Your role as an Au Pair: This is not something clearly defined by the regulations, and you have heard lots about it at orientation; but what you bring to your job as an Au Pair can make a tremendous difference in your year for both you and your host family. Your host family will expect that you will be attentive and creative with the children. What you do with them represents a year of development for them – a year is a long time in their young lives. If you need ideas for activities or discipline, ask your host parents for their advice. In many ways you are the eyes and ears for the parents – stay alert and share information with them. For preschool and school age children you may be the main link with the school. This communication is extremely important, and you will be expected to keep parents informed. When you are involved and the children are happy, everyone benefits – including you!

Role of the community counselor: Your counselor is available for information, counseling, mediation and for help with social activities (she can be a policeman, social secretary, mother, judge, mentor and a friend). She is there for both you and for your host family. Call during her regular office hours unless you are calling about a true emergency. If you get her voice mail, leave a message and she will call you back.
There are two things you must tell your counselor. They are if you have had a severe injury, or if you are in trouble with the law. The counselor would like to know about any accidents (car, personal, or those involving children), if there are any concerns with your host family, or if anything has happened which might make it impossible to complete your year.

Every month there will be a cluster meeting or cultural/social activity. It is expected that you will participate in these events. If you are unable to participate, you must call or e-mail your counselor to keep in touch with her – she needs to either see or hear from you at least once every month. Your host family is expected to provide transportation to and from cluster events.

Au Pair Hours: Au Pairs may work no more than 45 hours per week and no more than 10 hours per day. There is no “banking” of hours permitted; an au pair who works 30 hours one week does not “owe” the family 15 hours at a future time. The 45 hours is an absolute maximum and no “deals” should be made with the host family for extra work time. Au Pairs must have 1-1/2 days off each week, and one full weekend off per month, from Friday night to Monday morning. Holidays are usually work days, unless your host family tells you otherwise. Use them as a time to learn more about America and our celebrations. Any time, day or night, when you have sole responsibility for the children, it is considered working hours.
According to your visa, NO additional employment is allowed. This means no paid baby-sitting for neighbors, no paid housework for your host family, etc.

Household duties: The program expects that you will accept responsibility for child-related chores (keeping children’s rooms tidy, preparing and cleaning up from their meals, doing children’s laundry and tidying the toys). In addition, as a member of the family it is reasonable for you to help out when appropriate with other household chores.

Education: You are required to participate in educational courses equaling six credit hours (or 80 classroom hours) during your year as an Au Pair. Your host family and your counselor can help you find courses you are interested in. Courses can be taken mornings, evenings or weekends, depending on your work schedule. Your host family is responsible for transportation to and from the course. Please check with your counselor to be sure that your chosen course is acceptable. You must attend a college; adult community education courses are not acceptable. If you choose a daytime class you might have to miss class if a child is ill or during school vacation.

Money: It would be a good idea to open a bank account. Use your passport for identification. As a foreign visitor you should not need a Social Security Number to open an account. Think about budgeting your money to save for vacations and recreation. You may also have to pay a surcharge for your flight home. You would do well to try to have enough in the bank to cover your health insurance deductible and the car insurance deductible in the event of an accident (this should not exceed $250), and any income tax payments that may be due if you file a U.S. tax return. If you do not need this money for emergencies then you will have more money for travel at the end of your year! You are responsible for your phone bills, personal expenses (toothpaste, shampoo etc.) and any costs you may incur in your time off. Your visa does not allow you to be paid for any other employment.

Vacations: You are entitled to two weeks of vacation with pocket money during your year. If you take your vacation in days rather than weeks, it is 5 – 5-1/2 days of vacation per week. It is up to you to choose times to take vacation that are also convenient for your host family. Plan to take one week near the end of the first six months and the other week towards the end of your year.

If your family takes a vacation with the children that does not include you, and you are not taking your vacation at the same time, you must still receive your payment for that period of time. If you join the family on vacation and will be taking care of the children it cannot be considered your vacation and you must be paid. You are not responsible for your travel expenses if you are traveling with your host family and working. While away, ask for clear information about when you are working and when you are free. If the family invites you to join them on vacation, pays for your expenses, and does not require you to baby-sit; you should be prepared to take that time as part of your two weeks vacation.

Passport and Visa: Keep these in a safe place at home, do not carry them with you unless you are vacationing away from home. Please see “Visa Regulations” and “If You Are Traveling Outside the United States” for instructions on travel outside the country. If you are traveling on a very short notice, contact your community counselor. When you leave the country be sure to take your passport, DS-2019, I-94 and your AIFS Au Pair Identification Card.

Telephone: Long Distance phone calls made from the US are itemized on the phone bill. Cost of calling will depend on length of call and time of day the call is made, but generally they are very expensive. It is a good idea to purchase a prepaid telephone calling card, which you can use to make all of your long distance phone calls from a land line. Your host family may have house rules about the telephone – ask them.

US Postage: The amount of postage needed will depend on the weight of the letter or package.

Visitors: Before you invite anyone, either locally or from home, please be sure that your host family welcomes them in their home.

Safety: Never leave young children alone. For the few moments every day when you must, be sure they are in an absolutely safe environment. Ask you host family about proper use of car seats, child gates, etc.

We are concerned about your safety as well. Do not get into a car with a man who you have met only recently. Do not go to isolated places with people you don’t know well. When you go out at night you should plan to go with one or more friends, especially if you are going into the city. If you are planning to meet someone, always meet in a public place. Do not give out your address or phone number.

As you begin to meet new friends, you may develop close personal relationships. If you should choose to become sexually involved, you must remember that sexually transmitted diseases are serious concerns. Do not take any chances. Abstinence is the best protection; condoms are widely available, and probably offer the next best protection.

Car use: This is a privilege, which calls for a high level of responsibility. Make sure you discuss with your host family their expectations and restrictions on the use of the car. Learn the basic warning signs of mechanical failure; ask what to do in an emergency and in case of accident. Do not drink and drive. Watch the signs and obey speed limits! An open container of alcohol in a car is illegal. Pay attention to parking restrictions, parking tickets can be very expensive and cannot be ignored – the police will trace the car to your host family. Read your driver’s manual and learn the rules. If you are stopped by the police for a violation or because of an accident it is important to identify yourself as an “international visitor”. Rhode Island law allows international visitors to drive for one year with either an international license or a license from their home country.

Drinking and Drugs: The legal age for drinking or purchasing alcohol is 21 in this country. Drinking and driving is a serious offense. If you are over 21 and choose to go drinking with friends, choose one person who will not drink so they can safely bring everyone else home. An open container of alcohol in a car is illegal. Alcohol abuse and any use of illegal drugs are grounds for being terminated from the program and you will be sent home. Fake IDs are punishable by law by fine, imprisonment or both.

Tips for Success:
• Offer to help – when you are sharing “family time” help out when you can, especially at mealtime.
• Take initiative – don’t wait to be asked, anticipate children’s needs, think of new activities for the children
• Show appreciation – return the favors your family does for you with kindness and generosity
• Communicate – share your ideas, discuss cultural differences, ask questions when you don’t understand
• Have reasonable expectations of yourself – be patient as you learn to adjust to life in America
• Try to understand and accept cultural differences – that is part of why you came here; learn from the experience
• If you are feeling homesick or house bound call someone and give yourself something to look forward to
• Call your counselor when you need help or advice
• Ask about, and be sure you follow, the house rules
• Keep reasonable evening hours if you are expected to get up early to work the next day
• Remember that your host parents may be tired when they get home from work.