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Discover how the Cultural Care app guides you through every step of your Au Pair journey

The ultimate guide to starting your au pair journey with the Cultural Care app

Starting with your J-1 visa, we have listed for you all the travel documents that you’ll need to bring when you travel to the USA as an au pair.

As a future au pair, preparing for your exciting year abroad involves not just packing fun outfits and gifts, but also managing important documents, which can be overwhelming. To ease your journey, Cultural Care Au Pair provides a comprehensive checklist of essential IDs and paperwork, ensuring you’re ready for a smooth transition to the USA and can focus on the adventure ahead.

Travel document checklist for working as an au pair abroad | Cultural Care Au Pair

Your travel document checklist for the USA

Your Travel Document Checklist for the USA

Attending your monthly LCC meetings is crucial to being a successful au pair! Learn more about these meetings and why they’re so important. 

Why You Should Attend your LCC Meetings

Find out why au pair Tati chose her host family and how they build their relationship every day.

Why I chose my host family

Are you wondering why you should take this working holiday or embark on this gap year program that everyone is talking about? Learn from those who spent a year abroad! They will introduce how this experience changed their lives and why you should do it, too!

Why a Year Abroad is Worth It

Who do au pairs live with? What are host families actually like? Get a closer glimpse at our host families. 

Cultural Care Au Pair host families are diverse and welcoming, eager to include their au pairs as part of their family while offering unique cultural experiences. They come from various backgrounds, family structures, and locations across the USA.

Who are Cultural Care Au Pair host families?

Read about Viviana, a former Colombian au pair who began her journey as a professional and political scientist in the USA!

How being an au pair jump-started my career 

Having trouble bonding with your host child? Here are some strategies to try.  

Building a bond with a resistant host child can be challenging, but it's a common experience for au pairs. By maintaining a positive attitude, engaging in their interests, and communicating openly about your role, you can develop a meaningful relationship over time.

When your host child rejects you

Learn the requirements of being an au pair—and how the experience changes you for the better both personally and professionally. 

What Does it Mean to be an Au Pair?

Let Cultural Care Au Pair be your personal USA road trip planner. Learn the top 3 road trip ideas so you and your friends can see as much of the country as possible!

Top 3 Road Trip Ideas in the US

Learn how to take good care of yourself—both mentally and physically—as an au pair living and working abroad in the USA.

Being an au pair in the USA can be stressful, making self-care essential for maintaining mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

Self-care tips for au pairs

Dreaming of a New York City trip? Let us help you get the most out of your time in the Big Apple with our ultimate New York City guide.  

New York City is a vibrant travel destination celebrated for its rich culture, iconic landmarks, and diverse culinary scene. This guide highlights must-visit attractions like the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty,  perfect for an exciting weekend getaway.

Ultimate guide to a weekend in NYC

The ultimate guide to a weekend in New York City

The Ultimate Guide to a Weekend in New York City

German au pair Myles gives his advice on how to move on from a host family that isn’t working—and how to embrace the exciting new chapter of rematch! 

Rematch is Not the End of the World

British au pair Hollie explains how her life has been made better by pushing herself to try new things and meet new people—a cornerstone of the Cultural Care au pair experience in the USA! 

The Importance of Stepping Out of your Comfort Zone

Hear from au pairs on how they brought their own holiday traditions to their host families in America.

Sharing Your Own Holiday Traditions

Learn more about being a return au pair.  Being an au pair twice can teach you so much more about life in the USA.

Returning to the USA as an au pair

Watch these 5 feel-good American TV shows to help lift your mood and educate yourself on the English language. 

5 feel-good American TV shows to watch

What you should and should not pack as an au pair traveling to the USA

Packing for the USA

Traveling to Hawaii is a dream vacation that can be made more accessible by becoming an au pair in the USA, providing the perfect opportunity to explore the islands' breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine.

Hawaii vacation guide

My Hawaiian Vacation

All au pairs who come to the USA on a cultural exchange visa complete college credits at a school of their choice. Hear how au pairs have benefitted from that experience over the years!  

Being an au pair in the USA not only fosters independence and global connections but also offers a unique educational opportunity—completing college credits at a U.S. institution—which enhances professional prospects and personal growth through exposure to diverse subjects and teaching methods.

Au pair education in the USA

My American Education

British au pair Hollie's host family moved to a new corner of the state during her au pair term! Learn how it made her more independent and closer to her host parents.

