A Guide To Beating Homesickness for International Students

Are you missing your family, friends, and all the familiar things from back home lately?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Many international students face homesickness while studying abroad. It’s completely normal to feel confused and lost as you adjust to a new country and language. But we’re here to help!

In this guide, we’ll share practical tips and strategies to help you cope with homesickness while making the most of your time at AXIS Institute.

Step 1: Stay connected with your loved ones

One of the best ways to ease homesickness is to keep in touch with family and friends back home. Thanks to technology, you can easily make video calls, send messages, or share photos. Regular chats can give you something to look forward to and help you feel less lonely. Share your experiences, ask for advice, and remind them how much you miss them (and the food back home!).

Step 2: Create a daily routine and follow it every day

When you move abroad to study, it can be hard to feel comfortable in your new settings right away. One way to make it easier is to create a routine — a list of activities or things you do daily at specific times. This can include things like studying, eating, exercising and doing things you enjoy. By following a routine, you create a sense of structure in your day-to-day life. This can help you feel more at ease and less homesick. So, try to make a daily routine for yourself and stick to it as much as you can.

Step 3: Make new friends

Making new friends is important when moving to a new country. Make friends in your class and invite them to do activities you both enjoy, such as sports or music. Sharing experiences with new friends can help you feel more at home and combat feelings of homesickness. Remember, there’s someone out there who’d love to be your friend — take the first step!

Step 4: Create your home away from home

Make your new place feels like home by decorating it with all the things you love — pictures of your family and friends, your favourite quotes, or items that remind you of home. If you miss the food back home, why not cook it with the help of your new friends. You can even introduce your friends to your culture and learn more about theirs. It’s really important to create a happy place where you feel safe and comfortable.

Step 5: Go out and explore your new city

Take time to learn things about your new city! Go for walks, visit local parks and check out famous places to get to know the area. You can even go on weekend trips with your new friends, discover cool cafes together, and learn about the local history. The more you explore, the more you’ll fall in love with your new city. This can help you feel more connected and less homesick. Attending community events and joining clubs can also help you to create a support system in Australia.

Step 6: Focus on your hobbies or find new interests

When homesick strikes, it can be hard to stop thinking about all the people and places you miss. One way of coping with homesickness is to focus on things you enjoy doing, like reading books, playing sports, or listening to music. Go back to the hobbies and activities you loved to do before you moved away. You can try to keep doing those things or even find new activities that interest you. Doing things you like can help take your mind off feeling homesickness and make you feel more positive.

Step 7: Remember to take care of yourself

Aside from studying and working, try to focus on the positive things. Set realistic goals for yourself, travelling around the city, exploring new places, or making friends. Celebrate your little achievements to stay motivated. But, don’t forget to eat healthy and exercise regularly. By taking care of yourself both physically and mentally, you’ll be able to handle anything that comes your way, even if you start to feel homesick.

Step 8: Keep a journal to share your feelings

Writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal can be really helpful for your mental health. It’s a good way to look back on your journey to see how much you’ve grown and changed over time. So, give it a try and start writing about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts today!

Step 9: Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Don’t let homesickness stop you from achieving your dreams. At AXIS Institute, we offer student support services. Reach out to our dedicated team for guidance and help. Remember, you are not alone. Facing homesickness is a common part of the international student experience, but with help, you can overcome it and enjoy your time studying abroad.

Conclusion

Remember, homesickness for international students is a natural part of studying abroad, and you’re not alone in feeling this way. Adjusting to a new country is tough, but your homesickness won’t last forever. You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think! By following these tips, you can make new friends, build a new support system, create amazing memories, and discover yourself in a whole new way!