Dealing with Homesickness as an International Student

About the author: Hello! My name is Madelaine Lee but I usually go by Maddie. I am currently a 2nd year Fine Art student at the University of Edinburgh. I love doing things that are hands on – whether it's art and crafts, gardening, painting, pottery, you name it! I am also very much a nature girl and love going on walks and hikes. My art studio is where I spend most of my time, but if not you'll probably see me dancing or ice skating too. I can't wait to share the ins and outs of university life with all of you!

Moving to the other side of the world from Malaysia to Edinburgh as an 18-year-old-teenager who had never lived alone before was definitely a turning point in my life. It's safe to say though that I don't regret a single thing about it at all – after all, studying abroad has always been my dream, and I eventually built such an amazing new life here.

But dreams don’t magically erase the reality of missing home. Although homesickness wasn’t dramatic for me, it still came in small unexpected waves, especially when it came to getting for the first time in the UK and having to do all the cooking and cleaning by myself without anyone being there to take care of me. But that’s all a part of the journey and experience in growing up and entering adulthood!

Over time, I learnt how to deal with my homesickness, so if you're an international student or just a student studying away from home then here are a few things that helped me with homesickness.

–

Immerse yourself in societies

One of the key things that made me feel like I had a home-away-from-home was joining the Malaysian society. Gathering with other people from your home country who are also in the same position as you makes uni feel so much more comforting and reassures you that you are not going through this alone. We tend to have occasional potlucks where we cook and bring a cultural dish to our dinner gathering.

Make your house a home

Besides societies, I also decorated my room with small things that reminded me of home including postcards, gifts from my friends, and a wall full of photos and memories made back at home. My room started feeling like somewhere I could live comfortably in, and a place that I could call my new home. If you need any room decorating ideas, read our blog post on room decor inspo here.

I also really miss my food back home, so I brought a lot of little snacks to last me the whole year!

Don't be afraid to miss home

It is completely normal to miss home. Homesickness isn’t a sign of weakness or dependence – it is simply a sign that you have people and places you care about. For me, talking about it helped. I’d rant to my Malaysian friends in Edinburgh, and inevitably someone else would confess they missed roti canai or their cat. Suddenly, I wasn’t alone anymore.

Remember to also call your family even when your schedule is be packed! The time difference may make this hard, but try to make it a habit – even if it is just for a few minutes. Whether on my walk to class or whilst eating breakfast, I would usually call my mum to catch up with each other.

Explore your new surroundings

Homesickness often comes from comparing new experiences with old ones. During my first winter here, I genuinely believed the sun had left forever. It was cold, rainy and windy, and the temptation to stay in my room was strong. But the more I stayed in, the worse I felt.

I started small and decided on doing things like walking around the Meadows during sunset, or grabbing a hot chocolate by Uplands Roast. I love a nice view as well, so sometimes I would hike Arthurs Seat or Calton Hill on a rare sunny day. I started to love exploring the city and going to morning markets like the Stockbridge Market every Sunday, and getting a pastry from the iconic Lannan Bakery nearby. I’d get lost in bookstores and charity shops along the way back home.

The more I explored the city, the more I fell in love with it and realised how much this city has to offer regardless of the weather. Being out and about in Edinburgh has a charm that grows onto you if you give it a chance.

Be patient

Lastly, remember that homesickness changes over time. Some weeks may feel like it has faded into the background whereas others may hit harder. But overall, it will get easier. The more friendships I made, routines built, memories created, the less lost I felt. It didn’t mean I stopped missing my home though, but I learnt that it’s possible to love two places at once.

With time, support, and treats from back home in your suitcase, you will find your rhythm. Your uni city may feel far from home now, but give it a chance – you might find that it becomes a home of its own too.

Still finding it hard to shake that homesickness? Read our post on how to deal with being homesick as a Fresher here.

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.