Homesickness is one of the biggest challenges that most of the international students face most especially when studying in a place that is unfamiliar to them and is far from their friends and families. This translates to the fact that many students learn that as much as they adapt to the new academic environment, culture, language and lifestyle it may be encouraging and at the same time challenging. Comfort craving is termed as homesickness, which is the struggle to adapt, a desire of being at home. In the case of the international students, it is therefore important that homesickness is managed in order to allow the students to excel academically and personally. This article provides a number of approaches that can be used to help learners deal with homesickness and have an enjoyable time overseas.
Recognise Your Emotions
The first and by far the most important thing you must do is to notice that you are actually homesick. Feeling homesick is very common due to change of environment and this is common in the first few days or weeks after arriving at the new nation. These feelings grow bigger over time. You can only suppress and not eliminate these feelings by avoiding and shying away from relationships. Instead, accept that you can feel homesick once in a while since it is part of adjustment. If you accept the fact that it is only temporary you can focus on the positive aspects of the new environment and give yourself enough time to adjust emotionally.
Stay Connected
When you are confused on how to deal with homesickness, take time to call or write to your friends and family, even if it is only to say ‘hello’. With an influx of modern communication technology, it is now easier to still communicate with people back at home. Social media messaging, texting or even teleconferencing calls or other group communications can be comforting and refreshing. If you share with other people back home some of the things that you go through, you may not feel so all alone in this world.
Make a Home Away From Home
Changing houses is another reason this phenomena of homesickness occurs due to the conspicuous difference between the new house and the one left behind. You should then try and add some warmth to your living space in an effort to address this. Consider frame photos, pictures or posters that remind you of your hometown or bring out the feel of your city. The truth is that you always have something from home when you are in a strange place – a pillow, for instance, or a blanket.
Keep Busy and Participate
Boredom is actually the best way of overcoming homesickness as it will keep one busy to avoid thinking of home. It is very easy for these feelings to overwhelme you. If you have some engagements that will keep you busy sometime after that, then you will have little time to think about what you missed.
Make New Friends
Making friends is another way of dealing with homesickness because one has to make new friends when he or she assumes a new place. What might seem overwhelming at first is that as an immigrant, you create a network of social support in your new nation and it is good for your mental and emotional health. Perhaps it could be very comforting that all the international students are in the same position having experienced a shift. This is because they can understand you and also help you since they share the same experience.
To sum up, homesickness is quite common among International students. It need not, however, consume your time in other areas, especially if some of the other times are provided by your employer. In essence, One can overcome homesickness and derive optimum benefits of the overseas study programme by acknowledging the feelings of homesickness. You will know how to deal with homesickness by keeping in touch with the family and friends, building friendship with new people and trying to emerge in the culture of the new country. Remember that one day, you will become accustomed to the new environment and do know that homesickness is just temporary. Think about the positive things that life has to offer, do not deny help when needed and also embrace change since it is a form of growth. Eradicating homesickness is an important process in the process of becoming of learning abroad.
