Making friends in the US

Leaving your home country means saying goodbye to family and friends, and once you arrive in the U.S., you’ll likely want to find new people to connect with—whether to grab coffee, go shopping, explore your new city, or just relax. But adjusting to a new environment, culture, and language can feel overwhelming, especially in the beginning.

When you first arrive, it can be challenging to meet people—you’re in a new place, unfamiliar with the area, and still getting used to speaking English and navigating daily life. On top of that, the excitement of starting your journey may also come with moments of uncertainty as you settle into your new home away from home.

So how do you meet people and build a new group of friends?

Here are a few ideas and tips that might be helpful:

Connecting with other au pairs 

Your first chance to meet people will be at au pair training school, where you’ll be with others who are going through the same experience. Even if they don’t live nearby, staying in touch through social media or video calls can help you stay connected—and give you a friend to visit in another state!

Once you’ve settled into your host family’s home, your Local Coordinator will check in with you. This is a great time to ask for introductions to other au pairs in your cluster. You’ll also meet them at your Monthly Meetings, giving you a chance to connect with others who live nearby.

You can also use social media to find au pairs from other agencies in your area. Many Facebook groups exist for au pairs in specific cities or states, making it easy to introduce yourself and find new friends. Just be careful—only meet new people in public places, and never share personal details like your host family’s address or phone number.

Expanding Your Social Circles 

Some au pairs prefer to be friends with other au pairs because they share similar experiences and challenges. Others want to make local friends to practice English, learn more about American culture, or take a break from talking about au pair life. If many au pairs in your area come from the same country as you, it can be easy to only speak your native language. However, making local friends will help you improve your English and experience American customs more.

If you want to meet people outside of the au pair community, here are some ideas:

  • Use apps to meet locals
    Apps like Meetup and Nextdoor can help you find people with similar interests. Meetup organizes local events for hobbies like sports, board games, or trying new restaurants. Nextdoor connects you with neighbors and local activities. You can even post to see if others in your age group want to meet up.
  • Volunteer in your community – Helping others is a great way to meet people while doing something meaningful. Look for volunteer opportunities at schools, libraries, churches, hospitals, or animal shelters. Your host family or local representative may have suggestions.
  • Take a class
    Since you must take classes as part of the program, use this as a chance to meet local students. Enrolling in a course that interests you can help you connect with classmates and make new friends.
  • Go on playdates or outings
    If your host family agrees, take your host kids to local parks, playgrounds, or libraries. You might meet other caregivers, nannies, or parents while the kids play. You can also ask your host family for the contact information of their kids’ friends to set up playdates and connect with their families.

Moving to a new country and making friends can feel challenging, but stepping out of your comfort zone will help you feel more at home. Being open to meeting people will make your experience more enjoyable and help prevent homesickness. Take every chance to connect with others and enjoy your au pair journey!