Handbook

Contents

Contents

3 Welcome to AuPairCare!
4 Program description
4 Costs
5 The AuPairCare staff

6 Preparing for your year in America

6 Interviewing & matching
7 Don’t forget
7 Pre-departure orientation project
8 The arrival orientation
9 Important travel tips

10 Your dedication to the program

10 Commitment to your host family
10 Learning to communicate
12AuPairCare policies and guidelines for au pairs in transition
13 Educational requirement
13 Getting your Social Security card
14 Cultural & travel opportunities

15 In your new home

15 Getting settled
15 Living with your new family
19 Dealing with culture shock

21 Commonly asked questions

26 AuPairCare Au Pair Agreement

28 AuPairCare pre-departure orientation project34 Important information

35 U.S. Department of State Letter

1

The AuPairCare Program

The AuPairCare Program

This au pair handbook has been written especially for you! It is full of
information, ideas and suggestions to help you have a successful
experience as an au pair during the coming year. Read this handbook
carefully when you first receive it, and again a fewweeks before your
arrival.

We believe that careful preparation by everyone involved in the au pair
exchange is an essential part of a successful program. Reading this
handbook, attending your au pair arrival orientation and local in-home
orientation, and following the suggestions outlined in this handbook
will help you to become a successful au pair.

Most importantly, try to keep anopen mind about the differences
between American life and that of your native country. Remember, you
became an au pair so that you could experience a cultural exchange.
Your positive outlook and attitude toward this exchange will make your
year in America both enjoyable and rewarding for you and your host
family.

Please contact your local AuPairCare field staff representative if youhave any questions about the information provided in this handbook,
or check out our web site at: www.aupaircare.com.

We wish you a very exciting and memorable year with your host family!

Best Wishes,

The Staff at AuPairCare

Program description

Program description
home
childcare and the opportunity to
learn about you and your culture.

AuPairCare is designated bythe United
States Department of State (DOS) as
one of a select few organizations to
sponsor foreign au pairs. This
designation permits AuPairCare to issue
government forms to qualified au pairs,
allowing them to secure a J-1 Exchange
Visitor Visa and remain in the United
States for one year.

According to the DOS, the au pair
program is organized to permit “foreign
nationalsthe opportunity to live with an
American host family and participate
directly in the home life of the host
family while providing limited child care
services and attending a US postsecondary
educational institution.”

Costs

Your host family pays a substantial
program fee that covers the recruiting
and screening of au pairs by AuPairCare
overseas partner agencies, yourinternational plane ticket to the United
States, part of the orientation in New
York City, sickness and accident
insurance, and the services of an
AuPairCare local staff member. In
addition, your host family pays for your
one-way transportation from New York
City to the host community, pocket
money paid to you each week ($139.05
for 51 weeks) according to Department
of Stateguidelines, any additional car
insurance which may be required, and
tuition expenses (up to $500 per year).

You must arrange and pay for
transportation to and from the gateway
city in your home country prior to your
departure and upon your return to your
home country. Additionally, you are
responsible for the one-way domestic
transportation from your host family’s
community to...