Homesick abroad

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deutsch1997bw

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I am studying abroad in Germany for 6 weeks. After this weekend I only have 5 weekends left, four of which I have an excursion to participate in. While I attend university three hours away from my home in the United States, I have never been in a different country away from my parents, and I feel a little weird/uncomfortable about being so far away from them. I know that the program will go by fast (I have something every single day), but I still can’t shake this feeling. Any tips on how to combat this?
 
deutsch1997bw said:
I am studying abroad in Germany for 6 weeks. After this weekend I only have 5 weekends left, four of which I have an excursion to participate in. While I attend university three hours away from my home in the United States, I have never been in a different country away from my parents, and I feel a little weird/uncomfortable about being so far away from them. I know that the program will go by fast (I have something every single day), but I still can’t shake this feeling. Any tips on how to combat this?
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Ok. I don’t admit this often but I struggle with homesickness a ton. To the point that it’s probably a mental condition. I can’t leave for a two week vacation without breaking down. We’ve lived in many places.
I remember in college being a mess. Then when we moved to my wife’s college city even worse. I’m a stay at home dad of six so when we went to Italy, (for two weeks!) I cried (literally) myself to sleep because I missed my kids.

Here’s the thing.
One thing I’ve noticed is I always look back fondly on the experience. The vacations, the places we lived etc. after they are over, I LOVED them!

So my advice is to do something I haven’t mastered myself. Be able to step back and look at the big picture. Look to the future introspectively and realize that you will look back fondly in your life experiences. Also you will regret the time you spend brooding on homesickness. I know I do.
 
Homesick happens.

To some, not all.

For how long who knows?

Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Some will focus too much on being homesick and feed their fear. Others will say, “OK, I feel it, but there is much to discover here, so let’s look for the good in this trip.”

Two things to know how to do in any foreign country: 1. Say “thank you” in their language. 2. Smile. Everyone likes nice people and they will treat you well.

Well, that was my experience with 9 years overseas in 20 countries. Three of those years without my family. Two of those years I survived on letters that took 10 to 12 days to send and receive an answer. I think E-mail and Skype does a bit better.
 
Write letters even if you don’t send them, Send emails, chat online, find something to do to take your mind off it. I know it’s hard but time flies fast. I’ll say a prayer you have a great time.
 
Both you and your family should look at using WhatsApp to allow calling, texting, and video chatting for free over wifi.
 
Don’t waste this opportunity feeling sorry for yourself ( that’s really all homesick is! ) get out there and experience LIFE. Keep,connected with facebook, twitter, blog - whatever works. Make the home folks part of your time abroad! Don’t let yourself have time to feel bad!

Praying you stay safe and enjoy your time abroad!!!
 
Hey! This is great: in the midst of plenty, you are suffering a cross! When you feel homesick, think of Christ suffering for us, and offer Him your suffering. Then move on, don’t dwell on your feelings.
 
Keep busy, and do as many things as time will allow. Don’t waste your experience. Get out and see whatever you can. Take a lot of photos! Write an email and add to it and send it home every few days, your parents will love that.

My daughter spent a semester in Rome and wrote long emails. If your parents have never been where you are, or even if they have, they will love hearing what you are up to. I printed them out afterward and now she has the equivalent of a travel journal of all that she did there.
 
Crusaderbear said:
Don’t waste this opportunity feeling sorry for yourself ( that’s really all homesick is! ) get out there and experience LIFE. Keep,connected with facebook, twitter, blog - whatever works. Make the home folks part of your time abroad! Don’t let yourself have time to feel bad!

Praying you stay safe and enjoy your time abroad!!!
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Best advice right there! Relish every moment you get of this adventure, a lot of people never get such an opportunity. I’d love to stow away in your suitcase! And I mean that in the most NON-creepy way. 😃
 
Hello!

My family is from eastern Europe, and we often go back and visit for months at a time. It is very fun, but I often find myself missing the U.S. at times as well. First, do you have a Skype account? When I was without my parents for a month we used to Skype eachother every other day.

Second, I agree with posters that recommend relaxing and having a great experience. Instead of thinking “I am here for 6 weeks,” think to yourself, “I get to be here for 6 weeks! I am so lucky. Why not make the most of it!” You are very fortunate to be able to go abroad and see the world, and even learn the language. Search what fun things there could be available for you, and try to see as many landmarks as you can. The food is quite excellent, so make sure to visit the delicious bakeries and delis.

Good luck and may God bless you on your trip!
 
deutsch1997bw said:
I am studying abroad in Germany for 6 weeks. After this weekend I only have 5 weekends left, four of which I have an excursion to participate in. While I attend university three hours away from my home in the United States, I have never been in a different country away from my parents, and I feel a little weird/uncomfortable about being so far away from them. I know that the program will go by fast (I have something every single day), but I still can’t shake this feeling. Any tips on how to combat this?
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I was homesick a little for 3 days when I went to Budapest for 6.5 weeks. By the end I wished I could stay longer. It’s different for everyone but once you get stuck in to activities it might make you feel differently. I actually ended up feeling like I didn’t want to Skype home because my old life was out of place in Hungary and I had this weird detachment from it.

My advice is just give it time and stay busy…!
 
You’ve only been there a week. Not enough time to settle in. Since you are studying, I am assuming there will be lots of people your age. Personally, I think spending time with your new friends will help a lot

Angie
 
Thanks for the responses everyone. This is actually only my second day, but since I arrived on a weekend and the program is 6 weeks, I only have five left.

My mom is flying out when the program ends, so I am trying to keep my mind focused on that. While I do feel in slightly better spirits today, as I slept good last night, I still have that feeling. Just praying to God to give me comfort, strength, and a positive attitude.

Everyone I’ve talked to says that the program goes by extremely fast. After all, 6 weeks is not a long period of time, especially when I have class everyday and excursions planned for 4 out of the 5 remaining weekends.
 
deutsch1997bw said:
I am studying abroad in Germany for 6 weeks. After this weekend I only have 5 weekends left, four of which I have an excursion to participate in. While I attend university three hours away from my home in the United States, I have never been in a different country away from my parents, and I feel a little weird/uncomfortable about being so far away from them. I know that the program will go by fast (I have something every single day), but I still can’t shake this feeling. Any tips on how to combat this?
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Do get in touch with some expats and don’t forget to stay in touch with your loved ones. Get a fast hi-res webcam if good image and sound is capable of helping you bridge the distance (superficial as it is, in my case it does help).

Remind yourself it’s only temporary, and you might as well (and probably will) miss being in Germany once you do get back home. Hence you’d be really bad off to spend so many months in regret. Learn instead to appreciate things and stages in life as they come, in the order they come, for the duration they come and so on.

It’s a bit like with friends. You may not feel like meeting up on a particular day but at the same time you’ll miss your friend later if you don’t. Hence you just go and meet up even if the timing isn’t ideal. Same with long journeys.

So try to get the most out of your German trip. 🙂

(I highly recommend their local/craft beers, by the way. Their castles even more, but it’s not like the two can’t be combined. Trips to historical sites and vistas could be quite rewarding.)
 
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