Missing Home: How to Deal with Homesickness Abroad
Moving abroad is a dream for many, but it also brings challenges, such as learning how to deal with homesickness abroad. This feeling is a common and often difficult hurdle for many expats and international students.
In your initial weeks in a new country, the excitement and novelty of your environment will likely keep your mind busy. However, it's perfectly normal for homesickness to set in after this initial period.
This post is to help you cope with these feelings, whether you're working or studying abroad. You'll find that managing homesickness can be simpler than expected, and missing home is a universal experience.
Why Overcome Homesickness Abroad
Homesickness, if not managed, can lead to more serious mental health issues. It's important to address it promptly to maintain not only your emotional well-being but also your overall mental health.
In this post, we'll focus on how to deal with homesickness abroad. Taking action early can prevent them from becoming larger issues, enabling you to have a healthier and more enjoyable experience in your new environment.
While I'm not an expert, I personally faced this challenge when I studied abroad in Australia at the age of 16. I initially decided to go home because I couldn't cope with the homesickness. However, having lived abroad for over 5 years now, I've clearly learned the best ways to overcome homesickness.
What is Homesickness?
Homesickness, a common emotion for those starting a new life abroad, is a profound longing for the familiarity of home. It's not limited to international moves; even relocating within your home country can trigger it. This natural emotional response is often accompanied by an overwhelming feeling, arising from the absence of your usual social and physical environments.
However, addressing homesickness effectively is crucial to making life abroad easier. If left unattended, it can overshadow the potential joys and growth that come with living or traveling abroad. The good news is that overcoming homesickness is achievable. By recognizing it and taking proactive steps, you'll gradually adapt to and embrace your new surroundings.
How to Deal With Homesickness Abroad: Step-by-Step
1
Establish a daily routine
In your new life abroad, being out of your regular routine can trigger a wide range of emotions. One of the first steps in learning how to deal with homesickness abroad is to establish a daily routine. Creating a sense of normalcy and stability in your new environment is crucial, and this involves setting up a regular daily schedule.
2
Maintain connections with loved ones
Regular communication with family and friends back home through calls, messages, or video chats is a key part of how to deal with homesickness abroad.When I moved to Sweden from the Philippines, it wasn't necessarily the Philippines I missed, but my friends and family. Staying in touch with your loved ones is crucial and greatly helps in overcoming homesickness abroad.
However, it's important to find a balance, as spending most of your time communicating with people back home can prevent you from fully experiencing your new environment.
It's also important to understand and accept that there may come a time when you lose touch with some friends due to factors like time differences, communication methods, and changing priorities.
3
Connect with others
I'm really grateful for this blog because it has allowed me to meet so many people. Initially, my blog served as an outlet and played a significant role in connecting with others who are also living abroad.
Participating in local groups, classes, or social gatherings is a great way to meet new people and build a support network. Making new friends, especially those in similar situations, and discussing the challenges of living abroad is an effective strategy on how to deal with homesickness. Sharing experiences and coping strategies can make a big difference in managing these feelings.
4
Immerse Yourself in the New Culture
Adapting to a new environment and culture introduces unique challenges. However, take this as an opportunity to immerse yourself in the new culture. Embracing local traditions, foods, and customs can deepen your connection with your new surroundings.
It's natural to feel like a tourist in your new home at first, but it gets better over time! Eventually, you'll start to notice similarities with your own culture, and you may find that this new place doesn't feel so far from home after all.
5
Prioritize Physical Activity
One of the best strategies for how to deal with homesickness abroad is to prioritize physical activity.Engaging in exercises can significantly reduce homesickness by releasing endorphins, the 'happy hormones,' naturally boosting your mood.
Not only does it improve your mental health, but it also ensures you stay physically fit and healthy during your stay abroad. Neglecting your physical health can lead to a worsened mood and make coping with homesickness more challenging.
6
Set Aside Time for Yourself
Make sure that you set aside time for yourself; it's really important. Adapting to a new environment can be quite overwhelming, so having that little bit of time to yourself is crucial for balancing out the stresses.
Give yourself a break, a chance to breathe and recharge. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, reading a book, or taking a leisurely walk, this time should be dedicated to activities that help you unwind and feel centered again.
