·        Withdrawal from the Host Family

·        Withdrawal from the Host Family, increased shyness or moodiness

·        Difficulty sleeping or eating

·        Feeling overly critical of the way Americans live

Since most symptoms of culture shock are not physical, it is sometimes difficult for a Host Family to understand what an Aupair may be going through. Each Aupair candidate should understand that there are many ways they can help themselves when experiencing culture shock. Staying busy is one of the best ways to cope with culture shock. An Aupair who establishes a daily routine that keeps him/her involved with other people has less time to think about the way he/she feels and more time to develop relationships and roots within he/her new community. Reaching out to other Aupairs who have experienced the same thing is another good way to survive this difficult period. Other Aupairs not only know what a new Aupair is going through, they are also proof that it is possible to get through it and have an enjoyable year.

Other strategies include:

·        Thinking about the future, making social and travel plans,

·        Doing something physical, like taking a walk, riding a bike or participating in an exercise class

·        Limiting calls home, frequent calls home often make the Aupair even more homesick

·        Sharing their feelings of homesickness and culture shock with the Host Parents, other Aupairs, and the Local Coordinator

Personality clashes

Just as in other situations involving two or more people, there is a chance that the Aupair and the Host Family will not have compatible personalities. Perhaps both the Aupair and the Host Mother are "leaders" and feel threatened by one another. Perhaps the children are out-going and active, but the Aupair is shy and quiet.

The best way to avoid personality clashes is before the year even begins. At the interview, it is essential to discuss the type of people an applicant is most comfortable with. How would he/she describe his/her own family members? How would he/she describe him/herself? How would he/she describe the personalities of his/her best friends? Knowing what kind of person he/she is most likely to feel comfortable with is an important step that will help the applicant determine if a Host Family is a good match. The applicant should be encouraged to explore this topic extensively with a Host Family during the telephone interview.

Aupair misconduct/inappropriate skills