Expanding your horizons by living abroad presents a thrilling adventure, but it’s also a journey that many find intimidating. Universities and companies often caution about the likelihood of homesickness and culture shock, yet many individuals still find themselves unprepared for these emotional upheavals. This bewilderment often sparks stigma surrounding these experiences.

While away from home, it can be challenging to share your struggles with those back home, as they may not fully grasp the depth of your emotions. Well-meaning friends might make comments like:

“But, you’re in Japan/Italy/etc.!”
“I’d kill to be in your shoes!”
“You don’t know how lucky you are!”

Unfortunately, these comments, though intended to encourage, often add to one’s inward struggle during these transitional periods abroad.

Living up to these high expectations can exacerbate feelings of homesickness and culture shock. It is essential to understand that experiencing homesickness doesn’t negate your appreciation for the opportunity offered to you. Homesickness is rather a natural response to being uprooted from your familiar environment and plunged into a foreign culture.

Those who haven’t experienced such a situation might struggle to understand that having occasional off days, missing home, or finding it challenging to adjust are common emotions and do not reflect a distaste for the new environment.

Remember, homesickness and culture shock manifest in everyone differently. It could show up during your extended stay in another country as ups and downs, a period of depression, occasional weekends spent yearning for home, or difficulty to cope at first, followed by a smooth transition.

Homesickness: An Expected Part of Your Life Abroad

While the variability of homesickness exists, it’s a near-universal experience while living abroad. Importantly, these emotions are perfectly natural and justified. Don’t let others’ expectations invalidate your feelings or the prospect of enjoyment in your overseas study or work. You can acknowledge these emotions and still extract the most out of your international experience.