Increasing interest in au pair programs among young Finns leads to new opportunities abroad

Italian elegance stands out in the bustling atmosphere in front of the Helsinki Central Library, Oodi. Twenty-three-year-old Jenna Luukkola is dressed in a long black skirt and a cream-colored cardigan adorned with pearlescent buttons, carrying a small black leather bag. “I used to dress like this often when I took the kids to the playground. Sometimes when I wore sports clothes, I felt out of place,” Luukkola shares with a laugh.

Originally from Nurmijärvi, Luukkola has been working as an au pair in Milan since fall 2022. Her visit to Finland stemmed from a five-week summer break. According to Harriet Särömaa from Eur Au Pair, interest in au pair programs has increased in recent years, particularly for placements in the U.S. She mentions that young people are finding it increasingly hard to secure jobs in Finland.

Luukkola did not even attempt to find work in Finland after graduation; she decided to pursue her dream of living abroad by caring for children. She wrote a self-description in a lively au pair group on Facebook, receiving numerous responses, and eventually connected with a Finnish-Italian family in Milan, where she currently resides for the second time. Her interest in the Italian language and culture propelled her decision.

Luukkola’s experience has been smoother than depicted in the popular Finnish reality series “Au Pairit,” where participants often face challenges with host families. Despite the focus on experiencing nightlife, she emphasizes that pursuing an au pair role solely for partying is unfair to the family.

While many Finnish au pairs find placements through social media or platforms like AuPairWorld, this also complicates estimating the total number of Finns going abroad for au pair work. Economic difficulties may deter young people from considering such opportunities, especially as they face financial pressures to save for future education.