Traveling to a new country is exciting, life changing, and full of possibility. But let’s be honest it can also feel overwhelming. Leaving your family, friends, home, and sometimes your language behind to live somewhere new for an extended period of time is a big step. If you are feeling homesick, you’re not alone.
Homesickness is a completely normal part of becoming an Au Pair. Your first instinct may be to avoid it but learning how to work through it in a healthy way will be better in the long run.
Here are some practical and helpful ways Au Pairs can navigate homesickness and start feeling at home in your new environment.
Create a Routine
Creating a familiar routine can create stability in unfamiliar environments. While you will have your work schedule with your Host Family, adding personal routines can help you feel grounded.
Maybe you enjoy a quiet coffee in the morning, maybe you journal before bed, or maybe you watch your favorite show on Sunday afternoons. Incorporating some of your regular habits and routines in to your new life creates comfort and gives you structure.
Your new routine will eventually turn in to your new normal.
Cozy Up Your Space
Make your room your personal sanctuary by creating your mini home away from home. Creating a space that feels like you can make you feel at ease in your new home.
Add photos of family and friends. Bring some small decorations from home or a favorite blanket or pillow. Head to a local store to find some things to personalize your space.
When your space feels comforting, it becomes easier to recharge emotionally.
Set Small Goals to Look Forward to
When you are feeling overwhelmed in a new situation a great idea is to start small by making small achievable goals for yourself. Instead of thinking about your entire year ahead, think about this week.
Plan a visit to the local store for some essentials or to a local tourist spot. Try a new restaurant and invite your Host Family to start building your bond. Set up an appointment to get your social security card and a bank account. There are many small achievable goals you can make for yourself.
Small adventures help build your confidence while creating new memories. You will feel less overwhelmed by achieving one small goal at a time and you will eventually feel it’s easier to achieve your bigger goals.
Move Your Body
Being active is one of the fastest ways to boost your mood. When you move your body, you reduce stress, increase energy, and help your body adjust to jet lag more quickly.
Get out of the house and go for a walk in your neighborhood, take the kids too. Join a local gym. Take a yoga class. Dance around your room.
Physical movement releases endorphins that naturally improve your emotional state. It also helps you explore your new surroundings in an active way.
Don’t forget to get your rest to recharge and be ready to take on each day and new challenge.
Stay Connected — But Not Too Connected
Calling or video chatting with loved ones back home can be incredibly comforting. Staying connected reminds you that your support system is still there for you. And of course you miss them!
However, balance is important. If you are constantly checking in or comparing your new life to home, it can make adjustment harder. Try setting specific times each week in your off time to talk with family and friends. This gives you connection without keeping you “stuck” back home.
Being present where you are is key to adjusting and building your new life.
Eat Something From Home
Food is a powerful way of feeling comfort and exploring a new cultural. Certain flavors and smells can instantly bring familiarity.
Cook a traditional meal from your home country. Bake something you grew up eating. Visit an international grocery store to find familiar ingredients. You can even invite your Host Family to try your familiar home favorites. Sharing food is a beautiful way to share your culture and make a connection.
Cultural exchange goes both ways, and food is one of the most meaningful ways to start building a bond and feel at ease in your new home.
Talk About It
It’s very important to not bottle up your feelings. Homesickness can feel heavy and lonely when kept inside. The great news is, you have many avenues of support to help you get through it.
Chances are many people you have around you have experienced the same feelings as you before. Especially other Au Pairs that have been in the U.S. longer than you.
Local Area Representative
Your Local Area Representative has met many Au Pairs as part of their responsibilities. You can always send them a quick text or talk on the phone if you need to. They can also connect you with other Au Pairs in your area.
Other Au Pairs
Au Pairs in your local cluster are one of your best resources for homesickness because they have been through it too. You can also connect with other Au Pairs throughout the U.S. on social media.
Au Pair Sis
Au Pair Sis is like your big sister away from home during your Au Pair experience. You can always send her an email or reach out on social media for support.
Making Friends
Getting out of the house and making friends is one of the best things you can do. Whether it’s other Au Pairs, people you meet at your education classes, or joining a local group. You will find people to connect with and build a local support system.
Remember you are never in this alone. You are not weak for feeling homesick. You are human.
Give It Time
Adjustment to a new place and situation does not happen overnight. There’s no exact timeline for feeling fully settled. Some days will feel amazing while others may feel hard.
Be patient with yourself and give yourself grace. Growth happens outside of your comfort zone. The same experience that feels challenging today may become one of your proudest memories later.
Remember why you started this journey and celebrate your achievements along the way. You are here to grow, learn, explore, and to experience something bigger than yourself.
With time your new environment will feel like home.
You've Got This
Being an Au Pair is more than a job. It’s a cultural exchange, a personal growth journey, and a once in a lifetime adventure. Feeling homesick doesn’t mean you have made the wrong choice. It means you care deeply about the people and places your love.
By following the easy steps above, open communication, and patience your new environment will start feeling less unfamiliar and more like home.
One day you may even find yourself feeling homesick for this chapter in your life too.
Are you ready to start your Au Pair journey? Click here to learn more about becoming an Au Pair and start the process now.
