How do you cope with homesickness?

Question

I'm studying abroad next year, and am dreading it, particularly leaving my friends and my fiance back at home.

Has anyone else been through this experience, and if so, how did you cope?

Answer 1

That's a really good question.  I studied in Mexico - a long way from my Minnesota/Wisconsin roots.  At first it was just a blur of new activities, people, foods, smells.  When I started to settle in and some of the initial excitement wore off I became dreadfully homesick.  I was sure that something important was going to happen while I was away -good or bad.  

I remember one day sitting at the dinner table trying to be strong when I suddenly found myself crying into my Jell-O.  "What's wrong with her?" asked my Mexican-brother.  "She's homesick, she misses her family" said Mama lovingly and shooed him away.  I was starving for ANYTHING familiar at that moment.  I went upstairs to study and just happened to find an American music station on the radio.  

Those two little things - a caring gesture and a dose of Rick Springfield - were enough to keep me on track.  I knew that I'd be so disappointed in myself for giving up so early in the game, or giving up at all for that matter.  I mean, how many people get the privilege of living in a foreign country or having loved ones to miss in the first place?  

Enjoy it while you can, experience as much as you can, and don't take a moment of it for granted.  You'll be home all too soon and it will all have just been a memory.  One day you'll be telling some stranger about how much that time away meant to you and how it changed your life for the better.  

Good luck - embrace it!

Answer 2

I went away to college, which was about 2.5 hours away from home. I couldn't deal with the homesickness that I moved back home at the end of the quarter. But I did learn to be independent. If this was what you wanted you have to think positively and call home as much as you can and want to. You have to enjoy your time there but if you're by yourself a lot and don't know that many people, it is definitely going to be tough. That was my situation. Enjoy your time home and just remember to communicate when you're overseas. Good luck and have a fun time. You'll be okay. :)

Answer 3

Just focus on what your doing.  It's not so bad to be away from people.

And your studying abroad, I'd hardly call that being cut off from everyone.  Buy some nice stationary.  And if you will have internet access do some emailing/facebook/myspacing etc. and download Skype so you can talk to your people free.

Answer 4

well i am from California and i went to school in Maryland. to help me cope i got involved with school programs and events. i also talk to my friends and family everyday whither it was texting ,email , and calls. i also watched shows that i would watch at home this made me feel like at least somethings were the same.

good luck, have fun on your trip

Answer 5

something like that-

keep yourself busy- at first you might be a little homesick but just  suck it up and find something fun to do- hang out with friends- it'll be a big change, but don't make it a bad experience

my friend is studying with us from a different country- he joined a lot of programs in our school, and he has a lot of friends- even if it isn't exactly what he was looking for in america, he still had fun and at least you won't regret it- just make everything fun and positive for yourself

Answer 6

Hey,

Dealing with homesickness is one of the biggest problems students face when traveling far to attend a university/college. A different country is a lot more burdening then a couple of states away. You will be mingling with different cultures, each bringing bizarre foods, ideals, interests etc. I have been able to assert that homesickness kicks in the the late 2nd-3rd month of your studying abroad. I say this by experiencing the reactions of students around me and even myself.

We live in the technology age, use e-mail to your advantage. I constantly send e-mails loaded with pictures and stories to friends and families. When you feel down, ask your roomates or new friends to go out this way it takes your mind away from your hometown joys. I would ask my flatmates to go the the pub or simply ask them to show me the sites when I feel blue and dont have anywork to do. Once you break free from always thinking of home, you will have a heck of a time, take my word for it.

Hope this helps!! Take care and have fun!!!