Tackling Homesickness as International Students

As we're getting closer to the holiday season here in the U.S., I, as well as many other international students, experience homesickness.

Just a heads up before we dive into the post, the tips I'm sharing are totally based on my personal experiences from studying abroad over the past 6 years. They've worked for me, but keep in mind that what works for one person might not work for another. So, take it all with a grain of salt!

What is homesickness?

As defined by Cambridge Dictionary, "homesickness" refers to feelings of unhappy when a person being away for a long period of time, which is a common thing that international students. I suffer from homesickness from times to times, especially during the holiday season which motivates me to write this post, so I can help others who are feeling the same. Let's start with the first tip on the list!

1. Embrace the culture!

Being so far away from home, holidays, when families gather, can make international students feel lonely. Despite being away from home for quite a long time, I still feel homesick and lonely, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas time. Eventually, I realized that one way to tackle the homesick monster is to embrace the new culture. In other words, I think it's a good idea to spend time with your favorite people! Celebrate the holiday with them and maybe with their family too if you are invited! By immersing yourself in the culture, you feel less alienated, and these holidays can be one of your many precious memories that will put a smile on your face in the future.

2. Call your favorite person

If you miss your family (or friends), call them! It's as simple as that! I find that calling my family, even though we don't have anything significant to update each other, can be a boost of serotonin. For me, it definitely makes me feel less homesick after the call. If it's not convenient for you both to call each other, just text! We're in the prime time of technology after all.

3. Take a break from social media

Social media posts can act as a constant reminder that you are lonely and add to your homesickness. So, if it gets overwhelming, turn them off! Take a break from social media and do something else like putting on your favorite TV show, cleaning your place (boring I know, but hey anything to distract yourself right?), and many more!

4. Hangout with other international students

It is as straightforward as it sounds! If you know another international student, invite them to hang out. They might be experiencing the same feelings as you are. You guys can potentially have a great friendship that you will treasure!

5. Travel!

If you can afford it, you can also travel! Holidays especially Christmas close to the end of the school year means a long break. You can travel back home or just go on a trip within the U.S.! Just make sure to get a travel signature from your school's DSO ahead of time, so you can re-enter the country later!

Thank you for reading!

I hope you enjoy my post! Let me know what you think about these tips and please share yours in the comment section. I'm eager to learn!