What Happens During Your First Week as an Au Pair

Your first week as an Au Pair is crucial to ensure that your Au Pair stay is going to be smooth sailing. ⛵️ So what should you do if you experience “culture shock” as a first time Au Pair? Read on to find out!

What is Culture Shock?

When we travel we go through something called “culture shock” and it’s very common for foreign travellers to experience this. When you’re in an unfamiliar environment or a place you’ve never been to, you may feel out of place and may even regret coming to the new country. But the truth is you are only experiencing “cultural adaptation” and the feelings (stress or homesickness) that you go through are just part of the process of learning. Give it time and you’ll soon properly function well in your new setting & ultimately your Au Pair stay.

How Should You Deal With Culture Shock?

Here are some tips you will find helpful when dealing with culture shock during your first week as an Au Pair:

• It will be awkward at first but slowly accept it, call it out, and laugh about it!
• Observe & learn how the host family does things, how they talk and behave with their kids! You might not understand right away but like we always say, give it time!
• Ask a lot of questions. Do I take off my shoes? Could you show me how to use the coffee machine? Where do I put this and that? Is it ok to give the kids chocolate? Reach out to the former Au Pair (whom you have hopefully already connected before your stay) and talk to her about all the awkward and uncertain things. She/he will give you valuable insights.
• Be proactive (some things are just common sense). See the parents are busy with dinner? Entertain the kids, join in their play. See toys lying on the floor? Pick them up, ask the kids where they go or include them in the cleanup song). Heard that host dad said they ran out of milk? Offer to go to the supermarket and get it. Notice your host mum is not a morning person and needs a coffee? Learn how to make one and hand it to her. Trust me 100 brownie points for this one. You will instantly be rated the best ever Au Pair (even if the coffee is not quite barista style) 😅.
• Connect with your parents back home. Don’t forget to call your family and friends regularly! Share with them all you go through (the good, the awkward and strange and stranger things 😅).
• Document your Au Pair year. You can also start an Instagram account to document all the memories & adventures during your Au Pair year! (don’t forget to follow us ;))

Watch our IG LIVE with Jarryd AKA @thebropair on Instagram for more tips! What to do in your first week as an Au Pair! Tips from a serial Au Pair and an experienced Host Mum!

We understand that every person is different and we all deal with stress and anxiety differently. But the tips we shared with you above will help you lighten up and ultimately see the big picture – you’re in a beautiful country, explore and appreciate what you see!