The number of international students choosing to attend a university outside their home country continues to increase. Studying outside your home country is an exciting once in a lifetime opportunity but comes with the challenge of adjusting to a new country’s culture. Dealing with language barriers, strangers, and a completely new environment can cause discomfort and make you want to return home. This feeling is often referred to as homesickness, which can be defined as a feeling of unhappiness due to being away from home for a long period of time.
According to HSBC, 43% of international students feel homesick at least once a week, 50% believe their academic performance is negatively impacted from missing friends and family, and 40% are unable to get a good night’s sleep because they are away from home. Going back home on a whim is not a realistic option for international students. This is especially true now with the pandemic, as it is not guaranteed you will be able to return to the United States if you return home.
The transition to the United States is tough and requires resiliency to get through. However, there are many ways to overcome homesickness, enjoy your time studying abroad, and embrace learning a new culture. Here are 3 ways to help you deal with homesickness:
Stay in touch with people from home
It is important to stay in touch with your family and friends back home. Your loved ones play a significant role while you study abroad, as they will be your main support system. Having the opportunity to share your new experiences and let everyone know that you are doing okay should not be neglected. It can be a challenge due to different time zones and packed schedules but there are plenty of ways to make it work. Here are 3 different ways to stay in touch with family and friends while studying abroad:
Phone calls & video chats
The best way to keep in touch with your loved ones is to create a schedule that includes talking, messaging, and sharing photos. You can plan a time to talk to them through social media apps like Skype, WhatsApp, WeChat, and Facebook video/ messenger. Just keep in mind that keeping in touch with your loved ones too often can increase homesickness. Try to make an effort to call home around once a week to maintain that balance.
Send a postcard!
Sending a postcard may seem like a thing of the past, but it’s a great way to surprise someone from home. Postcards are an affordable way to send a loved one a souvenir from your new country. It may take some time for the postcard to reach its destination, but it will be worth making a loved one happy to receive your handwritten note.
Create a travel blog
Creating a travel blog is a great way to showcase your experience studying abroad! You can upload videos on YouTube or start a free website using Wix or WordPress. Share your blog on your social media platforms and inspire people to study abroad like you too. You can use other international students’ travel blogs for inspiration!
Explore & meet new people
As an international student, it is just as important to create new relationships as it is maintaining your existing relationships back home. Finding a group that you feel comfortable in is a huge help. This can include finding other international students like you, or a close group of people you share similar interests with. It’s totally up to you! Studying abroad gives you the chance to learn about a new culture and becoming friends with people from the US can help you get a better understanding of how things work. Need help finding friends? Here are 3 tips to help you build a support system away from home:
Have an open mind to new experiences and get involved
Though it may get overwhelming, always remember the reason you chose to study outside of your home country. Attending school in the U.S. is a once in a lifetime experience that exposes you to new people from many different backgrounds. Putting yourself out there and having an open mind to new ideas will make your experience more memorable.
As an international student, getting involved on campus may be the best way to better adjust to your new environment, as you’ll be developing useful skills for future job opportunities as well. Joining a club on campus can be a great way to meet people with similar interests as you, and eventually, give you connections to improve your overall college experience and make searching for a job much easier.
Find people with similar interests!
Take advantage of technology to expand your social circle. As an international student, it can be a challenge to meet new people who have similar interests as you. There are many social media apps that connect you to people who share the same ideals as you. Meetup is a popular app for international students that creates events open to everyone. There are many categories to choose from such as food and drink, music, art, books, sports, etc. Eventbrite is another platform that you can use to attend in-person or virtual events right in your area!
International student support
Many institutions offer resources for students. Your school may have an office to support international students. This gives students the opportunity to get involved and get to know international students who share similar experiences as you. Make sure to take advantage of the resources your school offers to make the most out of your international student experience.
Remember, you’re not alone.
Being away from home during the holidays can increase homesickness for international students. As Thanksgiving approaches and American students return home to their families, international students may feel left out especially due to travel restrictions caused by the pandemic. There are still ways you can celebrate all the things you’re thankful for. Gathering with a couple of friends or having a virtual Friendsgiving dinner can be a good way to enjoy the holiday with the company while experiencing the American culture celebration.
No one enjoys being homesick, but the feeling will eventually pass. Almost all international students will deal with the effects of being away from the place they know best. Know that you are not alone and there are international students all over the world who feel the same way you do. Your college experience will go by fast, so it’s important to make the most out of it.
Hear stories from international students on how they deal with homesickness:
- Commentary: An International Student’s Advice on Transitioning to SMU. – The Daily Campus
- Finding the Positive in Difficult Situations: International students conquer the challenges of COVID-19– International Student Organization
- I Decided Not to Go Home for the Holidays—But I’m Dreading Being Alone. – Condé Nast Traveler
- Understanding the Challenges of Returning to Class during COVID-19– International Student Organization
- How I beat homesickness, by an international student.– The Guardian
