Missing home while studying abroad? You’re not alone. Here are 6 easy, comforting ways to beat homesickness and feel more settled in your new space.
Living abroad is exciting — new friends, new routines, new freedoms. But every now and then, a wave of homesickness can hit. Whether it’s the food, the weather, or just missing your dog, homesickness is completely normal. The good news? There are ways to make your new space feel a little more like home.
1. Make Your Room Your Own
Decorate your room with things that make you smile — fairy lights, posters, a blanket from home, or even your favourite mug. A cozy space = a more grounded mind.
2. Keep a Routine (Even a Loose One)
When everything feels new, structure can help. Wake up around the same time. Have a weekly laundry day. Cook dinner instead of always ordering in. Routine creates rhythm — and rhythm creates comfort.
3. Stay Connected, But Not Glued to Your Phone
Call home, text your friends — but try not to live in your phone. Spending too much time comparing your life abroad to what you see online can make the distance feel bigger.
4. Cook Something From Home
Nothing brings comfort like familiar food. Try recreating a dish from your country. Bonus: share it with your housemates and tell them the story behind it.
5. Go Outside, Even If You Don’t Feel Like It
Homesickness feeds off isolation. A quick walk, a trip to the supermarket, or a study session in a café can reset your mood — even if you go alone.
6. Don’t Pretend You’re Not Homesick
Talk about it. Everyone misses home sometimes, and chances are the people around you feel it too. You don’t have to be “tough” to be brave.
Conclusion
Homesickness isn’t something to fix — it’s something to move through. It means you have people, places, and routines that matter to you. And the more you explore and settle in, the more home you’ll create where you are now.