The excitement of arriving in a new country, the thrill of unfamiliar sights and sounds, the buzz of orientation week—it’s an intoxicating cocktail. But for many international students, this initial euphoria can gradually give way to a quieter, more persistent feeling: homesickness. It’s a profound sense of longing for the familiar, a wave of sadness that can wash over you when you least expect it.
If you’re feeling this, know this first and foremost: you are not alone. Homesickness is a nearly universal experience for anyone who has left their home to start a new life abroad. It’s not a sign of weakness or that you’ve made a mistake. It’s a testament to the deep connections and love you have for the people and places you’ve left behind. The good news is that it’s manageable, and with the right strategies, you can navigate these feelings and truly thrive in your new environment. Here are 20 powerful remedies for homesickness, designed to help you build a fulfilling life abroad.
💡 Reframing Your Mindset
Before diving into actions, it’s important to shift how you think about homesickness itself.
1. Acknowledge and Normalize Your Feelings
The first and most crucial step is to stop fighting the feeling. Instead of judging yourself for being sad, acknowledge it. Tell yourself, “I’m feeling homesick right now, and that’s a completely normal reaction to a huge life change.” Suppressing emotions only gives them more power. Accepting them allows you to start working through them . You haven’t made a mistake; you’ve made a brave choice, and this is a natural part of the journey.
2. Practice Self-Compassion
Be kind to yourself. You wouldn’t tell a friend who was struggling to “just get over it.” Offer yourself the same gentle understanding. Talk to yourself the way you would comfort a good friend. Remind yourself of your strengths and the courage it took to move abroad .
🏡 Bringing Comfort and Familiarity
Sometimes, the best way to feel better is to create small pockets of “home” in your new life.
3. Create a “Comfort Corner” in Your Room
Transform a small part of your living space into a personal sanctuary. Pin up photos of your family and friends, drape a favorite blanket over your chair, place a meaningful souvenir on your desk, or keep a scented candle with a familiar fragrance nearby . When homesickness hits, this corner can be your visual and emotional anchor.
4. Master a Recipe from Home
Food is a powerful vessel for memory and emotion. Set aside an afternoon to cook or bake a beloved dish from your home country. The familiar smells and tastes can be incredibly comforting. Better yet, invite a new friend to join you and share a piece of your culture with them . It’s a delicious way to connect your past with your present.
5. Establish New Rituals
Create small, comforting routines in your new environment. It could be making a cup of tea every evening, going for a walk in a nearby park every Sunday morning, or finding a cozy café where you can read for an hour . These rituals create a sense of stability and “normalcy” that can be very grounding.
🌍 Building Your New Home: Connection and Community
The most powerful antidote to homesickness is building a life in your new home that you genuinely love.
6. Go to Orientation (and Every Event)
It might feel awkward, but orientation week is designed specifically for you. It’s a concentrated opportunity to meet hundreds of other students who are also new, also looking for friends, and also feeling a little lost. Say yes to everything, exchange numbers, and follow up .
7. Join Clubs and Societies
This is the single best piece of advice for any new student. Whatever your passion—hiking, chess, photography, debate, volunteering—there is a club for it. Joining a group centered around a shared interest is the fastest way to form genuine friendships because you already have something in common .
8. Be the One to Make the First Move
Waiting for an invitation can leave you waiting a long time. Take the initiative. Ask a classmate if they want to grab a coffee after class. Invite someone from your dorm to explore the city with you on the weekend. Most people are just as nervous as you are and will be relieved and happy that you reached out .
9. Explore Your New City Like a Tourist
Don’t wait for someone else to show you around. Grab a map (or your phone) and become a tourist in your own new city. Visit museums, wander through different neighborhoods, find the best local market, and discover your new favorite spot. This helps you build a sense of ownership and connection to your surroundings .
10. Find Your “Third Place”
This is the place that isn’t your home (first place) or your school (second place). It could be a specific library carrel, a corner table in a coffee shop, a spot in the park, or the local gym. Having a “third place” gives you a sense of belonging in the wider community .
11. Connect with Other International Students
While it’s important to make local friends, don’t underestimate the power of connecting with people who are in the exact same boat. They understand the unique challenges of adapting to a new culture without you having to explain it. You can share tips, vent frustrations, and celebrate small victories together .
12. Balance Your Connections
It’s tempting to spend all your free time on video calls home. While staying in touch is vital, try to strike a balance. For every hour you spend video-chatting with friends back home, spend an hour actively engaging with your new life. This prevents you from living in the past and missing out on the present .
📞 Reaching Out: Support Systems
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Support is available from many sources.
13. Don’t Isolate Yourself
When you’re feeling low, the instinct is often to retreat. Fight this urge. Go to the common room, study in a public area, or simply go for a walk where there are other people. Being around others, even if you’re not actively socializing, can lift your spirits .
14. Use Your University’s Counseling Services
This is one of the most important resources available to you. University counseling centers are staffed by professionals who are experts in helping students navigate exactly these feelings. It’s free, confidential, and a sign of strength, not weakness, to ask for help .
15. Talk to Your International Student Office
The staff in this office are there specifically to support you. They’ve helped thousands of students before you and have a wealth of experience and practical advice for dealing with culture shock and homesickness. Don’t hesitate to drop by for a chat .
16. Connect with a Mentor
Many universities offer mentorship programs that pair new students with older students. A mentor can be an invaluable guide, helping you navigate academic and social life, offering advice, and providing a friendly, familiar face on campus .
🧘 Nurturing Your Well-being
Homesickness is emotionally draining, so taking care of your physical and mental health is essential.
17. Maintain Healthy Habits
It’s easy to let healthy routines slide when you’re feeling down. But this is exactly when they matter most. Try to get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and limit alcohol. A healthy body is much more resilient to emotional stress .
18. Move Your Body
Exercise is a scientifically proven mood booster. It releases endorphins that combat stress and anxiety. Join an intramural sports team, go for a run, take a yoga class, or just go for a long walk while listening to a podcast .
19. Limit Social Media Scrolling
Scrolling through photos of your friends having fun back home can amplify feelings of missing out. Remember that social media is a highlight reel, not reality. Limit your time on these platforms, especially when you’re already feeling vulnerable .
20. Be Patient and Give It Time
This is perhaps the most important thing to remember. Building a new life, making deep friendships, and feeling truly “at home” in a new place takes time—often many months. There will be good days and bad days. Be patient with the process and trust that, with consistent effort, you will find your place. One day, you’ll realize that the knot in your stomach has loosened, and you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving.
Homesickness is a testament to the love you have for your roots. By using these strategies, you can honor that love while courageously putting down new roots in foreign soil.