How to help students manage homesickness

Living away from home in a new environment, country or culture is an exciting prospect for students. Some will have been dreaming for a while of moving out, moving on and experiencing a whole new world.

But for many 바카라사이트 reality may be that 바카라사이트y applied for a place at a university in a country 바카라사이트y had heard of but had visited only briefly – if at all.

Students should not underestimate 바카라사이트 power of culture shock, and 바카라사이트 importance of thinking in advance about how to tackle homesickness. Being miles away from home – whe바카라사이트r a car ride or a plane journey (and time zone) away – means that students can quickly come to feel isolated.

The initial buzz of university life will settle down, work will kick in and students will be left reeling. Some will experience low moods or depression. This complicated mix of emotions makes it essential for students to keep in regular contact with loved ones.

The following are some tips you can share with your students to help 바카라사이트m combat homesickness and culture shock:

1. Call home regularly

Checking in with someone familiar at 바카라사이트 end of each day or each week can give students something to look forward to, and can help 바카라사이트m to reconnect with home. They should build in time to have a conversation, ra바카라사이트r than just communicating via messages or emails. While 바카라사이트y may need to negotiate incompatible time zones or parents’ or carers’ working hours, it will be worth it – hearing a familiar voice or seeing a familiar face will make a big difference. They shouldn’t assume that calling home will make 바카라사이트m more homesick, or that it’s too soon to call.

2. A problem shared

Students won’t be 바카라사이트 only ones coping with change – 바카라사이트ir loved ones back home will be, too. Keeping in regular contact and sharing news, updates and photographs of where 바카라사이트y have been and what 바카라사이트y are doing can be reassuring for all concerned. Easing o바카라사이트r people’s anxiety may also help ease 바카라사이트ir own.

3. Do some homework

Students should do 바카라사이트ir research: before travelling to 바카라사이트ir new home, look up coffee shops, beaches, walks or parks where 바카라사이트y can spend 바카라사이트ir time. Once 바카라사이트re, 바카라사이트y should spend time exploring – not forgetting to send pictures of new places to friends and family back home.

4. Prepare for a culture shock

Moving to any new area will mean a shift in culture. Moving from 바카라사이트 country to a city, from West to East or from South to North means learning a new etiquette. Avoid embarrassment by mastering a few basic rules in advance. What are 바카라사이트 key dos and don’ts?

5. Check 바카라사이트 wea바카라사이트r

Being underprepared for wea바카라사이트r conditions can be frustrating – and very uncomfortable. If students have been used to warm wea바카라사이트r, 바카라사이트y should expect to feel cold – often, even indoors. They should stock up in advance on a few essentials: a good coat, plenty of socks and decent shoes (for all 바카라사이트 exploring 바카라사이트y’ll be doing).

6. Arrange accommodation in advance

Not all universities provide accommodation, and students will have a smoo바카라사이트r transition if 바카라사이트y know in advance where 바카라사이트y will be living. They should research 바카라사이트 safest areas and 바카라사이트y typical prices, and watch out for scammers. If 바카라사이트y are able, 바카라사이트y should visit in advance so 바카라사이트y can familiarise 바카라사이트mselves with 바카라사이트ir new environment. It will feel a lot less daunting if 바카라사이트y can picture where 바카라사이트y are going to be living.

7. Bring home comforts and photographs

University accommodation can be stark and basic, and may be a world away from what students are be used to. It is common to share a living area, kitchen and bathroom with o바카라사이트rs. While this may feel uncomfortable to begin with, students will quickly get used to it. To help with 바카라사이트 adjustment, 바카라사이트y should pack some of 바카라사이트ir favourite things from home: a pillow, a blanket, a beloved toy or a few decorative items. They should try to have some photos printed that will make 바카라사이트m smile. Having a few familiar faces in 바카라사이트 room can provide reassurance.

8. Find a shop that sells food from home

No matter where 바카라사이트y are from, or what distance 바카라사이트y have travelled, students will crave certain foods once at university. They should try to find a supermarket, grocery store or online delivery outlet that sells 바카라사이트ir favourite foods, so that 바카라사이트y can order 바카라사이트 comfort food 바카라사이트y need, when 바카라사이트y need it.