How will I meet people? Will my host kids like me? Dutch people are very direct! Will I understand their English accent?
I know you have millions of questions about how the first few days in your new home will be ” so did I. With so many new changes at once you’ll need some time to adjust, but the transition will be easier than you think!
Arriving in the Netherlands
HBN makes sure that you will arrive well, so your host family will pick you up at the airport and in the beginning everything can be so different, but trust me, you will be fine!
Meeting Your Host Family
During your first week, your host parents will teach you some of their routines and schedules, familiarize you with the neighborhood, and you will begin to learn about your host kids. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything right away – Your host family is aware that there is a lot of information to process and some adjustment time is needed for both of you. Try to spend as much time as you can getting to know each other, and don’t forget to read and use your au pair manual as a starting point!
One of the best parts of this program is cultural exchange, so your host family will be happy to help you to work on your English/Dutch while you teach them some words in your language too. Communication is key to a successful placement, so don’t hesitate to ask questions!
Meeting HBN agents
One of the agents will contact you the first week. She will also talk to you about other Au pairs in your area and make sure that you are feeling comfortable and happy to be with the host family. The agent will also clarify about some arrival duties that you still need to follow up in order to have everything right according to Dutch immigration. She will also add you to the Au pair whatsapp group, so you can introduce yourself and start getting to know new friends.
HBN prepares a welcome meeting where you will be able to meet the agents and also make new friends. Even though you have childcare experience you’ll still learn valuable things at the HBN welcome meeting like how to experience living with a Dutch family, culture and their style of caregiving.
You will also receive your welcome package, a lot of tips and have fun tasting some Dutch snacks!
There will be a lot to learn and take in during your first few days, but your host family and HBN are there to help. You will soon settle in and be ready to experience the most amazing year of your life. Be patient, Rome was not built in a day!
