Advice for a successful au pair year
Adjusting to the USA
It won't take long for you to see that your life is different in America.
Top Tips for enjoying life in a new culture:
In your host family you will see different ways of living and different attitudes of childcare. You're there to help the family, not change them. Relax and be flexible.
You'll have different periods of adjustment. At the beginning, everything is exciting and new! After a few months, you may start to really miss home and think things in America are "stupid" or "wrong". But at the end of your year, you'll get a new perspective and see the value in both your culture and American culture.
When confronting all the new information and customs, remember to have an open mind. Try to think of the differences as "interesting" and not "bad" or "good". Be flexible and open to hearing other points of view. It's a once in a lifetime chance to live a new culture!
When you experience a strange custom, try to think "It's not right, it's not wrong, it's just different".