The author’s study is aimed at the determination of the ethnic preferences of host families in Au Pair choosing within the framework of the international programme of cultural exchange Au Pair. The findings of the analysis of intercultural studies of Russian and foreign researchers, interviews of Au Pairs, the process of intercultural exchange, and the content of Internet forums of host families and Au Pairs permitted to disclose the criteria of choosing of Au-Pair home countries. The attention is also paid to the limitation of choosing of AuPair home countries because of such a factor as neighbourship of countries.

The author’s study is aimed at the determination of the ethnic preferences of host families in Au Pair choosing within the framework of the international programme of cultural exchange Au Pair. The findings of the analysis of intercultural studies of Russian and foreign researchers, interviews of Au Pairs, the process of intercultural exchange, and the content of Internet forums of host families and Au Pairs permitted to disclose the criteria of choosing of Au-Pair home countries. The attention is also paid to the limitation of choosing of AuPair home countries because of such a factor as neighbourship of countries.