Studying abroad is a time filled with many emotions. It is first and foremost an exciting time as you think about all the new places you will visit, the people you will meet, and all of the new things you will experience. It can also be a little nerve-racking as you think about all of the unknowns and the many preparations that must be made. It can be a time of both sadness and happiness and you think about saying good-bye to your family and friends but saying hello to a potentially life-changing experience.
One thing that may not have crossed your mind is how you are going to deal with homesickness while studying abroad. You might think that you will be gone such a short time, and you will be too busy experiencing new things to feel homesick. However, that is not true for the large majority of people. Just ask people that have studied abroad. There are periods of down time, and you will probably see things that remind you of home.
Since you are more than likely going to experience homesickness, it is good to think about what you can do to properly handle that emotion and continue to enjoy your time overseas. What are some helpful ways to deal with homesickness while studying abroad?
The first thing you should do is plan a healthy amount of communication with family and friends back home. It is not wise to never talk to people back home, but it is also not wise to talk to them every day. Hearing too much about what is going on at home will make you miss home more. Plan on talking periodically to keep up with them, but try to avoid becoming dependent on them.
Another idea is to not spend too much time in your room. The more time you have alone to sit down and think about missing home, the more you will actually miss home. Try to get out and meet new people, stay active, and see the city. You can join campus organizations, study groups, or just go to a coffee shop with some friends.
A third strategy related to the previous one is to travel around the country or even continent. For most people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You will probably never have this much free time or freedom to travel again. International travel becomes much more difficult once you are employed full-time and have a family and other major responsibilities.
If you decide to take advantage of the opportunity and travel, then please do so wisely. If you leave the country where you are studying abroad, then your insurance policy will probably no longer be valid. You need another short-term travel insurance policy to cover you during your adventures. The good news is that the plan is only about $1/day, and it can also cover adventure sports. Here are more helpful tips on how to reduce homesickness while studying abroad.
The truth is that you are probably going to experience homesickness while studying abroad. Don’t let it ruin this amazing experience. The best thing you can do is to be prepared so you can have strategies to help you handle it effectively. We sincerely hope your study abroad experience is one of the best experiences of your life!
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Good Neighbor Insurance has been in business for over 20 years! Every one of our internationally trained and licensed insurance agents has a heart to serve you, our guests. It is a joy to know that we can provide you peace of mind with one of our many international student insurance options to safe guard from financial calamity as well as providing you the best overseas medical care during your studies and travels.
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Have amazing and safe travels!
