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…

If this is your first time abroad, you may be either totally overwhelmed or completely thrilled to be somewhere else. You may also be a bit ambivalent, as you realize that the place may not be as exciting as you imagined it to be. And after all, you are there to work, which may also be a bit of a struggle at first. Whatever your initial reaction is to your new home, try to keep your senses. Enjoy the newness, but don’t let your first impressions (especially if they are negative) completely dictate what your au pair year will be like.

Getting into a daily routine and getting plenty of rest will help you begin life in your new country on a firm foundation. Don’t feel compelled to see and do everything in your new area right away. Pace yourself as you visit new places and try new things. Keep in mind that you will be there - if all goes well - for an entire year, and possibly longer. So there is no need to rush to see and experience everything the area offers in the first few days or weeks. You don’t want to burn yourself out.

Likewise, you should baby-step your way through your new job. Understanding host parents will not expect you to work full-time right away. They should give you some time to get to know them and their children, gradually easing you into your work schedule. Adjustment is needed on all sides, and everyone will benefit from getting to know each other before being forced to spend a crazy amount of time together.

I was lucky in that I instantly felt comfortable with my host family. Part of it was that we had established a decent connection via email in the weeks before my arrival. This contact helped us get to know each other, at least to some level, before actually meeting. Taking the time to write your family, telling them about yourself and your home life, will help lay the groundwork for the relationship. Finding out more about them will also help you feel more comfortable with the family before you actually meet, limiting the awkward newness that can come from moving in with nearly total strangers.

Regardless of how your initial meeting with your family is, keep an open mind, good attitude, and willingness to give the relationship time to develop. If both sides are willing to put effort into making the situation work, you will truly feel as though you are one of the family within a short matter of time.

Above all, dress for the journey. Be sure to dress comfortably and in layers, and remember the importance of slip-on shoes to get through security. Low-maintenance shoes will also keep you from the hassle of trying to untie and tie shoes in cramped airplane seats. Wearing breathable layers, such as a cotton shirt and sweater, is your best bet for keeping comfortable on your flight.

If you’re leaving a warm climate and headed to a cold one, don’t try to lug all your winter gear on board with you. A simple scarf and warm jacket should suffice, while the rest of your cold weather items can stay in checked baggage, out of the way. You want to keep your carry on luggage as limited as possible, especially if you do not have a direct flight. Bring only the necessities: glasses/and or contacts, any meds you need, basic toiletries and cosmetics, and a book or magazines to help stave off boredom.

Taking an herbal/vitamin supplement, such as Airborne (and there are others on the market), will help keep your immune system strong during the trip. Airplanes are notorious havens for viruses and bacteria, so be sure to drink plenty of water with any supplements you take. Also be sure to get plenty of rest, both before and during the journey. You do not want to start out your au pair year sick upon arrival, and good nutrition, rest, and hydration will help keep you healthy.

To make the trip as smooth as possible, be sure to be up to date with any travel advisories and with the most recent rules concerning what you can and can’t take on board. The days of taking anything but the most obvious weapons on board with you are over. There are now rules concerning items such as bottled water, shampoo, and many other necessities, so be sure to check the following before you pack. Believe me, having to leave items (even inexpensive ones), are not a good way to start a trip. Be as prepared as possible.

You can find any travel warnings and other tips for international travel at the U.S. State Department’s travel website:

http://travel.state.gov/

The FAA website lists all that you can and can’t take with you on a plane, as well as anything else you need to know regarding travel to and from the US:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Beyond what you can and can’t bring, it is important to dress comfortably for the flight and for easy passage through security. I recommend you wear sandals (weather permitting) or slip-on shoes during the journey, as you will have to take off your shoes to get through security. You will likely feel rushed through a packed security line by less-than-friendly agents, and wearing low-maintenance clothing and shoes will make the experience much less painful. Comfy, simple shoes will also make life on the plane easier, as will layered clothing.

If you’ve done your research (and yes, flying nowadays does require actual research), you will have done all you can to have a hassle-free trip. Bon voyage!

