5 Goals to Achieve Before Your Adventure Ends!

If you’re reading this, you’ve just started your amazing adventure in the U.S., or maybe you’re getting ready to go, congrats! But here’s the thing I wish someone told me on day one: your time here flies faster than you think. You blink, and suddenly you’re packing your bags to go home.

When I first arrived, I wasted a lot of time just waiting for things to happen. Don’t be like me! This is your chance to really grow! Decide what you want to learn and experience and chase it. This isn’t just a year of taking care of kids, it’s your personal development year. Make the most of it! 

Below are 5 ideas for goals you can set to achieve while you are in the U.S. Think about what you want to achieve and write down 5 realistic goals you have so you can revisit them at the end of your program and see how far you’ve come!

1. Master a New “Adulting” Skill

You are living with a new American family and taking care of children, and navigating a new country. You are an adult! So, let’s make sure you leave with a skill that shows it.

  • Cooking: Ask your host parents to teach you how to bake a perfect American pie, or learn to make a complex meal from your home country to share with them.
  • Open Communication: Living with a new family comes with challenges. Your goal is to learn to communicate your needs, expectations, and feelings clearly—this skill is absolutely essential for a smooth year but also for life in general!
  • Budgeting: Practice budgeting your stipend and saving for things you want to experience while in the U.S. or to set aside some money for your plans after your program is over.

Talk to your host family; they are usually excited to teach you how to be independent and successful.

2. One Trip or Sight You Always Wanted to See

You see all the pictures of people traveling to a new city and you may think ‘I want to go there too’. You might feel overwhelmed by all the places you could or want to visit. Whether your dream is to take a trip to another U.S. state or to visit a landmark in the state of your host family- pick one destination or sight that you always wanted to see and do your best to make sure it happens! Pick your ‘destination’, figure out the budget,discuss schedules with your host family, and book it now so you have something amazing to look forward to and to reward yourself with!

3. Take a Personal Growth Class

Remember that educational money you have? Don’t see it as homework, think of it as a ticket to meeting new people and learning something just for you! Use that opportunity for something that genuinely excites you, whether it’s photography, a business course, or just improving your English skills in a fun, academic setting. It’s an investment in your future!

4. Build a Connection Outside of Au Pair

Your au pair friends can be your sisters and brothers here, your family away from home. But to truly experience American culture, you have to talk to Americans! This goal is simple: Make at least one close American friend. Try joining a local sports team, volunteering at a shelter, or join a group to practice a hobby together. This gave me a real window into American life and traditions that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Plus, connecting with Americans will give you the opportunity to really pick up the English pronunciation and day to day language.

5. Create a Family Tradition That Lasts

The relationship you have with your host kids and host family is the most important part of this whole adventure. When you leave, you want to know you made a difference!

Your final goal should be to establish a tradition they will carry on after you leave. Here’s some ideas for what you can do:

  • Cook a special holiday meal from your country every year.
  • Start a “Friday Night Family Fun” ritual.
  • Create a simple photo album or scrapbook of your favorite moments together.
  • A previous au pair shared “My host family had an Au Pair Wall. At the end of each au pair’s program, they added a photo of the au pair with their kids.” You can gift your host family a photo of you with their family to start an Au Pair wall of their own!

Start writing down these five goals today! This is your adventure, and you get to decide how incredible it is. You got this!