I’ve recently been having a bout of homesickness. I’ve been in Italy almost exactly three months, and that’s definitely the point when I start to begin missing certain aspects about home. I’m greatly missing American food at this point, and it would be amazing if I could actually be content with my wifi situation (I’m very much not).
Choosing to live abroad is not an easy decision—nor is it one that should be taken lightly. It requires a lot from you not only as a traveler, but also just being willing to keep an open mind to new experiences and accepting that things won’t always go your way all the time. It’s also a big decision. you’re leaving behind all the comforts that you have established in your own culture and the people you love. I recently Skyped with some of my best friends from home the other day, and I was amazed how much I really just wanted to see them in person (before the wifi cut out).
So what do you do when you hit the dreaded bout of homesickness? Best advice I have? Power through.
You won’t always be in the same place forever, and even though you might rather be anywhere else but there, you might find that you miss certain aspects of your surrogate home when you return. Even though I’m feeling antsy, and I am ready to pack up and move to a new location, I am trying to make the most of my remaining time here. Mostly by enjoying the food, but you know, whatever gets you through the day.
My mother recently shipped me a care package to Italy all the way from Montana. It’s amazing how those little things can mean the world to you when you have been away from the people you care about for some time. Even just being able to partake in some Swedish Fish was a way for me to feel more connected to the people back home I know and love.
No one said living in another culture was an easy thing to do. It’s an entirely different experience than traveling a few days or weeks and returning home. But your experiences living abroad are also those that can never be taken away from you. They’re yours to keep. Remembering that homesickness eventually passes is a good way to make it through so you can start on your next adventure.