When ambitiously making plans for my gap year, I decided I would start by travelling alone to Mexico. I was meeting a group for a volunteering project but had a week of staying in Playa del Carmen alone first. This should have been the most exciting week of my life but it was hands down the worst. When I stepped off the plane, the excitement quickly wore off and replaced with this feeling of deep sadness and panic. I began creating scenarios in my head where I would have to be sent home for getting injured or ill. All I wanted was to be back at home, with my family, feeling safe and feeling comfortable. It sounds crazy but until you’ve experienced homesickness yourself, which will most likely happen in your life at some point, it won’t make sense.
It is also very common in students to feel homesick when moving to university. You may not even be geographically far from your home, but research has shown that 70% of students experience homesickness in their early university days. So, don’t worry and don’t feel ashamed because you’re not alone.
Here are some advice and tips you can follow:
1. Talk to people
A problem shared is a problem halved! Other people will definitely be feeling the same and it will make you feel less alone.
2. Exercise
It sounds cliché but when you move your body, it releases endorphins which make you happy. By doing something as simple as going for a quick run, you can make yourself feel instantly better.
3. Do things that make you happy.
Whether it’s watching a favourite film or buying a pizza and devouring the whole thing in one sitting, take little steps towards feeling better.
4. People often advise calling home – but you may find this more difficult.
It made me miss my family more. Everyone is different but try to focus on your current life and doing things to make you happier.
5. Get busy and get out.
When your day is full of work, social events, sports and being part of a society, you won’t have time to think about how homesick you are.
6. Finally, it won’t last forever!
Homesickness will always go away eventually. It might just take a bit of time.
After battling through 6 days of this sadness, loneliness and despair, I can safely say I came out the other side! It was hard and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But, I now know how to combat the feelings of missing home and I’m also much better at being by myself.
Sophie Roberts