For starters, make sure you know what the climate is in the country you are moving to, and pack the basics to cover four seasons of life there. Consider bringing only the minimal amount of items you think you will need. Part of the excitement of living somewhere new is the shopping, and there will likely be many new things you discover you have to have. By only bringing what you absolutely can’t live a year without, you will give yourself the freedom to shop during your year abroad without the hassle of having to ship half your gear back home (this will also save you a bundle of money).

Beyond clothing and the necessary items such as eye glasses and prescription meds, keep other items to a minimum. Any toiletries you use will probably be available in your new home (unless you happen to be venturing out into the jungle somewhere, which as an au pair is unlikely). Do bring a few items that will remind you of home - a journal, a couple favorite books, maybe even a pillow or blanket. Having a few treasured things from home will help keep you sane on the tough days, and will be a comfort if homesickness sets in.

If you have any questions as to what you might need to bring (or not bring), don’t hesitate to ask your host family or au pair agency representative. They will gladly help you, and your host family will know what is and isn’t available, so that you can be sure you have all that you need. If possible, talk with other seasoned travelers, especially those who have lived where you are going. They will also be a tremendous source of help - not only for packing, but for any other travel questions as well.

It’s also critical that you have your finances in order. Take care of any outstanding bills before you leave, so there are no surprises or things left undone. If you have student loans, car payments, or any other similar regular bills to pay, find out about paying ahead or drafting payments from your account. You won’t want to fool with such details while overseas. Also be sure to put somebody - a trusted friend or family member - in charge of your mail and paperwork while you are gone, so you won’t miss anything important during  your time abroad.

Be sure to consider any health issues before leaving. Getting a physical before you go is a good idea, to make sure that you are in good health before jetting around the world. Make sure that you also bring plenty of prescription medicine and other necessary items, such as contact lenses and glasses (an extra pair would be a great idea). Keep copies of any regular prescriptions on hand, just in case you run out and need refills. You may not be able to find exactly what you need where you will be going, but having the information on hand will help make things easier, especially if it’s something that you will definitely need.

The most important part of getting ready to leave is make sure you have at least a basic working knowledge of your target country’s language. Even if you only know the basic greetings before you go, some is infinitely better than nothing. The more you can learn beforehand, the better off you will be. You will welcomed more openly by the locals, will be able to get around on your own better, and will save yourself the embarrassment of being just another “typical American” who speaks only English.

Of course, you have to be realistic - no matter how you prepare, you will not become fluent in the weeks (or even months) before you leave. The reality is that no matter how much you know, you will feel like a newbie once you reach your country and begin speaking with natives. But don’t worry - if you work hard and are willing to brave mistakes, you will learn a lot by the time your contract is over.

Even if you aren’t a language buff, you’ll find it isn’t only important, but may also be necessary, to get a good handle of the basics down. If you’re new to the language, start by finding a basic CD language course your comfortable with. There are many on the market that will help you learn the fundamentals of almost any language you would want to learn. Try to learn as much as possible before you leave. The preparation may or may not seem worth it, but anything you learn ahead of time will help you manage better once you reach your destination. Reaching a country with even a minimal amount of language knowledge will help you feel less awkward, and may even help ward off homesickness and culture shock.

The next most important step is to get a valid passport, if you don’t have one already. This is a must and will take roughly four weeks to get, costing a hefty $100.00. You can have it expedited, but this is more expensive, so you may as well plan ahead to spend the smallest amount possible. Everything you need to know concerning passports and other travel related questions can be found at the international travel section of the US State Department’s website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html

If you have your contract and passport in hand (be sure to make copies of both, by the way - one set to leave with your parents or other responsible party, the other set to keep on hand ‘just in case’), you are much closer to making your way abroad and are ready to make your travel arrangements.

If you’ve found a generous (or desperate) host family, you may have part or all of your airfare cost covered, which is very nice. I highly recommend at least asking if the family can help you with your flight. Asking never hurts and your family’s willingness to help might surprise you. Keep in mind, however, that if they don’t pay for your flight, it shouldn’t be held against them. Not all host families are loaded, and the expenses of an au pair can add up quickly. But again, don’t be afraid to request help if you need it.

4. The thought of living in another country does nothing for you.

3. An entirely new place - country, people, culture, way of life - scares you senseless.

2. Living with in close quarters with another family would make you crazy.

1. You can’t tolerate children.