Matching Tips for your Extension Term
The matching system:
• Families, LCCs, and Cultural Care staff can all send connection requests.
• Each au pair and host family can have up to three connections. Pending connections count as a
connection, so be sure to accept or reject all pending connections within 24 hours.
• When a host family sends a connection request, be sure to carefully review the host family’s profile
before accepting or denying the request.
• Don’t be afraid to send the first email! If you connect with a family, send them an email introducing
yourself and asking to set-up a time to chat. Include times you are free within the next few days.
• If you do not hear back from a family within four days, send a second email telling them you are still
interested in speaking, but you will be disconnecting so other families can connect with you. Then,
disconnect from the family.
• Your last day to match is your last working day with your current host family. You should plan to join
your new host family on the next day.
Your matching profile updates:
• Profile photo: Change your profile photo every week! Families love colorful, smiling pictures with
children. Be sure to ask for permission before posting any pictures with your current host family.
• Location preferences: We require you to put at least three states in this section. The more states you
put, the more options you will have for a second-year host family. We do not have host families in
Hawaii and Alaska.
• Additional requests: Use this space if you have specific cities you want to live in.
• Personal growth: Add your first-year accomplishments, second-year goals, hobbies, what kind of bond
you created with your host family, what you learned in your first year etc.
• Second-year letter: This is a place to show your creativity and how much your English has improved.
Your letter can include things like:
• An introduction
• What makes you unique? (Do you swim, love to cook, play the guitar, etc.)
• What do you love about your current host family? Be sure to mention the children.
• Why should a host family choose you as their au pair?
• Videos: Your English improved in your first year, so re-record your videos.
• Photo gallery: Update your photos with fun, bright pictures from your first year! Be sure to ask for
permission before posting anything with your current host family.
• Home life preferences: Are you open to different types of families? Would you be open to taking care of
different ages? Remember, you can only take care of children under 2 if you are Infant Qualified.
• Driving: Update your driving experience if you have been driving in the U.S. If you do NOT have your
state driver’s license right now, you can update this section when you do get your driver’s license.
• Travel: Add any new travel experiences to your profile.
• Swimming: If your swimming skills improved, update your profile.
• Remember, you can edit and update any of these sections at any time while you are looking for a new
host family.
Things to keep in mind:
• If you plan to drive for your extension term, you must get a state driver’s license. You should apply for a
state driver’s license if you have not already.
• If you are already Infant Qualified, you do not have to take care of children under the age of 2 in your
second year—but keep in mind that many Cultural Care families have children under the age of 2 and
being Infant Qualified will open the door to more potential matches.
• If you do not get a connection request for a week, please call 800-333-6056, or reach out to the
Extension Matching team.
• New York and California are two of the most expensive places to live in the United States.
• If you are looking for a specific schedule, or access to a car, do not put this in your matching profile.
Many families have curfews and limit access to cars for first-year au pairs. Do not disconnect from a
family if they do not meet your extended criteria—talk to them about your expectations for your second
year in your interview.
• You do not need to renew your Visa for your extension year if you are not planning on leaving the U.S.
• A Matching Specialist will still be working with you in your second year. Cultural Care also hosts a
Matching Webinar once a month.
• If you do not find a family, Cultural Care will still pay for your flight home at the end of your first year or
at the end of your travel month. The $395 extension processing fee is nonrefundable after we have sent
your application to the Department of State.
• If you are flying to your new host family, you will be responsible for paying all baggage fees.