Heading abroad as an au pair or exchange student is incredibly exciting! One of the most important steps to a positive experience is finding a host family where you feel comfortable and welcome. Here are some tips to help you choose well.
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Trust your instincts. Use your intuition and common sense, and talk your options over with your own family — they can offer valuable perspective and help you make a well-rounded decision.
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Prepare for success. Good preparation prevents nasty surprises. Arrange a video interview (Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp) with a potential host family before committing. This helps confirm the person is genuine. Although Premier Au Pair carefully checks its members, scammers can occasionally slip through — and they typically avoid live video calls, which would reveal their identity. If someone refuses a video interview, that's a red flag.
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Ask the right questions. During the call, ask about the family's daily routine, expectations and lifestyle. Understanding their habits and needs helps you judge whether you're a good fit. Don't hesitate to ask about house rules, your responsibilities and any other concerns.
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Stay safe with our chat system. For your safety, communicate through our chat, which is automatically monitored for fraud and abuse. Keeping written communication on our platform helps protect you from scams. Only after several video calls, once you feel confident, should you consider moving to another channel.
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Get to know the family. Beyond the formalities, get a feel for the family's personality and dynamics. Are they warm and welcoming? Flexible and understanding? Building rapport before you arrive makes the transition smoother.
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Check references. If you can, ask for references from previous au pairs or exchange students who have stayed with the family. Their experiences offer valuable insight and help you feel more secure in your decision.
Follow these tips and you'll set yourself up for a smooth, enjoyable experience abroad. Happy travels, and good luck with your new adventure!