Planning Your Au Pair Exit: Navigating Life After the Program

Au Pair Weekend

The au pair journey in the U.S. is a unique and enriching cultural exchange experience, bringing immense personal growth and unforgettable memories. However, as the saying goes, "Life moves pretty fast". One moment you're arriving, and the next, your au pair program is nearing its end, leaving you to wonder: what comes next?

Recognizing the importance of preparing for this transition, Au Pair Weekend (APW) hosted a valuable session titled "AU PAIR EXIT: Life After the Program". Featuring insights from hosts Sharon (APW Program Development Coordinator), Emily (APW City Director, Instructor and professional photographer), and Regan (APW Program Development and Marketing Coordinator), the session provided au pairs with tools and guidance for planning their next steps. It was emphasized that it's never too soon to start thinking about your au pair exit, even if you've just arrived.

 

So, how can you effectively plan your transition and leverage your au pair experience for future success? Let's explore the key takeaways from the APW session.

Reflect on Your Au Pair Journey & Discover Your Strengths

Your time as an au pair can present challenges such as feeling homesickness, navigating cultural differences, or possibly going through a rematch process. Taking time to reflect on these difficulties and how you overcame them is a powerful exercise in self-discovery.

Think about one significant challenge you faced and how you got through it. What did you learn about yourself in the process? One au pair shared how setting a specific date to re-evaluate her homesickness helped her realize her strength and ability to persevere.

Overcoming such hurdles highlights the strengths you've developed during your au pair program. Words like endurance, perseverance, resilience, determination, and adaptability are not only key to understanding your own growth but are also incredibly valuable to mention on your resume and in cover letters for future career or academic pursuits.

Planning Your Next Steps After the Au Pair Program

What happens when your au pair year concludes? Your path forward is wide open:

  • Returning home
  • Extending your stay in the U.S.
  • Traveling further, perhaps to another country
  • Starting a new job
  • Continuing your education

It's helpful to explore these options now. Consider taking a short course, perhaps one that fulfills your J-1 visa education requirement, to see if further education interests you. If travel is a possibility, visiting another country could help you decide if you'd like to spend more time there. You could even consider going home briefly before your program ends to assess if extending your program is the right choice.

To explore Au Pair Weekend courses that can help you meet visa requirements or simply pursue interests, visit our Courses page.

Become a Travel Pro & Preserve Au Pair Memories

If travel is part of your plan after the au pair program, here's a great travel hack shared during the session: Google Flights. It's an excellent tool for finding affordable flight options, whether you're traveling domestically within the U.S. or internationally. You can search for the cheapest flights to a specific city or use the "anywhere" feature if you're flexible on your destination. While you don't have to book through Google Flights, it's ideal for planning.

Make the most of your remaining time in the U.S. by creating a bucket list of things you want to do or see before you leave.

And importantly, document your experiences and preserve your memories from your au pair year:

  • Take lots of pictures.
  • Consider creating a yearbook using services like Chatbooks or Shutterfly. Get friends and your host family to sign the book to keep as a wonderful keepsake.
  • Keep a journal. Write about challenging days (it can be therapeutic) but also focus on your fun memories.

Building Your Future: Leveraging Your Au Pair Experience for Career & Academic Goals

Your au pair experience has equipped you with invaluable skills highly transferable to almost any career or academic path. Think about how to showcase your:

  • International experience
  • Experience studying in another country
  • Cross-cultural experience
  • English language skills
  • Adaptability
  • Time management
  • Problem solving
  • Cultural sensitivity

Here are some essential tools and tips for leveraging this experience:

  • Canva: An excellent resource for easily creating professional resumes, cover letters, and portfolios using pre-made templates. Many au pairs are already using it.
  • LinkedIn: Considered the "social media for professionals". It's crucial for networking and finding job opportunities. Set up your profile with a clear headshot, an "about me" summary, upload your resume, and start connecting with people. Recruiters frequently use LinkedIn for hiring.
  • Instagram for creatives: If you're interested in fields like content creation, graphic design, styling, or photography, create a dedicated business Instagram account. Many professionals in these creative areas find work and network through Instagram.
  • Recommendations: Staying in contact with your host parents or teachers from your U.S. classes is important. You may need to ask them for letters of recommendation for future jobs or school applications. Make sure to write down their contact information now.
  • Portfolio: If you're in a creative field, start building a portfolio of your work now using tools like Canva. Keep a running file of projects you've done.

For those interested in improving their English language skills for future academic or career goals, Au Pair Weekend offers Intermediate and Advanced English courses. While these courses can be listed on your resume, please note that they do not provide a specific language level certification required by some universities. You can explore our online courses and in-person classes on our website.

Navigating Your Departure & Reverse Culture Shock

Saying goodbye at the end of your au pair program can be emotional, but it's important to leave on a high note. Consider throwing a party with friends and your host family to make the goodbyes a positive experience. Emphasize staying in touch – through social media, email, or even planning future visits. Maintaining these connections can be incredibly rewarding.

It's also completely normal to experience reverse culture shock when you return to your home country. You might feel homesickness for the U.S. or miss the life you built here. Coping strategies include:

  • Talking openly about your experience and feelings with friends and family back home.
  • Reaching out to friends and family before you leave the U.S. to reconnect and familiarize yourself again with life at home.
  • Embracing change. You've already demonstrated incredible adaptability by becoming an au pair.
  • Enjoying favorite activities and places back home.

Stay Connected with Au Pair Weekend

Au Pair Weekend (APW) is here to support au pairs throughout their journey and beyond. We offer various courses designed specifically for au pairs, including online and in-person options. You can take APW courses even if you don't need them for J-1 visa credits.

Sign up for our APW newsletter to receive information about future sessions like "Au Pair Exit," upcoming courses, and other helpful resources.

As a thank you for reading, use discount code "AFTER25" when registering for any future Au Pair Weekend course! (This code expires June 7, 2025).

If you have any questions about our courses, the au pair program, or planning your au pair exit, you can always email us at info@opairclasses.org.

Your au pair year is a transformative experience filled with growth and new skills. By reflecting on your journey, planning your next steps, and utilizing the tools discussed, you can confidently transition to your next adventure, ready to leverage the incredible skills and memories you've gained! Visit aupairclasses.org to learn more about how we can support you.

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