Masons Au Pair Chengdu
Live with a Chinese host family in Chengdu, build real childcare and cross-cultural experience, and develop your Mandarin through daily immersion and professional language classes. Masons Au Pair supports you through matching, visa preparation, arrival, and your time in China.
What this is
Masons Au Pair is a cultural exchange program based in Chengdu that connects international young people with Chinese host families.
You live with your host family, helping with childcare and English-language interaction while becoming part of everyday family life. Alongside the homestay experience, Masons provides Mandarin classes through XMandarin Chinese Language School, cultural activities, au pair training, and local support.
The program runs for 3–12 months, with six months described by Masons as the most common placement duration. Before committing, you'll interview with potential host families and agree on your duties, English tutoring hours, schedule, and free time.
Who it's for
- Young adults aged 18–29
- Fluent English speakers, including non-native speakers
- People interested in Chinese language and culture
- People looking for a live-in cultural exchange experience
- People interested in childcare, English tutoring, and international experience
- Complete beginners in Mandarin — prior Chinese language knowledge isn't required
- Applicants without prior childcare or teaching experience — Masons says this isn't required
Requirements
- Be 18–29 years old
- Be fluent in English or have strong English proficiency
- Provide a clean criminal background check
- Meet the documentation requirements for the X2 student visa, including a passport, health certificate, criminal record documentation, and invitation letter
What you get
- Chinese host-family placement: Masons matches au pairs with Chinese families based on personality, lifestyle, values, language preferences, childcare expectations, and cultural fit.
- Private room and full board: Your host family provides a private room and three meals a day while you live as part of the household.
- Free Mandarin classes: Study Mandarin at XMandarin Chinese Language School with professional teachers and classes adapted to your level.
- X2 visa support: Masons guides you through the X2 student visa application, including document preparation and submission support.
- Round-trip flights: Flight tickets are included based on the duration of the program.
- 24/7 local support: Masons' Chengdu team provides support throughout your stay, alongside au pair training before and after arrival.
Why this is useful
Masons is based in Chengdu and has been running its au pair program since 2016. Its model brings the host-family experience, Mandarin study, cultural immersion, and local support together in one program.
The matching process goes beyond availability: Masons says families and au pairs are matched around personality, lifestyle, values, language preferences, and childcare expectations, with a video interview before the placement is confirmed.
The language component is another defining part of the experience. Masons' au pairs receive free Mandarin classes through its partner school, XMandarin, alongside the everyday language practice that comes from living with a Chinese family.
You also have a local team available 24/7, plus support with visa documentation, police registration, orientation, and arrival in Chengdu. Masons currently states that it has placed 300+ au pairs and that its host families are screened.