By Ann Robertson

You’ve been here for a while now, – you know your way around town, you’ve gone to school, made friends, and are having a great American experience. And then . . . the question:

Would you like to extend?

If you have time for it in your life, and you meet the requirements, the extension program might be the right option for you.

The basics: You can choose to extend for 6, 9, or 12 months, and you may choose to extend with your current host family (if they are interested, of course), or with a new family – some au pairs dream of seeing another part of the country, finding different education options, or just experiencing another American family.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

MEDICAL INSURANCE:

Your medical policy expires for the first year, and you start your new policy during the year you extend.

For example:

-If your first year began February 2013, your insurance policy is the 2013 policy until Feb 2014.

-If you start your extension in February 2014, you start the 2014 policy in February. (be aware of the changes in the policy look on the blog for the brochure).

Your insurance card expires after one year, so you should receive a printable card when you start your extension year. If you do not receive it call the agency for a new card.

If you purchased the upgrade insurance in your first year, you must purchase it again in the second year.

If you purchased the sports insurance in your first year, it lasts only 12 months from the time you bought it. Depending on when you bought it, you will probably need to purchase it again.

EDUCATION

If you extend for 9 or 12 months you must earn  6 credits again or 72 hours of education to complete the program requirements.

If you extend for 6 months you only need 3 credits or 36 hours of education.

 

DRIVERS LICENSE

Check on the expiration of your driver’s license, you must renew it before it expires (DO NOT LET YOUR LICENSE EXPIRE). Most likely you will need to renew it before you start your extension year. Check with your new host family for laws in your new destination state.

VACATION

Vacation for a 6 month extension is 6 days.

Vacation for a 9 and 12 month is 2 weeks.

TRAVEL

Check on the expiration date of your visa. If it expires before your second year starts then you should not travel outside of the USA – there is a risk of not being able to return (Canada, and Mexico and contiguous islands are okay to travel to). With the exception that if you return home during your first year after your approval for extension, you can get your visa renewed for another year. You must ask the agency (contact Evelyn Blum) for the paperwork required for this renewal.