Changing host families: How do I find a new host family?
Au pairs can change families for different reasons: Sometimes this happens when the au pair wants to stay longer in the host country after the end of the planned stay with the first family and sometimes au pairs want to change before the planned end of their stay in order to find another family where they have a better understanding.
Reasons for changing to a new host family
Au pairs usually change host families when they wish to stay in their host country for a little longer and their stay at their present host family's home is due to end. However, au pairs sometimes change families prior to the planned end of the stay because they find they don't get on with their host family and there are differences and conflicts that they cannot resolve.
What can be done to avoid such conflicts?
Talking always help. Many problems can be avoided when the host family and the au pair make a point of talking with each other about all aspects of the stay right from the beginning. This is the best way to clear up misunderstandings quickly and find a positive way to continue the stay
How do I change host families as an au pair?
First of all, ask yourself why you want to change families: do you miss your family and friends? Is the living situation with the host family not working? Is your concept of the au pair stay very different? Before making a decision, try talking to the family and explain how you feel. In general, problems are resolved much faster than you might think.
If your differences are too much to overcome, the best solution is to change families. Follow our tips to make the change easier:
- Talk to your current family and organize the process of terminating the contract, as well as the next steps.
- Respect the notice period, usually of two weeks (unless stated otherwise in the contract or the host country’s regulations), and use that time to search for a new family.
- Reactivate your profile or register again. Update your information so new families appear in your EasyFind. You can mention in your text that you’re already in the host country. It would be a good idea to meet in person with the new host family to get to know them better.
- Reflect on what didn’t work with your current family. What would you like to be different with the new family? Set your priorities and communicate them.
- Once you have found a new family, inform the relevant authorities about the change and organize your trip after agreeing on all the important aspects of your stay.
How to find a rematch at AuPairWorld
In case you need a visa, clarify with the authorities if you can continue your stay in the host country. Then use AuPairWorld to find your rematch:
- Reactivate your AuPairWorld profile or register again if necessary.
- Change the start date for a new stay to the upcoming end of your current stay and select your current host country. This way you become visible in EasyFind to host families in your host country who are looking for an au pair for right now.
- Also search yourself in your EasyFind for families that would fit for you.
- Make it clear in your profile texts that you are currently in the host country and ready to start with a new host family immediately.
If you are already in the host country, it may even be possible to meet the new host family personally in advance. In general, it is also quite simple for European au pairs to search for and find a new family within the EU. Since no visa is required for entry into another EU country, it is possible also to change countries if you want.
An au pair story: How I changed host families
Lucy changed host families due to a disagreement with her first one. Would you like to know what happen to her? Did she find a second family? How did she change families? Play the video to find it out!
Au pair storytime: How I changed host families | AuPairWorld
