestay Tutoring (Au Pair in China) Program

Name: Wanderlust Cultural Homestay Tutoring (Au Pair in China) Program
Brand: Wanderlust Exchange
SKU: 100168
Rating: 4.73 (118 reviews)

Read 118 reviews

4.73 Rating

Leave a Review

Location

China
- Shanghai
- Beijing
- Hangzhou
- Ningbo
- Shenzhen

Length

52+ weeks

Program Tags

Au Pair Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Jobs Language Immersion Study Abroad Teach Abroad Work Exchanges

General grants/scholarships, Work study, Work exchange

View Other Details

Program Details

Timeframe

Academic Year Fall Spring Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Host Family

Primary Language

English

Age Min.

Age Max

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

Last Updated: Jan 18, 2024

Last Reviewed: Apr 14, 2025

Wish List

96 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 $

Request Info

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

Ethical 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.

Learn More

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

4.73 Rating

based on 118 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Gap Year

5 rating 76.27%
4 rating 22.03%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 1.69%
1 rating 0%

Housing 4.85
Support 4.65
Fun 4.5
Value 4.7
Safety 4.9

Good for Students, Solo Travelers, Adventure travelers

Showing 9 - 16 of 118 reviews

Being an au pair in China was an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the chance to live with a local family, help a 14-year-old with her English, and fully immerse myself in Chinese culture. Although it wasn’t always easy, especially when adapting to new food and cultural differences, these challenges helped me grow both personally and linguistically. I improved my language skills, learned patience, and developed adaptability. I highly recommend this program for anyone seeking personal growth and a deep cultural exchange.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice to future travelers on this program is to be open-minded and adaptable. Living with a host family in a different country can be challenging at times, but it’s a great opportunity for personal growth and cultural immersion. Make an effort to learn the local language and embrace the differences in daily life. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek help when you need it. Enjoy the experience and make the most of every moment!

Pros

Full cultural immersion in a local family environment.
Improved language skills and better understanding of the local culture.
Personal growth through handling responsibilities and adapting to new challenges.

Cons

Difficulty adjusting to the local food at first, which affected my skin. (Too much oil in Chinese food)
Cultural differences can sometimes be challenging to navigate.
Homesickness and missing family or familiar surroundings.

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Dear Tanyra,

Thank you for sharing your positive experience as an au pair in China! We’re so glad to hear that your time with a local family allowed you to fully immerse yourself in Chinese culture and help your host sibling with their English.

It’s inspiring to see how you embraced the challenges of adapting to a new environment and turned them into opportunities for personal and linguistic growth.

Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope your story encourages others to embark on their own journey of cultural exchange and self-discovery. Thank you again for being part of our program, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

(What a great smile on your face- this is what drives us moving forward and achieve more within our effort❤️）

Warmly,
WE Team

By Wanderlust Exchange on October 12, 2024

If you want to be an aupair in China, just avoid this agency for your security.

The experience to be an aupair was at first a nightmare... I was mistreated physically, and mentally by my first host family. When i informed the agency, they clearly said it was normal for them and they will not change anything. Let me pay everything by myself whereas i win only 2000rmb per month?

Hopefully some girls who was fired, succeeded to help me. I change my family but it was clearly not thanks to the agency.

They prefer defend horrible host family to get their money, and don't care about their aupair rights.

Whereas we are in a new country that we don't even know. We are very young some are only 18.

So many story about aupairs sleeping outside because the agency don't know how to settle a rematch, or just let them being kick out from their family.

Some aupairs just letting by themselves alone to go in an another city by train ? everything is in chinese, its really difficult for aupairs just arrived.

If you complain about something they will make a pressure on you and try to don't give you the stipend money, even if you finish your contract :)

.... So many stories i am not even able to tell everything just run away.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

i ate some snake.

Pros

discovering china (when you have a good family who don't make you overwork)
the food (when your family allows you to eat)
my friends

Cons

the incapacity of the agency
no assistance from the agency
no help from the agency

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

We are truly saddened to receive an overall score that reflects your dissatisfaction with our agency. While we strive to provide the best possible experience for both au pairs and host families, we acknowledge that not every situation is perfect, and our processes may have room for improvement.

We genuinely appreciate that you took the time to share how you felt during your time with the first host family, and we are equally glad to know that through our communication, you were able to bond well with your second host family. Your ability to find a better experience is something we are pleased about, even though the journey started off in a difficult way.

We welcome constructive feedback, and while the way it was presented feels disheartening, we respect your right to express your concerns. We always aim to learn and grow from the experiences shared by our au pairs, and your feedback will help us reassess and improve our processes to better support future participants.

