Guest post by Sammi Choi (fourth-year undergraduate student, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology)
Starting your degree is an exciting journey, but for those who moved oceans away from home to continue their academic career, it can also be terrifying. From managing legal paperwork and housing alone to spending nights without your favourite stuffed toy, it can all feel overwhelming. Feeling homesick is completely normal.
As an international student myself, here are some tips I found useful when feeling homesick.
Give it time
The first year – sometimes the first term – is the hardest part. Allow yourself time to adjust to a new environment and establish a routine. It’s okay to not rush into meeting new people and not give in to the pressure to find “your people.” Be patient and gentle with yourself. It’s difficult to be away from home, especially during the holidays and other special days. Remember that the first step is the hardest part, and you've already come so far – it’s okay not to have it all figured out.
Stay in touch
Time differences can make it difficult to call or talk daily, but try updating loved ones back home on your experiences with photos and videos. It’s normal to feel guilty at times that they are not here with you. But make the most out of your university journey. Let them know that you are always thinking of them and excited to share these experiences with them.
Doing research in an area that you are passionate about can feel isolating when your family does not have the same academic background. If updates about your lab work or research aren’t well understood or appreciated, try giving updates on places you’ve been, how you are adjusting to campus or things that you can’t wait to do with them once you return home. Families far away sometimes enjoy hearing about how your new home differs from where you grew up, allowing them to learn from you. Even little details can help you connect over the time you lived together and help them picture your new community.
Bring some keepsakes from home
Packing your whole life away can be difficult, but try to bring something small and sentimental, like a treasured photo or handwritten letter. These belongings might seem unimportant, but they can be a nice pick-me-up after a long day. I love revisiting birthday cards from friends and family back home whenever I’m feeling homesick or distant.
It’s also equally important to make the space you’re living in your own. A room holds memory, so make it as cozy and personal as possible. Decorating your new space with some nostalgic home decorations could provide a homey feeling.
I like to use these tips with the postcards I receive. My friends from back home and I send each other postcards whenever we travel somewhere new. It has become a great way to stay in touch and an amazing wall decoration.
Get involved
Meeting new people can help provide a support system through the good and the bad times. The UBC AMS offers over 350 clubs on campus, making it easy to find people you have common interests with. You can also try starting a new club and establishing a community on campus. Try browsing the list of graduate student associations and clubs in the MyCommunity forum (CWL required) to find like-minded grad students.
Vancouver is a diverse and multicultural city, try expanding connections beyond campus by exploring new hobbies. Some of my favourites include Spin Society, Rumble Boxing Studio and U Paint I Fire.
Find peers going through similar experiences
Building relationships and connecting with peers can take various forms. It not only provides a safe space for you to confide in others but also serves as a reminder that you are never alone in your studies and life. Remember that relationships are a two-way street, so be open to offering support and engage with mutual understanding and empathy.
Build a home away from home – carry traditions and culture
When you move away from home, it’s easy to get lost in feeling left behind and feel nostalgic for old traditions and cultural celebrations. But even traditions are subject to change. Sometimes traditions are special because of the meaning we attach to them. The good news is that we can always create new ones.
For me, Chinese New Year is a very important cultural celebration. I miss being back home with my family carrying all our traditional festivities every year. Since coming to UBC, I have been fortunate to meet friends who share a similar experience of being away from home during this special time. Together we have established our own cherished tradition of gathering for a hotpot meal every Chinese New Year. This small yet meaningful tradition brings us a sense of comfort and connection as we celebrate our cultural heritage together.
I hope that these tips were helpful. And more importantly, I hope this made you feel a little bit less alone.
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Header image by Sweet Life on Unsplash