Au pairs are young international participants in cultural exchange programs who live with host families in the United States and receive a weekly stipend in exchange for providing childcare. (J1Visa.State.gov, n.d.) Many au pairs arrive expecting their stipend to cover cultural experiences such as travel and study. Still, differences in spending culture, limited understanding of the U.S. financial system, and a lack of practical money-management skills can lead to financial stress and poor spending decisions (Aguilar-Pérez, 2021). A microlearning instructional module was designed using the ADDIE model and delivered through Instagram carousel posts and short videos supported by a companion website with interactive activities to introduce basic financial skills and concepts related to the U.S. spending behaviors.

Usability was assessed via synchronous Zoom sessions with three participants (n=3). Learning effectiveness and attitudinal change were evaluated using pre- and post-surveys, administered through Google Forms to twenty au pairs living across various U.S. states (n=20). These surveys included reflection, opinion, and scenario-based questions. Results showed overall improvements in financial awareness and knowledge, with higher numbers of correct responses on post-assessments and shifts toward more mindful perspectives on spending and financial decision-making in the U.S. context. These results suggest that short, easily accessible microlearning content, delivered through platforms familiar to the target group, can effectively support the understanding and sharing of relevant financial terms and cultural spending situations. Future work should focus on expanding the content, incorporating topics and recommendations provided by the au pair community itself.