7
Personalize Your Living Space
Make your new accommodation feel like home by decorating it with personal touches and familiar items. Perhaps it's about hanging up some favorite photos of family and friends or draping that comfy blanket you love over the couch.
Even small things, such as placing a few cherished snacks or books around, can make a significant difference.
It's all about creating warm, familiar vibes that welcome you every time you walk in. Consider what makes you smile or brings back good memories and incorporate these elements into your space. In this way, no matter how far you are from your original home, you'll have a little piece of it with you. This transforms your new accommodation into more than just a place to stay; it becomes a sanctuary where you feel truly at ease.
8
Plan Visits Home
Having a future trip home to look forward to can provide comfort and a sense of connection. It's a comforting thought to hold onto, knowing that you'll be returning to your familiar surroundings, even if just for a short while.
This anticipation creates a bridge between your life abroad and your home country, maintaining that vital connection. It's not only about the visit itself but also about the excitement and joy of counting down the days until you can see your family and catch up with old friends. These little things can brighten your days, especially when you're feeling homesick.
I understand that, as part of learning how to deal with homesickness abroad, planning a trip home soon may not be easy for some due to personal circumstances like finances. However, even if it's a year or two after moving abroad, having a future visit to look forward to can still provide a significant boost in managing these feelings.
9
Reflect on Your Decision
Take a moment every now and then to remind yourself why you decided to make this big move abroad, as part of your strategy on how to deal with homesickness abroad. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day challenges and forget the bigger picture. Remember, you chose this path for a reason. Maybe it was for a new job, to study, or just for a change of scenery and adventure. Whatever your reasons, they were significant enough to bring you to this point.
Think about the opportunities that come with living in a new country. You’re experiencing a different culture, learning new things, meeting diverse people, and maybe even picking up a new language. It's all about growth and the unique experiences you can't get back home.
When homesickness creeps in, these reminders can be powerful. They help you to stay focused on the positives and the exciting journey you’re on. After all, this adventure is a chapter in your life that you're going to look back on and be proud of. So, cherish the experience, both the good and the challenging, because it’s shaping you in ways you might not even realize yet.
Best Tips to Deal with Homesickness When Living Abroad
- Learn the Local Language: Improving your confidence and feeling more at home can be achieved by learning the local language. Utilize learning apps like Duolingo or iTalki to grasp a new language, which is a key aspect of how to deal with homesickness abroad.
- Limit Social Media Usage: Spending less time on social media helps you stay present and engaged in your new environment. This practice is an effective strategy for managing homesickness abroad.
- Bring Comforts from Home: Keeping familiar items from your home country with you is one of the best methods for how to deal with homesickness abroad. These small comforts can make a significant difference.
- Set Goals for Your Time Abroad: Establishing specific objectives adds purpose and direction to your experience abroad. This goal-setting is a constructive way to handle homesickness while living in a new country.
FAQs About Feeling Homesick Abroad
How do I overcome homesickness in abroad?Overcome homesickness abroad by establishing a daily routine, staying connected with loved ones, engaging in local activities, and embracing the new culture around you.
How long does it take for homesickness to go away?The duration of homesickness varies; for some, it may take a few weeks, while for others, it could be longer, but gradually engaging with your new environment helps lessen it over time.
How do I stop feeling homesick?To stop feeling homesick, keep yourself busy with activities, explore your new surroundings, connect with new people, and remind yourself of the reasons why you're in this new place.
Final Thoughts: How to Overcome Homesickness Abroad
Mastering how to deal with homesickness abroad is a journey that differs for everyone, but it's undeniably an important part of adapting to life in a new country. Establishing a sense of familiarity through a daily routine can be comforting. Whether it's setting aside time for a morning run, journaling, or regular calls with family, these small acts of normalcy can create a significant impact.
Yet, it’s crucial to acknowledge that overcoming homesickness isn't just about keeping busy or ignoring your feelings. It’s about finding a balance between staying connected to your roots and embracing the new adventures that your new home offers.
In essence, learning how to deal with homesickness abroad involves a blend of maintaining connections with your past and opening yourself up to the new possibilities around you. With time, patience, and an open heart, what once felt like an unfamiliar environment can begin to feel like a second home.
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