Is your Au Pair Suffering from Culture Shock or Depression

Culture Shock is a phenomenon that can occur when a new au pair arrives at your home. The difficulty adjusting to a new environment can cause a multitude of symptoms: problems sleeping; eating disturbances; mental fatigue; a delay or refusal to speak English and a desire to return home. Au pairs experience culture shock in varying degrees when they arrive. Most au pairs adjust quickly and are excited to meet the challenges of their new culture and all that is has to offer. A significant number never adjust and they usually return home soon after their arrival due to a number of reasons.

Au pairs who are experiencing culture shock after a month or so may react with frustration, confusion and intense homesickness. These difficulties may present themselves as minor physical complaints: headaches, stomach aches, colds, sudden weight loss or weight gain. Other symptoms can include anxiety and feeling disoriented and intense homesickness - all elements that can lead to a depression.

If your au pair continues to complain about little things that upset her, about the family or the USA in general, calls her parents back home multiple times a day and is generally unhappy and sad, she may be suffering from extreme culture shock. This can result in your au pair's inability to do her job well and she may not be able to concentrate or have enough energy to fulfill even the most simple of tasks.

Signs of depression are sadness, crying, isolation from others and feeling "blue" all the time. Call your agency and ask them for advice and possibly arrange for your au pair to be evaluated by a doctor. Don't ignore the signs of an severe reaction to culture shock. Don't try to play therapist, instead have her seen by a professional for your peace of mind and for her well-being. She is in your care so make sure you treat her the way you would want someone to treat your daughter if she was in the same situation.

See the entire article posted at our website: Aupairclearinghouse.com under Let's Talk Au Pairs titled "Is Your Au Pair Experiencing Culture Shock or Depression?"

Edina Stone