By Wanderlust Exchange on October 12, 2024

I've only been here for two months, but I can say that I've been too many places in two months, both with my host family and by myself. It was a dream for me to be in China since I was a child and this program was an incentive for me to come to China and discover China. Thank you very much and I suggest everyone who likes China to apply for this program because this is a good way to discover China.I also want to talk about the Chinese teacher, very kind, I can say that she was not just a teacher for me, but also a friend. It was also interesting for me that people were very kind on the street, when I was walking they made comments to me and said that I am very beautiful and also that my Chinese speaking is very good.I don't think this was a funny moment but at the same time we were laughing,but there were very interesting and beautiful moments when I was walking on the street, everyone told me that my nose and eyes were big and that I was very beautiful, and I was happy with every word. The program was very interesting on my free days and by myself I visited interesting places together with the host family, I discovered Beijing, which aroused great and beautiful interest in me and my love for China grew even more. Thanks to this program, I came to China, which was my dream. And I think I will try to come to China again with this program in the future

Pros

kind and interesting people
delicious food
interesting and historical places

Cons

mosquito
extremely hot weather
hot water everywhere

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Hello Haykuhi,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We are thrilled to hear that your two months in China have been so enriching and fulfilling. It’s wonderful to know that this program helped you realize your childhood dream of discovering China, and that you’ve had the opportunity to explore so many places with your host family and on your own.

We’re especially happy to hear about your positive experiences with your Chinese teacher—having someone who feels like both a teacher and a friend can make such a difference!

Your story about the kind comments from people on the street is heartwarming. It's great to know you’ve felt welcomed and appreciated, and that it added to the beauty of your time in China.

We’re delighted that this program has deepened your love for China, and we look forward to hopefully welcoming you back again in the future. Thank you for recommending us, and we wish you even more exciting adventures during your stay!

By Wanderlust Exchange on October 12, 2024

Wanderlust has been super helpful along the whole way of my program! They always reply to messages super fast! Definitely a great experience I think anyone would enjoy! I got to see so many amazing sights and try so many amazing foods. Definitely an experience I will never forget! I think one of my favorite parts of the program is getting to truly bond with the kids and have a family like relationship with them. I would recommend this program to anyone who has ever been curious as to what Chinese culture is all about.

What was your funniest moment?

I think all the times I got to see cultural sights with my host family. For example I got to see West Lake and Lingyin temples which are both beautiful!

Pros

Traveling and cultural experience

Cons

Work hours sometimes are a lot

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Dear Ashlyn,

Thank you for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience and that our team was able to assist you promptly throughout your journey.

It’s wonderful that you got to explore so many amazing sights and try delicious food, but even more special to hear about the strong bond you formed with the kids and the family-like connection you experienced.

Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re so happy this program helped you discover and connect with Chinese culture. We hope your memories from this adventure stay with you for a lifetime, and we’d love to welcome you back anytime!

We truly appreciate your feedback to us in making our work better as well.

Sincerely,
WE Team

By Wanderlust Exchange on October 12, 2024

My overall personal experience with the au pair program has been nothing short of amazing! The company did well in getting me in contact with families, choosing a family, figuring out how to get my visa, and setting up my stay with the necessary items and information needed to be successful. Any time I needed help, the company was right there to do so every step of the way. Thankfully, I was lucky to get a family I work extremely well with, so everything has been nothing short of fun! I would do this again in the future for sure.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

For sure the most nerve wracking moment had to be traveling around the city by myself. I originally come from a very small town in the states, so I’ve never had to use or rely on public transportation to get around, and my anxiety disorders certainly didn’t help. I was extremely nervous about getting lost, and the first time I took the metro train, I did get lost, and lost my phone signal while I was at it, so I had to rely completely on myself and the train map to figure out how to get to my destination. Thankfully, after taking a minute to breath and calm myself down, I was able to figure it out and make it safely!

Pros

Great orientation to introduce the city to you
Pleasant and helpful staff
Diverse choices in families

Cons

Personally, they could choose a better mandarin school to partner with. The teachers English wasn’t bad, but was hard to understand at times in a learning environment and there were a lot of questions they couldn’t answer because of the language barrier.
The company does not check in on you or the family often throughout your stay. Though it was fine for me personally, many of my au pair friends I made described similar issues of not working well with their families, but not being able to speak up.
Some immediate and third party staff were odd. One staff member complained about the company being greedy and how she doesn’t like certain co-workers. A hired language teacher tried to get money out of a friend. The staff should be checked on more as well

Me (green shirt), my au pair friends, and our coordinator!

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience!

