Pengalaman Dewasa Awal Dalam Menghadapi Dilema Pengambilan Keputusan Mengikuti Program Au Pair ke Jerman

Emerging adulthood is a developmental stage characterized by identity exploration and important life decisions related to education, career, interpersonal relationships, and future planning. One decision increasingly considered by emerging adults is joining the Au Pair program as a means of cultural exchange and self-development. This study aimed to explore the experiences of emerging adults in facing the dilemma of deciding whether to participate in the Au Pair program in Germany. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, while data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed three major themes: expectations for self-development, dilemmas and uncertainty in facing change, and decision-making as a process of personal maturity. The findings indicate that the decision to join the Au Pair program is influenced by aspirations for personal growth, emotional considerations, and readiness to face change. This study is expected to contribute to the understanding of decision-making processes during emerging adulthood within the field of developmental psychology.