For both home and international students, homesickness is a natural feeling once you settle into university. For some, it hits in the beginning, as you wave goodbye to your family or step into your accommodation for the first time. For others, it might hit later, perhaps while eating dinner or once you’re done unpacking your stuff.
Here are some things I would suggest as an international student to help cure your homesickness.
Embrace It
Firstly, if you feel homesick, let it all out! Know that people around you are likely feeling the same, and it’s natural to feel this way. Don’t let it stop you from going around, meeting new people, and experiencing the place you’re in, but allow yourself to take a break if you need to.
Snacks and Food
Your first week in university is likely to be your busiest, so make sure you stock up on enough snacks and food to fuel you! I found that bringing instant meals or snacks from home were not only really quick to make and eat, but also helped cure homesickness. I would often call my friends from home or family while I was eating to catch up and help me feel better.
Keep in touch
While it is important to make friends in university, dropping your friends and family a couple of texts is really important. Moving to university is a new, unique experience, and keeping in touch with people brings a feeling of familiarity that is extremely helpful to have. Plus, you’ll have tons of new things to talk about!
Room Decor
This may seem a bit odd, but the way you decorate your room can be a major factor affecting how you feel. It’s important to create an environment that feels like home, that you are excited to come back to. Light the same scented candle you did back home, organise your clothes the same way you normally do, and have some pictures of your friends and family printed out to make you feel like your room is truly your space.
Take care of yourself
Homesickness is likely to take over when you don’t have anything to do with your time. It is also especially rough when your first semester in university is during the greyest, darkest months. Looking after your mental health is crucial. Make new friends, listen to music, or engage in activities that take up enough of your day and make it worth being away from home.
Remember, homesickness is extremely natural, and it can take months to feel better or get used to being away from home. But by taking care of yourself and actively participating in university, you learn to make it a home away from home.
If you are still looking for your perfect space, make sure to check out the AFS website.
