There's no doubt that studying abroad is an amazing experience for any student. Although it offers a lot of personal and professional opportunities, it can also be tough to live alone in a new country. Already it is hard being a student, and moving away from home for university is a big enough transition to make anyone feel homesick.
Although feeling homesick is very normal, it can surely dampen your enthusiasm for a new beginning. So, to help you enjoy your time abroad, the following are some tips that will de-stress you and bring you closer to dealing with homesickness while studying abroad.
Tips on how to overcome homesickness while studying abroad
1. Keep yourself busy:
Isolating yourself and spending all the time in the comfort of your room can make your feelings more intense and homesickness much worse. One of the best things you can do is step outside, get some fresh air and keep yourself as busy as possible. Plan day trips, study your course, and get to know your surroundings.
2. Keep in touch with home:
Be it audio calls or video calls, keeping in touch with family and friends will help you close the gap and make you feel more involved with things back home. Have a quick chat but don't spend all your time in it as it could only make you feel worse.
3. Send handwritten letters and postcards:
Sending postcards, letters, and small gifts to family and friends back home will make you feel more connected to them.
4. Explore your new surroundings:
As you are in unfamiliar surroundings, the best way to deal with homesickness while studying abroad is by making yourself familiar with your new surroundings. Go out and explore the campus and the city to make it feel more like home.
5. Exercise:
If you're feeling down, then try going out on a run, work out or join a gym nearby. It will effectively take your mind off things and help you maintain your health. It will also brighten your mood and keep you on track.
6. Do things you did back home:
Being halfway across the world, away from family and familiar things can drastically change your daily routine. To tone down homesickness while studying abroad, you can go for brunch with friends on Sundays, make your mom's famous dish, join a club or take up your favourite hobby.
7. Write down how you're feeling:
Writing can be a real stress buster. To cope with homesickness while studying abroad, you can write about your feelings and experiences in a journal and make a list of tasks that you want to accomplish. It can help you feel less stressed and anxious.
8. Dive into your books:
Try to set up a productive routine by making study plans for each week. Make a planner or join a study group and look for comfortable study spots around the campus of your accommodation. It will keep you busy and help cope with homesickness while studying abroad.
9. Bring back familiar objects that remind you of home:
Be it your favourite soft toy or blanket, bringing a familiar object will make you feel closer to your home and loved ones.
10. Plan a nice day for yourself:
It is necessary to stay positive, especially when you have moved abroad alone. Do activities that make you happy, socialise with people around you, and plan your day as a self-care time out.
With these tips, students are in for a great time living away from home whilst dealing with homesickness while studying abroad.
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