Homesickness: How to cope
Written by Athena Potsos, a fourth year MEng Chemical Engineering student at the University of Nottingham.
University is an exciting place: you get to meet new people, learn new things… But these happy feelings are almost always found with homesickness lurking in the dark. As an international student, when I’m in the lecture hall, sitting with my friends, smiling, having a good time, I’m still 3,700 miles (6,000 km) away from home. Away from my friends, my parents, my brother, my baby sister, my dogs and my home. It’s tough, seeing my sister grow up when I’m on the other side of the Atlantic. But that homesickness doesn’t bother me anymore, and it shouldn’t bother you.
What to do when you feel homesick
Accept it
The first step in overcoming homesickness isn’t ignoring it, or thinking that it’s wrong. It’s accepting the fact that it’s a completely normal response. Whether you’re from Nottingham or from New Zealand, or anywhere in between, your homesickness is valid. It’s a normal human response, so don’t hide it: understand and accept it. Accept the fact that a lot has just changed. That the life you were used to has just been thrown upside down. The feelings you are experiencing are to be expected.
Stay in touch
The next step is to find a way to connect back home. Today we have loads of options: Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and plenty more. All of these services let us talk to the ones we love and miss back home.
Home doesn’t seem so far away when I’m chatting with my family on Thanksgiving, or saying hello to all my relatives when Easter rolls around. Staying connected is super important, so don’t forget it!
Make friends
Another great way to curb your homesickness is to find others in your situation. One of my best friends is also an international student and we’ve bonded over it many times. Just remember that anyone could be in this situation, not just those far from home. Just find someone who may also be struggling and say hi.
If you’re still finding it hard, go out and find a sports group or society to join. It’s often said that a good way to deal with homesickness is to keep busy. By engaging in positive activities, you may begin to see that the homesickness gets easier and easier. There are loads of opportunities at Nottingham, and a lot of the people you'll interact with have been in your shoes before and understand how you feel.
Give yourself time
Finally, if you've done all those things and still have trouble, just give it time. It will get better. Take time to get used to the changes in your life and you'll soon make friends and get into the routine of lectures. I know it may sound impossible and the homesickness feels like it'll never go away, but I promise you it will.
I still remember my first night here in Nottingham on my own. I felt scared, regretful, like I should just pack everything up and go home. To be honest though, I'm so glad I stayed. I've had one of the best experiences of my life, being here at Uni. I've learnt so many new things and have found friends with whom I can truly be myself. You should be so proud that you've made it this far, so get out there and make your mark! If you need a helping hand you can find support here.
