Best AuPair Guide

As long as you’ve found a good family to work for, it shouldn’t take too long to get used to your new au pair job. Be sure to keep in mind that some days will be great, and others not so good. You do, however, want to try to keep the ratio in your favor!

Although I felt right “at home” with the family I worked for, it took me a little while longer to adjust daily life in a place that turned out to be more different than I expected. Some places look deceitfully similar on the outside, but are quite different. Germany was one such place. Somehow, the longer I lived there, the more of an outsider I felt. I did manage, though, and you will be able to too.

Once you’ve gotten into a good work rhythm with your host family, it’s time to turn your attention outwards, beyond the four walls of your house. The sooner you get out and make new friends, the more comfortable you’ll feel in your new home. It might take time to establish real friendships, but don’t let the time and effort it can take discourage you from trying. More than likely, where ever you live, you will not be the only person trying to make new friends. It’s more or less a matter of finding places to meet new people.

The best place to start meeting new people will be your host family. Most host families will be happy to introduce you to their friends and family, and this can be an excellent starting point for making new contacts. Even though you may not want to spend every waking moment of free time with your employers, be sure to take them up on offers to spend time with their friends. You never know who you might end up befriending.

Beyond your family, your language class will also be a great place to meet new people. You won’t become any more fluent in your target language this way, but you will meet others who are also new to the country. Some of my best friends (whom I am still in contact with) were friends I made through my language classes. The only possible drawback is that you might find it all too tempting to cut class, hitting the up bars and cafes with your new friends, instead of staying and hashing out grammar…