Ovc Work And Study: Free Travel?

OVC Work Study Travel offers young South Africans the opportunity to travel the world through structured international Gap Year programs. The programs include au pairing in the USA, Netherlands, Belgium, France, or Germany, working on a summer camp in the USA, a 12-month hospitality and agriculture internship, TEFL qualification in Southeast Asia or Latin America, and a teacher exchange program for qualified teachers in American schools. OVC also assists with flights, visas, travel insurance, and accommodation.

Au Pairing in Germany

Requirements for Au Pairs

• You must be between 17 and 30 years old.
• You need basic knowledge of the German language (at least level A1).
• You must be unmarried and have no children.
• You must be able to afford the trip to Germany.
• You must be between 18 and 26 years old.
• You must commit to a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months in Germany.
• You must not have been an au pair in Germany before.

Requirements for Host Families

• There must be at least one child under 18 in the household.
• At least one parent must have German or EU citizenship.
• The au pair should take care of the children and do light housework.
• German should be spoken in the household.
• The host family should not be from the same country as the au pair.

Au Pair Contract

Au pairs and host families must sign a contract that outlines the details of the au pair's stay, including working hours, schedule, holidays and pocket money. The contract must be signed for a minimum of 6 months for non-EU citizens, and there is a maximum stay of 12 months. Au pairs from the EU can agree on the duration of their stay with the host family.

Working Hours and Holidays

Au pairs in Germany should not work more than 6 hours per day and 30 hours per week, including babysitting. Au pairs are entitled to at least 1.5 days off per week, one of which should be a Sunday, and at least four free evenings per week. Au pairs are also entitled to a paid annual holiday of 4 weeks if they stay with the host family for a whole year.

Pocket Money and Benefits

Au pairs in Germany receive 280 euros per month as pocket money, and this amount remains the same regardless of the number of working hours. The host family must also provide free board and lodging to the au pair, and the au pair is entitled to their own room, which must be at least 9 square metres in size, have a window, and be lockable and heatable. The host family must also provide the opportunity for the au pair to attend a German language course and contribute 70 euros per month to the cost of this, in addition to travel costs.

Insurance

Au pairs in Germany must have insurance coverage for illness, pregnancy, childbirth and accidents. The host family is responsible for arranging and covering the costs of this insurance.

Living with a Dutch family

OVC Work Study Travel offers young South Africans the opportunity to live with a Dutch family for a year, enabling them to travel and gain valuable life experience. This program includes accommodation, airfare, medical insurance, and visa costs.

Most Dutch host families live in small towns or in the countryside, offering a more authentic and intimate experience of Dutch life. As a student, you will also attend a local high school, further improving your language skills and allowing you to make Dutch friends your age.

To make the most of your time with a Dutch host family, it is important to be open-minded, mature, and curious about their way of life. Embrace new customs and habits, and actively seek to learn about their culture. This will not only enrich your language skills but also broaden your understanding of the world and foster cross-cultural friendship.

The cost of this program starts at 5490 EUR for 8 to 12 weeks, and it is specifically designed for English native speakers aged 14 to 18.5 years old.

Studying in the US

OVC Work Study Travel offers a range of opportunities for young South Africans to gain international experience during a gap year. One of these opportunities is studying in the US. Here is some more information about this option:

OVC offers a Teacher Exchange program for qualified maths, science, English first language, and special education teachers to work in the USA for three years or more. The organisation also provides TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses, which can be completed online or in Southeast Asia or Latin America. These qualifications can enable you to teach online or begin a teaching career in the US.

In addition, OVC offers a 12-month Hospitality Internship program in the US, which includes culinary, food and beverage, and front office positions. This opportunity is open to those with a study or work experience background in the hospitality industry.

Costs

OVC provides assistance with flights, visas, and travel insurance. For the Au Pair in the US program, accommodation, airfare, medical insurance, and visa costs are all included. A stipend, study allowance, housing, and meals are also provided.

Au Pairing in Belgium

Requirements

There are a few requirements to become an Au Pair in Belgium. Firstly, you must be between 17 and 30 years old, and you'll need a visa if you're not an EU citizen. It is also beneficial to have basic language skills in one of the official languages, as this will make your stay more enjoyable. If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need to meet additional visa requirements, including having a high school diploma or equivalent, a clean criminal record, and proof that you can cover your visa and travel expenses.

Language Courses

The Au Pair program in Belgium offers the opportunity to improve your language skills by attending a language course. In fact, it is mandatory for Au Pairs in Belgium to follow a language course for at least three months. While the fees for these classes are typically not covered, it is a great opportunity to improve your CV and communicate more fluently with locals.

Culture and Cuisine

Belgium is a melting pot of cultures, with a unique mix of customs and cuisines. You'll be tempted by mussels and fries, freshly made waffles, and an array of chocolates. Belgium is also known for its beer, with over 1500 different sorts to choose from. During your stay, you'll have plenty of time to explore medieval castles, enjoy incredible festivals, and participate in outdoor activities such as kayaking in the river Ourthe.

Host Family

As an Au Pair in Belgium, you'll have the opportunity to live with a Host Family and truly experience their language and culture. Remember to sign the Au Pair contract and get your insurance and necessary documentation in order before your stay. You can start your journey by registering with an Au Pair agency and searching for a Host Family that matches your preferences.

TEFL qualification in Southeast Asia

OVC Work Study Travel offers structured international gap year programmes for young South Africans. One of the opportunities they offer is to complete your TEFL qualification in Siem Reap or Bali, Southeast Asia, and start your career as an ESL teacher.

A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification is the basic requirement for anyone wanting to get worldwide employment as an English teacher. TEFL courses are generally four weeks (120 hours) long, Monday to Friday, and cost from $1000 to $2000 USD. The benefit of taking a course based in the country where you would like to teach is that you get to practice with local children or adults and learn more about the culture. You will also gain valuable contacts who may help you find a job.

When choosing a TEFL course, make sure the school meets the basic international criteria for TEFL courses by offering 120 hours of classroom time and observed teaching practice. At the end of your course, you should receive an internationally recognised TEFL certificate.

TEFL Courses in Southeast Asia

There are several TEFL courses available in Southeast Asia. Here is some information about two of them:

• Samui TEFL, Thailand: This 4-week TEFL course covers six main areas: teaching techniques, language awareness, teaching practice and observation, materials project, business English for ESL/EFL, and a teaching materials project. The course includes a mixture of classroom teaching and practical training in local schools.
• International TEFL Academy: This academy offers accredited TEFL certification 4-week courses in Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Frequently asked questions