Picture this: By day, you’re attending lectures at your dream university or studying at one of the prettiest libraries you’ve seen; at night, you’re going from one nation to another, meeting so many cool and interesting people from all over the world. Everything’s new and exhilarating; everything’s exactly how you dreamed it would be. That is, until you come across a random reel on Instagram that reminds you of your best friend, or you pass by a dog taking a walk with its owner and you’re reminded of your own pet back home. Maybe you’re coming home to your studio apartment and you find yourself missing the noise and chaotic energy that comes with living with your big family. Some people find it hard to put a name to this feeling, while others are able to identify it more quickly: homesickness. 

Although finding housing, setting up a bank account, and learning a new language can be some of the most trying challenges as an international student, dealing with homesickness can sometimes prove to be more difficult than any of the aforementioned. It also comes in different forms. For me, it was subtle at first until it hit hardest after the Christmas holidays. I’m not quite sure if the lingering sense of yearning ever completely goes away, but I, for sure, have learned to deal with it better over time. With that, here are some tips that could also help you if you’re dealing with homesickness:

1: Establish a routine and pick up hobbies
Whether it’s going to the gym, having crafternoons, or working at a nation, it always helps to keep yourself busy and your mind preoccupied with something else that makes you happy! This isn’t just to distract yourself from thoughts of home; it can also be a way to establish some semblance of familiarity that may be hard to find when you’re in a new, dynamic environment. It can be something completely new, that way it’ll require you to invest more time in engaging in it or working towards being better at it. It can also be something that requires minimal effort but still makes you happy either way, like watching your comfort show or rereading your favorite book.

2: Schedule (virtual) catch up sessions and be more intentional with how you spend time with people from back home
There’s no denying that the spatiotemporal distance between Uppsala and your home country entails limitations to the bonding activities you can do with your loved ones from back home. This highlights the importance of putting a bit more effort than usual to maintain the bonds that you already have in your life. The easiest way to do this is by scheduling regular calls with friends and family no matter how busy you are. You could also do virtual activities together like having a book club, streaming a movie together, holding PowerPoint parties, or even just keeping each other company while you’re studying or doing chores.

3: Find your community
While it’s important to maintain the existing relationships you already have with people from back home, it’s equally important to recognize that there will always be room for new people in your life. Finding your people may be tricky at first, but the key is to just keep socializing and eventually you’ll find your way to the right people. Whether it’s your fellow students in your programme, the people in your nation, or a community of people from the same country as you, having a home away from home and learning to lean on that support system will get you through feelings of loneliness and homesickness.

4: Journal or talk to someone about your feelings
Letting your thoughts out through writing or verbalizing is a good way to clear your mind. It’s important to not bottle up your feelings because doing so will only make you feel heavier. While it’s good to keep yourself distracted and preoccupied to avoid the feelings of homesickness, sometimes it’s also helpful to face the feelings and take a few minutes to process them with a friend, a counsellor/psychologist (check out the Student Health Service page for more information), or on your own by journaling.

5: Spend time outside
Although staying in bed or in your room all day can be cozy, there comes a point that it can feel isolating. When that happens, take a walk! Bask in the sun or go to your favorite cafe and treat yourself with good coffee or a pastry. Make plans regardless how big or small so that you always have something to look forward to and get excited about.

6: Be kind to yourself
You can be grateful for the opportunity to study at a great university and live in a beautiful country while still getting sad every once in a while and experiencing homesickness. Your feelings are valid and it’s important to remember that some days will be tougher than others, but the fact that you’re still choosing to step out of your comfort zone is something to celebrate and be proud of!

Homesickness is a very common feeling for international students to experience. With that, know that you are not alone if ever you’re going through this. Hopefully, these tips could give you ideas on how to remedy the feeling. Also, make sure to follow @studyatuu on Instagram for more tips and to see what initiatives/activities you can join to keep you preoccupied!