Dealing Homesickness and Loneliness Hat
At first, leaving behind family, friends, and familiar places can make you feel alone. It's normal to miss home, but if you have the right attitude and habits, it will be easier to deal with and you may even get stronger as a result.
Keep in touch with loved ones, but don't go overboard.
Set up regular video or phone calls with family and friends back home. It will make you feel better without getting in the way of your new routine.I knew a student who set up a Zoom call for their family on Sunday nights. It gave her something to look forward to every week, but it also let her focus on her new life during the week.
Make a "second family" in another country
The friends you make while traveling often become your best support system. Get involved in clubs, student groups, or volunteer groups.After going to a campus festival, I got to know a group of international students well. We celebrated birthdays together, which made me feel less homesick.
Make New Traditions and Routines
People often feel homesick the most during holidays and birthdays. Make new traditions with your roommates or classmates.
One friend missed Diwali at home, so she threw a small party with friends from the area, decorating with candles and sharing food. It changed loneliness into connection.
Take care of your health and yourself
Getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising all help with stress and loneliness.
Many campus mental health services offer free counseling for students, so use them.
A student I knew started running every morning. It made him feel better and helped him meet new people in the park.
Find things to do and stay busy
The more you do, like go to class, join clubs, or travel around your area, the less time you have to think about how homesick you are.I remember a friend who would go to nearby towns on the weekends. It kept her busy and gave her stories to tell her family back home.
Homesickness doesn't mean you're weak; it means you have strong roots. As time goes on, the new country will start to feel like a second home, and the friends you make will make the trip worth it.
