How to Deal With Homesickness
Homesickness is something almost everyone experiences, whether they admit it or not. This is both challenging and reassuring—while it means you’re likely to face it as well, it also means every other student who’s studied abroad has managed to make it through. So can you!
Everyone has their fair share of rough moments while studying abroad. Though it might not always be homesickness in the traditional sense, there may be days when you find yourself questioning why you’re in the middle of a foreign country while the rest of your life is back in the United States. If you ever feel homesick or start questioning your decision to study abroad, know that it’s completely normal—and it will pass! Reach out to a friend who has studied abroad before or someone in your program. Hearing that they’ve felt the same way, or are experiencing it too, can be reassuring and help you feel more understood.
Understanding the Emotional Impact of Studying Abroad
Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity, but one that can also bring emotional challenges. Being in a new environment far from home may leave you feeling out of place or longing for familiarity. It’s essential to recognize that these feelings are a natural part of the adjustment process. By understanding that homesickness is a shared experience, you can better equip yourself to handle it and embrace the journey ahead.
Here are some strategies to help prevent and manage homesickness:
Stay
Busy
This is the most straightforward remedy. Don’t spend hours in front of your laptop scrolling through Facebook, looking at photos of your friends back home. Staying in touch is good, but constantly wishing you were there isn’t helpful. There’s always something to do—an adventure, a task, an errand, or a project that needs your attention.
Keep Things
in Perspective
What you miss about home is likely an idealized version. Sure, your friends may be having fun at school without you, but don’t forget they’re also swamped with work and don’t get to travel to exciting new countries on the weekends like you do!
Stay
Social
Keep attending club meetings, playing sports, window shopping, and eating. Staying social is one of the best ways to combat homesickness, and the more social the activity, the better. Getting out and interacting with others will help keep your mind engaged and distracted from lingering feelings of homesickness.
Look
Forward to
What's Next
Focusing on plans can help you get through tough times. Knowing you’ll spend one weekend in Amsterdam and the next in Paris will likely motivate you! Even if you’re bogged down with work, remember it’s temporary. That paper you’re stressing over will be done soon, and before you know it, you’ll be standing in front of the Eiffel Tower or cruising down the Seine!
Avoid
Procrastination
We all procrastinate sometimes, but work may need to come first when you’re stressed. Organize your time and tackle your assignments head-on. Getting your work out of the way will ease your stress, and allow you to enjoy your experience more fully. Less stress means less homesickness.
Don't
Bottle Up
Your Emotions
The worst thing you can do is let yourself be upset day after day. Not only does it ruin your own experience, but it also affects those around you. That doesn’t mean you can’t express your feelings—talk about them! Share your concerns with fellow students, faculty advisor, study abroad coordinator, or host family. They’re there to help. Remember, it happens to everyone.
Make the Most of Your Time Abroad
Don’t let homesickness take over. You’re only abroad for a summer, a semester, or a year, and it will be one of your life’s fastest and most exciting times. Don’t leave with regrets because you spent too much time in your room feeling down. Homesickness is temporary, but the memories and experiences you gain abroad will last a lifetime. Embrace every opportunity!
