The au pair as a mediating springboard: the shifting aspirations of Chinese youth in migration

Abstract

Since the 1980s, China has undergone a dramatic transformation through reforms and economic liberalization. Among these, the theme of migration has also developed. To complement this context, relying on an empirical study of young Chinese au pairs in Germany implemented in 2019, this paper aims to build a migration picture of au pairs’ youth transitions in a transnational context.

The Au Pair programme is a 1-year cultural exchange project experienced by youth between the ages of 18 and 27 who exchange simple household chores for accommodation in a host family in a foreign country with the purpose of learning language. This study reveals that prior to joining the program, participants held a positive perception of Germany and the program. However, their experience in Germany led to a complex evaluation of this journey. Participants had to re-evaluate their visions of the future and adjust their initial idealized notions of the international experience. The ever-changing aspirations that arise in a dynamic social environment drive the shift and reshaping of the migration process and promoting unexpected personal development. The Au Pair experience acts as a springboard, giving these young people a buffer to (re)orientates for the future.