It’s definitely easy to feel overwhelmed and homesick when you’re studying abroad. Often, you’re far from home in a place with another language, and even the most free-spirited, happy people can have trouble adjusting. But even though there will probably be bad days, there are plenty of ways to make your new city feel like home.
1. Find your own study space
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We’re all used to the cute little coffee shops and parks scattered seemingly everywhere in New York City, and sometimes it’s easy to miss that atmosphere. Going out and exploring your new city to find new cute places to study might ease your homesickness a little.
2. Decorate your dorm room
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It’s hard to feel at home when your space doesn’t reflect your personality. Even though it doesn’t make sense to bring too many decorations from home, bringing a few pictures to put on your wall can help you when you’re missing your friends and family.
3. Eat food that reminds you of home (sometimes)
While obviously you should indulge in the traditional food of your new city, don’t be afraid to pick up potato chips or ramen or whatever other foods you’re craving. It might not be your mom’s home cooking, but it’ll definitely help fill the void in the meantime.
4. Try to learn the language
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This one might be harder than the others – and no one expects you to be fluent in the language of whatever country you’re studying in – but knowing the basics might help you get around a little easier and make the atmosphere feel less foreign.
5. Spend time with your friends
Your friends studying abroad with you might sometimes feel like your one connection to home, so spending time with them can make your time apart from home way easier.
6. Go out and explore on your own
While it’s important to make time for your friends, exploring your new city by yourself can make the streets feel less lonely. Finding that independence gives you the chance to frame your study abroad experience the way you want to, which gives you the chance to really make a home out of this new place.
7. Travel to other countries and cities
While it may seem counterproductive, nothing makes a new city feel more like home than leaving and coming back to it. Traveling shows you just how comfortable you’ve become in your new city, and helps you to see that maybe this new place can be a home for you for the next few months.