We’re thrilled to hear that your time as an au pair has been so positive and that our team was able to support you throughout the process, from family matching to visa assistance and beyond. It’s fantastic to know that you’ve found a great match with your host family and that your time together has been so fun and rewarding!

We’re so grateful for your kind words, and it’s exciting to hear that you’d consider joining us again in the future. We look forward to welcoming you back whenever you’re ready for another adventure!

By Wanderlust Exchange on October 12, 2024

My experience with wanderlust has been an overall positive one. Communication is very efficient and they are reachable at all hours of the day, which was very reassuring.
I never had any issues with my host family but I felt confident they would respond quickly if I did.
The main communication I had with them was before I arrived in china - arranging the family. And as I was about to leave - arranging the stipend.
The school they arranged was very good, I only wished I received more information before I arrived. I was only told the location and the schedule a week into living in china.
Again my experience was positive but this was down to my host family being so accommodating. I would defiantly recommend taking time to find the right family for your lifestyle.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

This type of job takes a lot of energy, confidence and discipline. It is fun but there can be some difficult situations.
Make sure to set boundaries with the family and again chose a family that suits your lifestyle.

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Hello Zara,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We’re glad to hear that overall, your time with Wanderlust was positive, and that our communication provided reassurance and support throughout your journey. It’s great to know that your host family was such a good match and that the school arrangements worked out well for you.

We appreciate your feedback about receiving more detailed information before your arrival, and we’ll definitely work on improving that aspect to ensure future participants feel fully prepared. Your advice about taking the time to find the right family is so important, and we’re grateful for your recommendation!

Thank you again for being part of our program, and we wish you all the best in your future adventures!

WE Team

By Wanderlust Exchange on October 12, 2024

Wanderlust Exchange's au pair program was not an easy experience, but the most difficult part has to be going back to my home country! It has been so incredible going to China for the first time, making so many new friends, and learning so many new things. It's not easy learning to live together with a host family and, with limited experience like I had, learning to teach children. Ultimately, though, my time with the program has been truly invaluable, and all I can think about is when I'll be able to go back again. The incredible people at Wanderlust Exchange also made me feel supported the entire time I was there. In particular, when I was facing some health issues, I was so grateful to the team that stayed up late to assist me in arranging a visit to the doctor. This program was so fun, so safe, and really helped me grow and improve so many skills.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Cicadas! I'm very familiar with the sound of them in the summer, but not so much with the sight of them on my plate!

Pros

Safe
Cost-effective
Resume building

Cons

Challenging work
Difficult to practice target language
Demands strong social and conflict resolution skills

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Dear Pascal,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We’re truly touched to hear that your time in China was so impactful, and it’s heartwarming to know that going home was the hardest part of the journey! It’s wonderful that you made new friends, learned so much, and experienced such personal growth during your time with us.

We understand that adjusting to life with a host family and teaching children can be challenging, but we’re thrilled to hear that you felt supported every step of the way. It’s especially rewarding to know that our team was able to assist you during your health concerns and make sure you felt safe and cared for.

We’re so grateful to have been part of your journey, and we look forward to welcoming you back to China in the future! Wishing you all the best in your next adventure.

WE Team

By Wanderlust Exchange on October 12, 2024

Hello, I'm Silvia. I did the Au Pair program with Wanderlust in Shanghai for 3 months. I recommend this program for college or university students as it's a good way to experience and learn about a new country, language and culture. The company is also extremely helpful when you need something! This is my second time doing an Au Pair program here in China and I really enjoy visiting. As a college student who enjoys traveling and learning languages and cultures, I think this is an experience that you'll remember.

Thank you,

Silvia,

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Dear Silvia,

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re happy to hear that you had a positive time during your three months in Shanghai as part of our Au Pair program.

Your recommendation for college and university students is greatly appreciated, as we believe this opportunity truly enriches cultural understanding and language skills.

It’s wonderful to know that our team was helpful and that you enjoyed your time in China enough to return for a second experience! Your passion for traveling, learning languages, and immersing yourself in new cultures is inspiring.

Thank you for being a part of our program, and we hope your future travels bring even more amazing experiences!

WE Team

By Wanderlust Exchange on October 12, 2024

Questions & Answers

what should i expect in the first month or so after moving to China?

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...

By Wanderlust Exchange on March 26, 2018

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I already knew that I want to travel around after finishing school and learn more about different countries. I also love to work with children and teach them. China has always been a country that I am really interested in. So becoming an Au Pair in China was the best option for me. I can work with children and experience the Chinese life.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The Agency really helped me with everything. Before I came here I applied for the visa and filled out a lot of forms but I could always text the company and they always helped me. So even when I needed to organize something on my own they helped me a lot. If I had questions I could always text them and they would answer me very fast. So the Agency helped me with everything and because of that I didn’t have any problems in China.

