Loneliness and Homesickness Hat 1
Turned Loneliness Into Connection
Two months after my first overseas move, it was my birthday. Back home, the day was dominated by cousins huddled in the living room, my mom's cooking, and my dad's terrible but endearing singing. When I woke up in this quiet apartment, I saw multiple "Happy Birthday" texts from different time zones. I still had the entire day ahead of me, even though everyone at home had gone to bed by nine in the morning.The reason I used some of my "coping strategies" was not because I wasn't depressed, but rather because I didn't want to spend the day feeling that way. It would have been easy to just browse social media and let the day pass.
You see, one small change in habits makes difference to you, here what I did,
Organizing for Tough Days
A week before my birthday, I casually mentioned it to a classmate and asked if she wanted to grab coffee. That first step led to her inviting two more people, and soon I had a small group of friends who were excited to meet up. That day, we ended up having dessert together at a campus café. Even though it wasn't the same as home, but I felt seen.
Preserving a Positive Relationship with Home
Instead of video calling my family all the time and feeling worse, I set aside a certain time in the evening to talk to them. This gave me something to look forward to and allowed me to enjoy my day here.
Becoming a Member of Organizations and Clubs
Earlier that month, I became a member of the university's culinary club. That weekend, they just so happened to have a potluck. In the end, I told five different countries about a simple dish I made at home that reminded me of my mother's kitchen. That night I came home with leftovers, new friends, and a feeling that there were aspects of my heritage in my new life.
Building a "Second Family"
These small conversations added up. Throughout the months, I started hosting "cultural swap" dinners, where each attendee brought a dish from their home country. Over time, these friends became my go-to people for late-night tea, last-minute advice, and even airport trips.
Moral of the story,
How to Deal with Feeling Alone in a New Culture
Stay in touch with home by making video calls, sending photos, and keeping traditions alive online.
Plan for tough days ahead by setting up a gathering or special activity so the day doesn't go by without being noticed.
Join groups and clubs. Cultural, interest-based, or volunteer groups give you communities that are already there.
Rituals for Personal Comfort – Small things you do every day, like making your favorite meal or watching a family movie again, can help you feel more grounded.
Don't be afraid to say how you feel; other people might be going through the same thing.
How to Make a "Second Family" in Another Country
Your "second family" is not a replacement for the one you have at home. It is made up of friends, classmates, mentors, and neighbors who are there for you through good times and bad.
Even if you're shy at first, say yes to coffee, study groups, or events.
Invite people to learn about your customs; food is often the best way to do this.
Moving a friend, celebrating their achievements, or just checking in can turn acquaintances into lifelong friends.
Through deliberate actions and shared experiences, homesickness lessens over time rather than all at once. Every conversation you initiate, every group activity, and every coffee date plants a seed. You'll realize that you've made a life here with people who are like family and are no longer just "visiting."
