Submitted by Madeleine May on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 11:31.
Hey Kate!
One of the things that is hardest for me when I am abroad for a long time is being unable to communicate with the people I love back home. Because of the time difference, or lack of technology, it can be difficult to get in touch with the people who provide you with the most support.
Ive learned that writing post cards, even very short ones, on regular a basis can help me feel more in touch with my loved ones at home. Even if they wont receive the card for a few weeks, knowing that they will eventually get mail from me is comforting, because I know I will be in their thoughts.
I write postcards every two days or so, just about little stuff that happened/ I was thinking about. This is good for two reasons: 1) because the devil is in the details, and writing 2 or 3 sentences about that jerk of a cab driver/ that girl you met and really liked is almost like a conversation. Its the little stuff that causes the most stress, and is the most left out of conversations. Also, 2) it makes it easier for you to catch up with your loved ones in person when you see them eventually, because they will have an idea where you were or how specifically you were feeling that day (which to me is more important than a general description of the trip)
Also,while abroad I keep track of stuff that happens to me during the day so that I can put it on postcard at night. That way it doesnt feel like I have to deal with everything on my own. Whatever feelings I have, I can write down and ship off the next day.
Sorry that was so long winded but I hope it helps! Feel better,
Madeleine
I find that when I'm feeling homesick overseas, it helps to go to an internet cafe, get online and connect with people back home - tell them what you've been doing, send pictures, etc. It will help you feel like familiarity isn't so far away. Also, finding other foreigners in a foreign land might help as a lot of them might be feeling the same way you are. It helps to know you aren't alone in feeling homesick :)
Also, just remember that once you actually get home, the romanticized version of it will become reality and you'll just want to leave again. So view your time in the country that you're in as a golden opportunity that won't present itself again. Which it is. So don't think about home and throw yourself into the unfamiliar while you can :)
Submitted by Kate Harloe on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 09:37.
Hi Kate,
I can definitely relate to those moments of homesickness that, all of a sudden, come over you like a wave. One thing that has helped me in the past is packing a little photo album of pictures from home. You may or may not have done this - but it's always comforting to look at pictures of places and people you love and remember that they do exist! Also, in the same way that writing postcards is helpful, I've also found writing in my journal to be very helpful. If 'me' time is what you are looking for, go find a nice corner on your own and start putting your thoughts on a page. It helps me reflect on what is going on in my mind, and makes me feel like I get all the emotions out of my system one way or another. Good luck! And like Stephani said, you'll be back soon enough - so don't forget to take a step back and appreciate where you are!
Submitted by Kate Thomas on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 09:56.
Thank you guys this has really helped me to reflect and think about the things I am starting to take for granted. Shame on me! These ideas are great too. Thanks for the tips.
Submitted by Duncan D. Horne (not verified) on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 21:09.
Hi Kate,
I volunteered in Malaysia and Singapore for 2 years, very far from my home in England. For the first two months I too was homesick, and no amount of writing letters, postcards or emails really helped to be honest. The best thing you can do is become immersed in the work you are doing there, lose yourself in the work and in serving others, and you will find that you won't miss a thing!
Submitted by Duncan D. Horne (not verified) on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 20:43.
Yes I did return home but it didn't last any more than two years. Now I'm living out here in Malaysia and have been for 5 years!
Really, it's good to chat with family once in a while but writing postcards and letters and emails every few days will not do anything to help your homesickness! So I repeat the advice I gave in my first comment.
Submitted by aliciamunoz (not verified) on Mon, 09/26/2011 - 08:05.
Honestly, the way I helped homesickness when I was traveling in Germany (actually, I never felt it because it was always prevented beforehand) is to make as many great friends as possible with people that you are around in the Bahamas. It works better when they are locals and help you around the place. You really won't think a lot about home.
Feel better!:)
10127 Awesome Followers!
Hey Kate! One of the things
Hey Kate!
One of the things that is hardest for me when I am abroad for a long time is being unable to communicate with the people I love back home. Because of the time difference, or lack of technology, it can be difficult to get in touch with the people who provide you with the most support.
Ive learned that writing post cards, even very short ones, on regular a basis can help me feel more in touch with my loved ones at home. Even if they wont receive the card for a few weeks, knowing that they will eventually get mail from me is comforting, because I know I will be in their thoughts.
I write postcards every two days or so, just about little stuff that happened/ I was thinking about. This is good for two reasons: 1) because the devil is in the details, and writing 2 or 3 sentences about that jerk of a cab driver/ that girl you met and really liked is almost like a conversation. Its the little stuff that causes the most stress, and is the most left out of conversations. Also, 2) it makes it easier for you to catch up with your loved ones in person when you see them eventually, because they will have an idea where you were or how specifically you were feeling that day (which to me is more important than a general description of the trip)
Also,while abroad I keep track of stuff that happens to me during the day so that I can put it on postcard at night. That way it doesnt feel like I have to deal with everything on my own. Whatever feelings I have, I can write down and ship off the next day.
Sorry that was so long winded but I hope it helps! Feel better,
Madeleine
Hey Kate- I find that when
Hey Kate-
I find that when I'm feeling homesick overseas, it helps to go to an internet cafe, get online and connect with people back home - tell them what you've been doing, send pictures, etc. It will help you feel like familiarity isn't so far away. Also, finding other foreigners in a foreign land might help as a lot of them might be feeling the same way you are. It helps to know you aren't alone in feeling homesick :)
Also, just remember that once you actually get home, the romanticized version of it will become reality and you'll just want to leave again. So view your time in the country that you're in as a golden opportunity that won't present itself again. Which it is. So don't think about home and throw yourself into the unfamiliar while you can :)
Hope this helps!
Stephani
Hi Kate, I can definitely
Hi Kate,
I can definitely relate to those moments of homesickness that, all of a sudden, come over you like a wave. One thing that has helped me in the past is packing a little photo album of pictures from home. You may or may not have done this - but it's always comforting to look at pictures of places and people you love and remember that they do exist! Also, in the same way that writing postcards is helpful, I've also found writing in my journal to be very helpful. If 'me' time is what you are looking for, go find a nice corner on your own and start putting your thoughts on a page. It helps me reflect on what is going on in my mind, and makes me feel like I get all the emotions out of my system one way or another. Good luck! And like Stephani said, you'll be back soon enough - so don't forget to take a step back and appreciate where you are!
Kate
Thank you guys this has
Thank you guys this has really helped me to reflect and think about the things I am starting to take for granted. Shame on me! These ideas are great too. Thanks for the tips.
Kate
Hi Kate, I volunteered in
Hi Kate,
I volunteered in Malaysia and Singapore for 2 years, very far from my home in England. For the first two months I too was homesick, and no amount of writing letters, postcards or emails really helped to be honest. The best thing you can do is become immersed in the work you are doing there, lose yourself in the work and in serving others, and you will find that you won't miss a thing!
All the best,
Duncan
Thanks Duncan, Great advice!
Thanks Duncan,
Great advice! Did you ever go home?
Kate
Yes I did return home but it
Yes I did return home but it didn't last any more than two years. Now I'm living out here in Malaysia and have been for 5 years!
Really, it's good to chat with family once in a while but writing postcards and letters and emails every few days will not do anything to help your homesickness! So I repeat the advice I gave in my first comment.
Regards,
Duncan
Honestly, the way I helped
Honestly, the way I helped homesickness when I was traveling in Germany (actually, I never felt it because it was always prevented beforehand) is to make as many great friends as possible with people that you are around in the Bahamas. It works better when they are locals and help you around the place. You really won't think a lot about home.
Feel better!:)
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