You can expect to deal with several waves of homesickness and
culture shock while abroad. While experiencing these feelings, it is
important to remember that these feelings come and go in waves. At some
point you may feel as though you want to go home, but within a few days
you will probably begin to feel more positive about your new
surroundings.
There are many articles online addressing the subjects of
homesickness, culture shock, and cultural adjustment. These are some of
the most valuable and effective guides:
The following are suggestions from articles and from study abroad
alumni for coping with and minimizing feelings of homesickness and
cultural shock while abroad.
Get busy! Establish a regular routine or a full
schedule of things to do, and your emotions will stabilize. What is
important is that there is some kind of structure, and that you stick to
it. Free time and a lack of structure tend to bring on culture shock or
homesickness.
Homesickness is temporary. While you might miss
your family and home during the duration of your study abroad
experience, remember that the pangs of homesickness, nostalgia, or
anxiety are likely to dissipate in a day or so, especially if you are
proactive about accepting and moving through those intense periods.
Journaling and letter writing. Journaling and
letter writing may help alleviate anxieties, and will force you to slow
down and reflect on your whirlwind experiences.
Accept challenges. Completing simple tasks and
errands abroad can be very challenging and time consuming either because
you do not speak the language or because you’re unfamiliar with the
local procedures, or both. Go easy on yourself, and congratulate
yourself for successfully navigating through these new customs!
Manage contact with people from home. Too much
contact with home and too little contact with home is sure to cause some
homesickness. If you are constantly in contact with friends and family
from home, then you are only making homesickness worse and are limiting
the time you do have to explore your new hometown and meet locals.
Talk to someone around you. Most likely you will
be in a situation with other students; take advantage of this and talk
to people. Many people have experienced homesickness (or will be
experiencing it at the same time you are!) and can easily empathize.
Expect some stress. Studying abroad proves to be
very different from a relaxing vacation. Stressful situations are
common in such a challenging situation. Find some constructive ways to
decompress and give yourself time to do this regularly.
Exercise. Physical activity is a great way to
release endorphins and start to feel great. Exercising is also a great
way to meet people and can give you a confidence boost.
Participate in familiar activities. If you are
an avid runner or enjoy music festivals while in the US, seek out these
activities while you abroad. However, do not expect these activities to
be exactly the same as they are in the states: discover the differences
between American & foreign cultures.
Explore your new hometown. Meet the locals, make
friends, and try something new. If you are missing something in
particular from home, find a way to incorporate it or something new into
your new life.
Stay positive! It’s easier said than done, but
it is necessary. Having a sense of humor and trying to stay positive is a
great way to not only have fun but also get the most out of your
experience. Don’t let little things discourage you!
What's Up With Culture?
This material offers an opportunity to explore various aspects of
intercultural
communication and adjustment models that are known to impact upon all
study
abroad experiences. This
site is self-guided and self-paced. We
hope you will use it as a vehicle for self-exploration.
