Au pair or not

My friend is considering hosting an au pair.

The reason she doesn’t want a nanny is because she’s specifically looking for someone who speaks a certain language. After interviewing candidates through nanny agencies who spoke that specific language, she felt that many were older, less educated, or simply not aligned with the dynamic she was hoping for. In some cases, she got the impression that childcare had become more of a fallback career path for them rather than something they were genuinely enthusiastic about. She’s hoping to find someone younger, in college, energetic and fun, who would genuinely enjoy the cultural exchange aspect and bring a positive, uplifting presence to the child’s life.

The challenge is that her family travels extensively, and she’s unsure whether an au pair is allowed to leave the U.S. frequently or work while staying in other countries.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or have experience navigating this?