[BLOG] Teaching Abroad: A Teacher’s Survival Guide #8: Homesickness: How to Cope
Homesickness is a common challenge for teachers abroad, but there are plenty of ways to cope. This post explores practical tips for managing homesickness, from staying connected with home to embracing your new environment. With the right mindset and strategies, you can make your time abroad feel like home.
Kaya
1/30/2025
Please keep in mind that the opinions posted on this blog are my own.
Everybody might have a different experience and opinions, and that's OK.
Teaching abroad can be an exhilarating experience, but it’s not without its challenges. One of the toughest parts can be homesickness. Being away from family, friends, and the comforts of home can leave you feeling isolated and unsure of how to manage. If you’re struggling with homesickness, know that you’re not alone. It’s something that many teachers experience when moving to a new country. Thankfully, there are practical ways to cope, and it’s completely normal to feel the way you do. Let’s dive into some strategies that can help you manage homesickness and make your experience abroad more enjoyable.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
It’s easy to try and push homesickness to the back of your mind and ignore it, but that rarely works. The first step to managing homesickness is acknowledging how you’re feeling. Whether it’s sadness, frustration, or loneliness, allowing yourself to recognise these emotions can actually help you feel better in the long run. It’s important to remember that homesickness is a natural response to being away from what’s familiar. By giving yourself permission to feel homesick, you can begin to move forward with practical steps to make things better.
Being open about your emotions also helps you communicate with others. Talk to friends, family, or even colleagues about how you’re feeling. Expressing yourself can be a relief, and you may even find that they’ve gone through the same thing, making you feel less isolated in the process.
Stay Connected with Home
While it’s essential not to let homesickness consume you, staying in touch with family and friends back home can offer comfort and reassurance. With modern technology, staying connected has never been easier. Video calls, social media, and instant messaging make it simple to check in with loved ones regularly. These connections can help you feel more grounded, especially when you’re missing familiar faces.
However, it’s important to find a balance. Too much communication with home can make you more homesick, so be mindful of how often you’re reaching out. Try to set specific times during the week when you’ll have a chat with family or friends, and use that time to catch up on important news without feeling like you’re missing out on your own adventure abroad.
Embrace Your New Environment
One of the best ways to cope with homesickness is to embrace your new environment. There’s no doubt that it can feel overwhelming at first, but by focusing on the positives, you can shift your mindset. Explore your new city, try local foods, or take part in cultural events. The more you immerse yourself in your surroundings, the more you’ll begin to feel at home.
It can be tempting to stay indoors and wait for homesickness to pass, but this approach often makes things worse. Get out and make an effort to meet new people, whether it’s through your workplace, local cafes, or language exchange groups. You’ll begin to build new connections that can help combat the feelings of isolation that often accompany homesickness.
Establish a Routine
One of the things that can make homesickness harder to handle is the feeling of uncertainty. Being in a new place without a familiar routine can leave you feeling lost. Establishing a daily routine can provide structure and help you feel more in control. Whether it’s a regular time to wake up, eat, work, and relax, routines can bring a sense of comfort in the midst of change.
Having a predictable schedule can also give you something to look forward to. If you’re teaching, you likely have a set timetable already, but make sure to incorporate personal time for hobbies, exercise, or relaxation. This routine will help you balance your professional life with personal time, making you feel more settled in your new home.
Focus on the Positive
It can be easy to focus on the things you miss about home, but doing so can make homesickness feel even worse. Instead, try to focus on the positives of your current situation. Perhaps you’re learning a new language, experiencing a different culture, or meeting people from around the world. Think about what drew you to teach abroad in the first place and remind yourself of the unique opportunities you’re having.
Creating a gratitude list can be a helpful practice. Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for in your new environment, whether it’s something as simple as enjoying a cup of coffee in a new café or having a productive day at work. Shifting your focus from what’s missing to what’s gained can help you appreciate your journey abroad even more.
Seek Professional Help if Needed
If you find that homesickness is beginning to affect your mental health or overall well-being, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Many countries offer counselling services to expats, and it can be incredibly helpful to talk to someone who is trained to help you cope with the emotional challenges of living abroad. There’s no shame in asking for help, and sometimes it’s the best way to ensure that homesickness doesn’t interfere with your ability to enjoy your experience abroad.
It’s also worth remembering that homesickness often fades with time. As you become more accustomed to your new life and build stronger connections, the intensity of these feelings will likely lessen. Patience is key in this process, so be kind to yourself as you adjust.






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