It’s normal to feel homesick as you’re in a new place away from your friends and family. Lots of students will be feeling the same way so you don’t need to worry. We have some actionable tips and advice that can ease your mind and help you when you’re studying abroad.
- Decorate your room with personal items like photographs, blankets, teddy bears and whatever else makes you feel at home. This will help you feel more comfortable in your new surroundings.
- Have regular video calls with family and friends to talk about your day or watch your favourite TV show together. You can use Skype or WhatsApp to call home for free when you’re connected to the internet.
- Talk to other students about how you feel. They are experiencing the same things as you and would appreciate having a talk with somebody who understands how they feel.
- Cook food that reminds you of home as it can be a fun way to overcome homesickness. Cook with your flatmates and you might even find some new tasty food you like. Most supermarkets have aisles for foods from many different countries and cuisines. Cooking together and trying new flavours can be an exciting experience.
- It can be beneficial to go for a walk and experience everything your new city has to offer. There will be amazing sights and landmarks for you to see.
- Talk to people from all over the world. Although you’ll meet other students from the same country as you, it’s important to communicate with everybody. This way, you’ll experience different cultures and traditions.
- Organise a study group for your course. You’ll get a better understanding of the curriculum and your classmates.
- Keep healthy and do some exercise. It will keep you feeling much more positive about life. Consider joining a local gym or going for a run with friends.
- Plan lots of activities with friends for the weeks to come so you have things to look forward to. You can put it all on a calendar in your room or even on your phone.
- Join a society and meet other students like you. Newcastle University has over 160 different societies and clubs for you to choose from.
- Don’t sit in your room all the time. We know it can be easy to stay at home when you’re not feeling very positive. However, going out with friends can be a good distraction.
- Volunteer and attend local events. This will help you enjoy the city you’re studying in and meet new people.
- Focus on your future career. This might not seem like an obvious way to deal with homesickness, but getting excited about your ideal job will make your experience abroad worthwhile.
- At Newcastle University, you can even get involved in the Give it a Go scheme. It’s a good way to try something completely new with no commitment or experience needed. Plus, there are hundreds of activities and events each term you can try.
- Lots of universities have counselling services available. You should use them as that's what they're there for. If you really need some advice, they can help you feel better.
Newcastle University offers programmes for maintaining your health and wellbeing. We have our very own online hub where you can find information and services for any issues you may be facing. Our team is trained to deal with situations similar to yours and they understand the pressures international students may have to face.
They have the knowledge and expertise to direct you to the best source for help. Studying at a university abroad is the chance of a lifetime. And by using the above tips to remove any slight concerns you might have, you can have the best possible university experience.
Studying abroad is an exciting time, but there may be things you’ll need help with - like healthcare, financial support and advice, dealing with disabilities, emotional health and even meeting new people. Newcastle University provides the assistance and support you need to enjoy your time at university.