View Entire Interview

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

You need to be very open minded. China is a different country with a different culture. If you come here and start to live with a Chinese family it’s very different from what you are used to. So try to be open minded for everything. Don’t be afraid to try new things. If you do that you will adapt very fast to the Chinese life.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

It depends on your host family. But normally you will have 1 1/2 days off in the week and work for 7 hours a day. If the children go to school you will have more freetime. The families want you to teach the children English. So you will read a Lot of English books with them and talk a lot of English with them. In the freetime you can go out with friends. On the weekends the families go out very often and you can see a lot of things of the city.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was that I don’t like it and that I can’t adapt to the Chinese life. I was afraid that I don’t get along with my hostfamily. In the end everything was just a fear. My family is super nice and could adapt very fast to the Chinese life. I really love it in China and I learned a lot of new things through this experience. This experience really helped me to grow. You can overcome your fears if you just try out everything and don’t be afraid of something new.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Lilian Liu

Program

Wanderlust Cultural Homestay Tutoring (Au Pair in China) Program

Job Title

Project Coordinator

Lilian was born and raised in Shanghai, then studied in the UK and Australia. She moved to Sydney for work and decided to come back to Shanghai in 2018.

She started a small art classroom in Shanghai in August 2018, and because of her passion for international cultural exchange, she joined Wanderlust Exchange as a part-time project coordinator and starting to help running the company's Au Pair program in China.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My best travel memory would be to the small town in Germany named Regensburg. When we got there, it was their festival season; every shop is closed, and we saw people in traditional costumes celebrating on the streets.

We sat in front of the local church just to see how the sun moved on the church and cast beautiful shadows on the street. We felt so peaceful and joyous.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

This job really gives me a chance to get to know people from every corner of the world. I met people from Northern European countries as well as South America. Not only I get to share with them my cultures and heritages, but I also get to know their distinctive cultures and lifestyles when communicating with them. I made friends with some of our au pairs and volunteers, which I think it will be a life long friendship.

View Entire Interview

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Yes, we actually have many positive feedbacks from our au pairs and volunteers. One of the best stories I've heard is between our au pair in Ningbo and her host family.

They had such a great bonding that the kids really saw her as a close big sister and they wanted to be with her all the time, even wanted to sleep together with her. By the time she had to leave, both the au pair and the family were very emotional, but they still keep in touch with each other from time to time. This could be something that lasts for a lifetime for both the au pair and the family. Not to mention that the au pair's Chinese language skills also improved quite a lot during the program.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I would definitely choose to be an au pair. Because this will give you the most authentic experience of what it's like living in China. For those who are interested in learning the Chinese language as well as the cultures, it will offer you a lot more than you can imagine. You get to see and experience so many things that you will not experience if you just come here as a student and live on campus.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our company is unique because of the fact that we put great effort in enhancing the experience of both our au pair program candidates and family candidates. We will provide service throughout the entire process and until the au pair leaves the family. We try to make each and every candidate feel they are taken care of and their needs will be attended to.

I was especially proud of seeing the growth of our team. We are a small but close-knit team. We share the same values and goals, and we also share a lot of common interests, which makes the work much more enjoyable. We have sharing sessions each week to share and discuss different interesting topics. We truly care for each other and aim to bring out the best outcome in our work.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I think passion is really important so that the team can really have the motivation to keep improving and keep growing. Also, sharing the same values and goals is equally important so that you can truly work as a team and try to think about what will be the best for the team and the company. Wanderlust Exchange has both qualities, so I believe we are on our way to be successful.

About Wanderlust Exchange

Wanderlust Exchange combines travel with educational exchange opportunities through several programs where participants have the opportunity to learn Mandarin, teach English as an au pair, volunteer with children, act as a cultural ambassador, or even coach tennis. Each of our programs encourages cultural immersion and exchange by giving...

Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

LTL Language School || Learn Chinese (11 Cities)

LoPair Au Pair China: Learn. Care. Explore.

Chinese Programs in Shanghai&Suzhou with Silk Mandarin

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

Response from Wanderlust Exchange

what should i expect in the first month or so after moving to China?

Alumni Interviews

Soraya Shirin Stuehmer

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Staff Interviews

Lilian Liu

What is your favorite travel memory?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

LTL Language School || Learn Chinese (11 Cities)

LoPair Au Pair China: Learn. Care. Explore.

Chinese Programs in Shanghai&Suzhou with Silk Mandarin