Building a Home 5,000 Miles Away: 5 Things That Helped me Fight Homesickness

I have been in Dublin for about three weeks now and the range of emotions, memories, anxieties, and strength I have witnessed in myself has already been immense. Even though my first day in the city wasn’t too long ago, I have trouble pinpointing my exact thoughts from that day. My fears, nerves, excitement, faces of loved ones, snapshots of home, were muddled in my mind, forming a knotted lump in the back of my throat. And I carried that feeling, that heaviness on my heart for the entirety of my first week abroad. That feeling was homesickness and maybe a little bit of panic! Being candid, it was a really tough and isolating couple of days; my mind and body were completely resisting the new situation I had placed them in. On top of that, when your head is clouded by a melancholy haze it’s hard to think of any ways to access tangible comfort and support. 

As I write this though I am in a completely different state of mind. I arrived very overwhelmed and also nervous, but day by day I have been able to strengthen my sense of self to ensure I have the best abroad experience possible. Of course I will forever be missing loved ones and the comfort of home, but there has seriously been a change in my perspective, one I could have never imagined. It’s as if my fear and feelings of isolation have evolved into serenity, excitement, and a commitment to enjoying the time I have here in this new place. 

For anyone thinking about going abroad but is already dreading the nerves and apprehension that are sure to come, I wanted to share five things I’ve done that helped remedy my downcast first few days. And the great thing about this list is that they can be applied universally! No matter the location or your situation, these are tools that can help you process, reflect, and set your experience in motion. 

1. Journaling 

I have always dedicated time to journaling, but now that I’m abroad I find the hobby even more impactful and important. Moving abroad comes with a lot of big, overwhelming feelings and because you’re away from loved ones those feelings can easily just bubble up inside. For me, journaling has allowed me to reflect and work through the fears and rough patches I’ve had since my semester began. It’s also a great time to check in on yourself, evaluate your experience, and strengthen memories. I have turned a bad day around completely simply by heading to a park and journaling. Pick up that writing utensil!

2. Exploring your Host City on Your Own

Some of my favorite moments in Dublin thus far have been taking random walks or trains and basically just seeing where the day will take me. Taking the time to venture out on your own means discovering the city on your own terms; meaning you can dedicate time to the things you want to do. Especially in the beginning of your semester, don't be afraid to do things on your own! You’re going to be meeting a lot of new people and good connections take time, don’t let the absence of a buddy stop you from enjoying your time abroad! Seriously, part of the study abroad experience is self-discovery, so I urge you to not be afraid of doing things on your own. You may be surprised by just how serene and refreshing it can be to spend time with yourself. Side note: these solo moments are also the perfect time to find new music that will remind you of your host city for years to come. 

3. Finding Pieces of Home in the City

Dublin has been lovely. I love getting around on the train, seeing the unique mix of nature and history, finding local spots, and taking walks on the city streets. When I was first settling in though I found that Dublin just couldn’t compare to the comfort and familiarity of my hometown haha. One of the best things I did to remedy my homesickness was to look for pieces of home around Dublin; I looked for similarities in cuisines, architecture, stores, and nature. Even when I’m cooking dinner, following one of my mom’s recipes brings a lot of comfort and joy. Other things like following a similar routine to home or following up on hobbies can make a big difference. Just yesterday I attended a yoga class and the workout, the people, and that sweaty yoga feeling easily made me feel like I was right at home.

4. Watching or Rewatching Favorite Movies and TV

On my first night here, after hours of travel–when I still didn’t have any food in the fridge or any things unpacked, watching TV to close out the night seriously helped me relax. It may just be a small thing but watching TV on my laptop is so familiar and fun for me and it brought a lot of that good energy to my state of mind and apartment. How you end your day sets the tone for your sleep (more on that next) and the following morning. I have found that finishing the day with an episode of my favorite sitcom is just a really sweet way to end the night, and can seriously undo the stress of a bad day. 

5. Okay I’m still working on this one haha. . . Moving abroad means your body and brain are constantly reacting to new stimuli, not to mention the time difference with loved ones back home. Without sleep it is so much harder to acclimate to all the newness and even more difficult to replenish that social battery. This also means taking nights/time for yourself when you need it, being abroad can be tough and stressful and your body deserves the time to recuperate.

Even though I may never be fully cured of my homesickness, it has been really great getting more familiar with Dublin and all of its lovely people. For anyone missing loved ones and home an extra amount, I’m in the same boat. What has helped me, more than anything, is remembering how fruitful this experience has the potential to be. So even if you’re having teary conversations with family or feeling out of place in your city, take the time to find things, little things that will make you love it. Because more than anything this experience is for you.