u/Strange_Possibility3

Hi everyone, I really need your advice because I have until tomorrow to make a big decision and my rematch ends this Friday. I have two options and I’m completely torn. Here is the reality of each:

​Family 1 (Here in Washington State - 2 child):

​Pros: I stay in the state I love. They are offering to advance my vacation pay right now, giving me nearly a month off to go to Brazil and work on my thesis (TCC). The mom wants me be very flexible, and if I help keep the messy house organized, she will pay me extra.

​Cons: The house is currently very messy. The child is older, speaks very fast English, and wants to play complex games (inventing adventures, learning math). It requires a lot of energy and communication, and I am a calmer person. I also have to drive her to activities. I’m afraid the daily routine will be mentally exhausting for my quiet style.

​Family 2 (Pennsylvania - 2 kids: a baby and a 2-year-old):

​Pros: The house is very clean and organized. A friend of mine who lives there said the family is great and they buy everything you need at the grocery store. They follow all the rules and respect my calm personality. The job is more routine-based (feeding the 2-year-old, giving formula to the baby). It's physically tiring but mentally quieter, and she guaranteed I can safely present my TCC.

​Cons: I would have to move out of WA and start right away (no trip to Brazil now). Also, the current au pair is leaving because she thinks caring for two kids is too much work. The kids are well-behaved, but it’s still two small children to care for.

​I am so stressed. Washington gives me a trip to Brazil and 1 kid, but the daily life seems mentally exhausting and messy. Pennsylvania gives me a calm, organized house and a routine that fits my quiet personality, but it is more physical work with 2 kids and no trip to Brazil. What would you do?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently in a very stressful situation and need some advice. I’ve been with my Host Family for a short time, and things have been difficult. They have been very rigid with my 45-hour schedule (not even allowing a minute's delay for a coffee), yet they tried to ignore their own Host Family Handbook when it came to my benefits.

Recently, they told me that my upcoming holidays would be unpaid, even though their handbook says holidays are off and doesn't mention any pay deduction. They also hesitated to reimburse me for transportation (Uber) I paid out of pocket before I had their card. When I professionally pointed out these inconsistencies and said I was disappointed that things weren't organized as agreed, they claimed I was being "disrespectful" and initiated a rematch.

My LCC just told me that if I don’t find a new family within the 14-day transition period, I am responsible for paying for my own flight back to Brazil. The problem is, I haven't been here long enough to save that kind of money. My stipend is only $215/week.

Is it legal or standard for the agency to force me to pay for my flight home when the rematch was caused by the family’s failure to follow the program rules and their own handbook? Has anyone dealt with this before? I feel like I’m being penalized for standing up for my rights.

I am also a university student back home and really need to resolve this so I can focus on my finals/thesis. Any advice on how to talk to the agency or if I should contact the Department of State would be greatly appreciated.