Everything is shit pls kill me

50 Questions to Ask Potential Host Families

adventurous-anzy:

Inspired by a question I received today, here are some ideas for questions to ask potential host families! You don’t have to ask them all, obviously, only the ones that are important to you. Hopefully this will be helpful to new au pairs (and maybe even to rematching au pairs as well). Use it as a checklist before accepting a job offer, make sure you know what you’re getting into, and try to come up with some questions of your own too.

The most important thing to remember when you’re looking for a host family is what YOU want. Know what your own priorities are, and the areas where you can compromise, and then look for a family that will really be a good match (rather than accepting the first offer that comes along). Best of luck to all of you!

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Host Family Questions (10/12/2014 9:50pm)

myaupairinamericaexperience:

I have just put together a list of questions to ask over Skype with families during the first meeting with them. I think it’s important to have at least 2 calls so you have time in between to think over your decision and think of any other things you wish you’d asked them. I’ve split my questions into two interviews, the first is mainly focused on the kids because they’re the most important part and the au pair schedule, whereas the second is based more around what you will be allowed or not allowed to do. 

Remember when you Skype a family that it’s important to smile! 

Au Pair Questions

First Interview:

• How many children do you have?

• What are all of your names?

• How old are the children?

• What do the children like doing?

• What qualities do your children possess?

• What games do your children like to play?

• What foods do they like?

• What are their likes and dislikes?

• Are there any things I should be aware of, such as foods they dislike or fears?

• What are your children’s greatest strengths and weaknesses?

• Do any of the children need medication or have any additional needs?

• Are their things for the children to do in the area such as parks?

• What are your hobbies and interests as a family?

• How does your family spend a typical weekend?

• How do your children feel about having an au pair?

• Do you know any other au pairs in the area?

• Why did you decide to have an au pair?

• Have you had an au pair before?

• Did you have any problems with your previous au pair? And is there anything we can do to ensure we don’t have the same problem?

• Are you close to other members of your family?

• Do they live nearby?

• What will my Au Pair Schedule be?

• Could you give me an example of a typical day?

• Am I required to do any household jobs?

• Am I required to cook for the children or the family?

• Will I be required to drive?

• How far away are the children’s schools and activities?

• Do you have any pets?

• Does your family follow a religion?

• What is your work schedule like?

• What would you say your parenting style was?

• How does your family discipline your children?

• What kind of relationship do you want to have with an au pair?

• Would I be able to talk to the children?

Second Interview:

• How do you feel about me going out during the week?

• Will I have a curfew?

• Will their be any house rules to follow?

• Will there be any restrictions on weekends?

• Is it possible to speak to or email your previous au pair?

• What is my room like and where is it in relation to the other rooms of the house?

• Will I have use of the car on my days off?

• What is the area you live in like?

• Are there lots of things to do there?

• How far is the nearest town/bus stop?

• What kind of food do you eat?

• Do the children eat with the family?

• Do your family travel/go on holiday?

• Where do you spend holidays?

• Will hours change while on holiday?

• Will the hours change during the school holidays?

• Will I be required to babysit? How often?

• Does the house have internet access?

• Am I allowed friends round?

• Are there many local colleges?

• How far away are they?

• How will I travel there?

• What are your favourite and least favourite things about where you live? 

celapretty:

Advice for your year abroad:

1. be with natives.
   You won’t learn the language neither the culture if you are only with people out of your home country
2. don’t stay home when you are sad, go out, even if you are alone
3. try to make many friends at the beginning. don’t stick with only one person (you don’t want to be dependent from him/her)
4. homesick? don’t sit constantly on skype. It might make it better for a short while, but actually you are missing a lot of opportunities to make friends, to make experience and eventually you are still not happy.
   And this is definitely not that what you want.
5. make a todo list of things you want to do
6. no one knows you in this new country, and city. you can be every person you want to be.
7. hang out with people you might not wanted to hangout with at home. you may not like that person that much, but they probably have some other friends. and maybe you are liking them?
8. you can do everything you want. everything. you are staying only for a year. ponte loca!
9. make a todo list before you arrive. so you know what you can do when you are bored.
10. it is def okay to stay at home and don’t experience anything for a weekend ;)
11. try new things. don’t commit only to your habits from home (food etc.)
12. go alone to language meetings in your city. there are plenty.
    go even alone. you will get to know so many people
13. don’t wait for other people to talk to you
14. write diary!!! there are so many things you don’t want to forget
15. fotos. make fotos.
16. don’t worry. after one bad week, there is always a good week afterwards. always. promise.

Wanderlust Resources: Great Websites for Living Abroad

passport-life:

Here’s just a few of the websites I use to help me travel, live and work abroad. These are great resources that have helped me A LOT A LOT A LOT.

• Lingobongo.com
  
• What it is: classified ads for Berlin, Madrid, and Barcelona. Find jobs, apartments, language exchange partners, etc
• Wantedinrome.com
• What it is: classified ads for Rome. Find jobs & apartments 
• Bebe-nounou.com
• What is is: Find nanny/au pair jobs in France. EXCELLENT. I used this in Paris. Don’t be discouraged by it being in French. Pull up Google Translate in a diff window, and become a premium member (6 euros for 1 month, roughly $8). WORTH IT
• Skyscanner.com
• What it is: Flight search, and one of the best. Almost always has the cheapest prices but always cross-reference with other sites like Kayak.com and Cheapoair.com  (dont bother with Orbitz or Priceline)
• Aupairworld.com
• What it is: Find families to Au Pair for, also can be used to find students for private English teaching. I’ve written a lot about this because it is the best Au Pair service ever. Don’t bother with premium - you’ll get contacted by families. 
• Transitionsabroad.com
• What it is: Mash up of resources for every type of travel - from farm work, studying abroad and volunteer work to culinary travel. This is what I used when I decided to move abroad for the 1st time - it’s how I discovered Au Pair work.

maybe if im under enough blankets, the Responsibilities wont be able to find me

homojabi:

“So what are your goals for 2017?”

ari: *thinks about how beautiful/perfect dante is all the time*

ari: *jumps in front of a moving car for dante*

ari: *kisses dante back*

ari: *gets overly invested in who dante is kissing*

ari: *beats the shit out of anyone who hurts dante*

ari: "what do you MEAN i'm in love with dante???"