It’s been a month since I landed in Salzburg, and I have to admit… the novelty sometimes wears off. The skies have turned a little gray, the rain has been tapping persistently against my window, and suddenly even the most charming castles feel a bit… damp. Homesickness sneaks in like that unexpected drizzle—quiet, tenacious, and a little stubborn.

But here’s the thing: studying abroad isn’t just about sightseeing or acing classes—it’s about taking care of yourself, especially when the weather, or the mood, isn’t perfect. Thankfully, Salzburg and I share a love for carving time out for yourself.

Salzburg is a music city, yes—but your personal soundtrack can be your best companion when the clouds roll in. Create a playlist that lifts your spirits, warms your heart, or simply matches the rainy rhythm outside your window. I’ve been curating my fall playlist for walks along the Salzach and lazy afternoons in my dorm—it’s my instant mood boost. Pro tip: Maybe you’re experiencing that feeling where no music sounds exciting, and you’re irritated while skipping through songs. Instead, try a guided meditation! Ten minutes is all it takes to check in with yourself, and I swear it feels like instant soul therapy. 

Treat yourself, seriously. When homesickness or that blue mood hits, tiny comforts can be magic. A warm latte from Cafe Leiblingsplatz, a gelato from Eis Greissler (both conveniently right next door to my dorm), or even just a steaming cup of tea with some snacks in your room can reset your day. Do the thing that makes you feel cared for, no apologies. Small gestures = big mental boost.

Even if the weather’s bummed out, you’re learning to appreciate the quiet beauty that others might miss. And that sense of agency, of choosing your own path, is surprisingly uplifting. It’s completely okay to miss home. The key is to show yourself kindness. Accept the feelings, then do one thing—anything—for yourself that makes you feel grounded and happy. Someone this summer introduced me to the idea of radical acceptance: fully acknowledging how you feel without judgment, and giving yourself permission to feel it—whether it’s homesickness, frustration, or simply just a bad mood. It doesn’t mean you have to like the feelings or that you have to stay stuck in them—it simply means you honor them. From there, you can make small, intentional choices to lift your spirits: a walk, a coffee, journaling, or watching your comfort show. Radical acceptance turns “I miss home” into “I see myself here, and I’m taking care of me.” Remember, you’ve survived other feelings like this before and you’ll survive this situation. 

A few weeks ago, I was at the Vienna airport after a trip to Italy, dragging my heavy backpack and my slightly frazzled self through the crowds. We had a three-hour train ride back to Salzburg ahead of us, and I had just grabbed dinner to keep me sane. And of course… I dropped it. Right on the floor. All of it. My patience, dignity, and that perfectly good meal went straight to my feet. At that exact moment, my friend Lucy looked at me and said, in the cheesiest way possible, “Smile.” And just like that, our ongoing joke was born. Now, whenever one of us has a straight face—or full-on “RBF”—the other has to tell them to smile. Although this may not be what I want to hear in a specific moment, it never fails to make me laugh and it’s a reminder that your friends are there for you! And if they’re not – I’ll be the first to tell you that they aren’t your real friends.

I am a huge advocate for journaling. I recently bought this notebook with a beautiful peacock cover and just opening it makes me excited. Write how you feel, no one is judging you, you don’t need to be performative. Write what you’re grateful for! You can first start by being grateful for the opportunity to study abroad – not all universities get to do this (:  I frequently find myself writing that I’m grateful for my family + friends, food + water, warm clothes, laughter, the ability to move my body, my health… the list goes on.

On another note: I’ve never considered myself a huge Taylor Swift fan, but her new album has completely changed that. This past weekend, we took the bus to the border of Germany to hike up to Eagles Nest above Berchtesgaden, and I listened to the whole album on the ride there—it was absolutely a main character moment. Sometimes the best therapy is just blasting Taylor and letting yourself feel everything. Even with songs like Opalite, The Life of a Showgirl, and The Fate of Ophelia (top three) already overplayed on TikTok, they somehow land perfectly on the album—each one hitting harder and more nuanced than you’d expect. And that’s the power of music, it can transform a gray, rainy day into something cinematic, turn a long bus ride into an adventure, or simply remind you that it’s okay to feel all the vibes at once. Music doesn’t just accompany your experiences, it shapes them, and sometimes even helps you process homesickness, self-reflection, or a little seasonal melancholy.

I take an immense amount of pride in my music taste. Like I said, I’ve never been the biggest Taylor fan—but I can effortlessly switch from Drake to The Marías in a heartbeat. I’ve been curating a fall playlist full of songs that lift my spirits, make me want to dance, or have a concert in the shower. Every song is a small act of self-care—and now, you can listen along with me. Remember, even in the rain, your study abroad story is yours to soundtrack.