Moving with my host family

Moving with my Host Family

Hear from au pairs who used their experience in the USA to reach their future career goals!

Life after your au pair year

Austrian au pair Marie-Louise shares her letter to all future au pairs—a collection of her best advice and suggestions from her time in the USA.  

Letter to a Future Au Pair

Au pair ambassador Clare Shepherd gives her best tips on how to maximize a 45-hour work week with host kids, from having a plan to getting outside.

Keeping your Host Kids Occupied

"Introducing our 2023 Host Families of the Year!"

French au pair Rémi visited all 50 states during his time in the USA

Interview with au pair Rémi: "I traveled to all 50 U.S. states!"

We sat down for a Q&A with Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) Joanne Dooley! Read our interview to learn more about the ins and outs of au pair support services. 

A Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) plays a vital role in supporting au pairs and host families during their time together in the USA, acting as a confidante and problem-solver while facilitating cultural exchange and helping both parties navigate challenges.

Interview with a Local Childcare Consultant

Cultural Care Au Pair is here to help you learn how to start a blog and how to make it stand out. Learn the best ways to create content and take stellar travel photos!

How to Write a Travel Blog

Living in the USA as an au pair means trying new foods and a new lifestyle! Be sure to stay healthy while your living abroad by following au pair Adela’s advice. 

How to Stay Healthy in the US

Austrian au pair Marco shares his tips on how to make friends with Americans as an au pair. Learn how to get involved in your community and meet locals! 

How to Meet Americans

Read on to learn some ways to build your brand and gain success as an au pair influencer!

To thrive as an au pair influencer, identify your unique niche, select an appropriate social media platform, share your personal experiences, collaborate with Cultural Care and peers, and adhere to content creation best practices while enjoying your journey.

How to become an au pair influencer

Whether you live near the beach or are taking a special trip this summer, be sure to check out our tips on how to plan a perfect beach day in America.   

How to Beach Day like an American

From sauces & sides to backyard games & traditions, this guide will help you know what to expect at your next American BBQ!

How to BBQ like an American

Living with an American host family is a special chance to experience cultural exchange! Read how host mom Andrea has embraced the au pair life. 

Host Mom Spotlight: The Story of Andrea

Learn what states some of the most famous musicians in America come from. 

Home States of Famous U.S. Musicians

A Cultural Care Au Pair Matching Specialist outlines the most important factors to keep in mind while searching for a host family in the USA.  

To find the right American host family as an au pair, it’s essential to be patient, proactive, open-minded, honest about your preferences, and true to yourself while considering important factors like lifestyle compatibility and communication styles.

How to find your American host family

How to Find your American Host Family

Whether it’s a gift to say goodbye, a present during the holidays, or simply a token to show your appreciation, here are some great ideas for how to show your host family how much you care! 

Great Gifts for your Host Family

Some of the best TV shows in America can help you learn a language! Learn what makes these shows so special and how they can help you improve your English.

5 Best American TV Shows to Watch

How do au pairs spend their free time? Read on for our top 5!

During their time as au pairs in the USA, individuals balance their childcare responsibilities with ample free time to socialize, travel, take classes, pursue passions, and bond with their host families.

Free time as an au pair

Learn how to expertly frame your au pair experience in a professional setting, from editing your CV to interviewing for jobs back in your home country!  

Framing Your Au Pair Experience

Hear from real au pairs who have just arrived in America about what their first impressions are of America!    

Upon arriving in the USA, au pairs often experience a mix of surprise and warmth as they encounter friendly locals, cultural differences, and the realization that their initial stereotypes about Americans do not align with their welcoming first impressions.

First impressions of the USA

First Impressions of the USA

Former au pair Malene describes moving back home after a year abroad. From tough goodbyes to culture shock, it’s normal to have conflicting feelings about going home.

Feelings that are Normal to Have as you Prepare to Head Home

Au pair Clare extended her term in the USA with a new host family—check out her great advice on how to make the transition smooth and easy for everyone involved!  

Extending as an au pair

Extending as an Au Pair

Italian au pair Dayana now works in the USA as a Marketing Analyst! Learn about her journey from au pair to working professional—and how you can do the same thing. 

Being an au pair launched my career

Being an Au Pair Launched my Career

Celebrate Christmas like a true American by taking part in these top 10 unique holiday traditions in the USA. 

