Thanksgiving break has gone by so quickly and whilst it was lovely visiting family, it really has made me miss home! Suddenly I feel really sad and alone. Probably because I am stuck on an eight hour bus journey back to college and listening to some ever so depressing music! It is difficult with the distance and not being able to see your close family and friends, especially when almost everyone is surrounded by theirs.
Whether you are on the other side of the country, or the other side of the world, here are a few suggestions to make you feel better if you suddenly get that urge to just go home:
- Remember why you are away from home. Even though it seems really difficult now, when you look back at this time of your life, you will really miss it and wish you were still here!
- Make a countdown of the number of days until you go home. Whether it’s Christmas or the end of the year, it really is not that long until you return.
- Skype a friend/family member. It will make you feel much better just to hear their voice and see their face.
- Do something to take your mind off the homesickness. Bake a cake, go to a fitness class or watch a film! The more you think about it, the more homesick you will get.
- Do not sit in your room alone! Go out and have fun with friends. If you have finals, study with friends in a library. Make the most of the people you have with you and the short time you are away. Sometimes talking to another international student can help you get through it, especially since they are in the same position. If you are finding it difficult to make friends, join a club or go to social events around campus/town.
- Speak to an advisor/counselor. They will remind you that it is okay for you to feel homesick and will offer you further solutions on how to overcome it.
- If you are in a country with a new language and find the language barrier a problem, speak to a teacher and see if you can get some extra help.
- Remember, it is perfectly normal for you to feel this way- having spoken to several international students, they told me that the third month was the hardest. It is perfectly human for you to feel this way, as it happens to most people. Even if you do not consider yourself to be really close to your friends and family at home, it is only natural for you to go through this cycle of feelings.
Think about how lucky you are to have an opportunity as such. You are living away from home, exploring the world, learning in a new environment and different culture. Only a select few have the option to undertake such an amazing experience or challenge. Remember, we are all in this together and you are not the only person feeling this way.
Do not dwell in loneliness and make the most out of the friendships you make.