Christmas in the USA

When Colombian au pair Vanessa arrived in the USA, her host child was only 2 months old! Learn why caring for an infant as an au pair is such a rewarding experience—and some tips and tricks to make it easier! 

Choosing to become an au pair and care for an infant allowed me to form a deep bond while experiencing personal growth, cultural learning, and the joy of guiding a child's early milestones, all while discovering my own independence and confidence.

Caring for an infant

Caring for an Infant

From coastlines to mountain ranges, discover what part of the USA is the perfect place for your au pair gap year!

Which U.S. state or region should you au pair in?

Au pairs love to shop while in the USA and these 5 stores are some of their favorites

Best places to shop in the USA

Many au pairs are being asked to support their host kids’ remote learning at home this fall. Our au pairs share their best tips to help their peers find success.

Many au pairs are being asked to support their host kids’ remote learning at home. Our au pairs share their best tips to help their peers find success.

Tips for remote learning

Au pairs share their best tips for helping with remote learning

Looking for nutrition tips for life in the USA? A Cultural Care host mom and registered dietician shares her advice

Au pair nutrition in the USA: common questions & answers

Mexican au pair Paula tells the story of how she met her husband Kevin from Germany while they were living in the USA as au pairs. 

Falling in love as an au pair

Falling in Love as an Au Pair

Hear from real au pairs who have just arrived in America about what their biggest goals are for their au pair year. Get inspired from their stories!   

My Au Pair Bucket List

Take our quiz to discover which American state you would LOVE to spend your au pair life in. 

Which U.S. State would you LOVE?

Meet Jess Hurley, the founder of the Global Ambassador Program! She walks us through the ins and outs of being an Ambassador, and how it heightens the Cultural Care au pair experience.  

Cultural Care Au Pair’s Ambassador Program offers au pairs the chance to enhance their experience in the U.S. through community involvement, media opportunities, and professional development, while fostering cultural exchange and building lasting friendships.

An inside look at the ambassador program

An inside look at the Ambassador Program

An Inside Look at the Ambassador Program

Wondering how to entertain your host kids through the summer? We've got you! Check out tips from our au pairs for summer activities with your host kids.

An au pair’s guide to summer with the host kids

A guide for your au pair journey

Au pair Rebekka shares what she learned as an au pair and how the experience has shaped her outlook on life. 

8 ways travel changed my life

A Saturday night in America is an opportunity to have fun, see friends and explore your neighborhood. Check out our top 7 Saturday night ideas! 

7 Ways to Spend a Saturday Night in America

American food is as diverse and rich in its history as the people who eat it! Check out some of the best American food traditions and recipes, and what makes them so special to travelers and locals alike

Top 7 American Foods You Must Try

Take to the road and explore the USA with our 6 American road trip tips

6 essential tips for your next American road trip

Being an au pair means expanding your horizons! Learn from Laura—a former au pair from Colombia—about six things you learn as an au pair in the USA. 

6 Things you Learn as an Au Pair

Former au pair Aliena outlines 5 tips on how to build an unbreakable bond with your host parents and host kids. 

5 ways to become part of your host family

5 Ways to Become Part of your Host Family

A relationship between an au pair and host mom can be a very special thing! We’ve compiled the top 5 ways to help au pairs cultivate that strong bond.

5 Ways to Build a Great Relationship with your Host Mom

Hear from former au pair from Mexico, Melanie—she shares her best advice on how to stay strong and resilient in the face of adversity.   

5 ways to get through tough times as an au pair

Au pairs are making the world a better place—find out how you can make an impact as an au pair.

3 ways you'll make an impact as an au pair

Difficult conversations with your host family can be tough to navigate. Read our advice for au pairs as they communicate their wants and needs.

20 Seconds of Courage

Read about some activities you’ll join with your host family!

10 ways our host families include their au pairs

Discover how spending a year abroad as an au pair will make your resume stand out once you’ve returned home – whatever career you choose to pursue!

10 Reasons Why Employers Love Your Au Pair Experience

Learn what the 10 most popular places are to take photos in the USA, and our best tips on how to capture the best picture.  

The 10 most Instagrammed places in the USA

You can soak in the diverse and beautiful nature of America when you travel the US as an au pair

10 Epic Nature Escapes in the US

Here are a couple American phrases that you may hear when you first arrive in the USA! 

10 helpful phrases to know in English – according to au pairs!

Don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate Halloween with your host family! Check out our group costume ideas.

10 Halloween group costume ideas

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