This past week has been a bit more difficult for me. I have begun to struggle a bit and feel a lot of the effects of culture shock. I was informed that culture shock is a cycle that will likely occur multiple times while abroad. I have talked with a lot of friends here and have found that many of us are going through the same thing. Some in different programs, some at different times, and multiple times so far, but without fail we all go through it.
I knew culture shock was inevitable, but I hadn’t heard anyone talk about how defeating it feels. For me, it has started to feel l like a very lonely process. There are people around me whom I trusted and am so grateful I have talked to, yet it still feels quite lonely. It feels really weird to be so far away from everything I have ever known. What is really hard for me is learning the different cultural pieces that come with a new country, along with the different languages. I greatly miss talking with a stranger in the street about some mundane thing. Here, it is much more difficult to relate and be understood.
Being abroad and struggling with culture shock has made me much more grateful for the community I have in the United States and empathy for people who are no longer able to live in their native countries. It is so very difficult to try to fit into a whole new world and I cannot imagine how difficult that could be for people under different circumstances.
In order to combat the feeling of homesickness I have tried doing things that would help destress me at home. I go for a walk, listen to music, and remind myself of all the amazing things I have in my new city. Sometimes watching a favorite movie or book that I may have enjoyed a lot from my childhood helps. I make a lot of phone calls to loved ones, but oftentimes these are difficult and have me missing home more. Overall, I find ways to remind myself that I am secure and so happy to be abroad. There are so many amazing things I am experiencing here and I cannot wait to learn so much more. Good and bad coexist together and finding the happy medium is what is difficult, but definitely possible.
If anyone else is homesick, just know you’re not alone! Reach out to someone you know around you and chances are they are going through similar things. One of the fun parts about being abroad or even in any new place is forming a new community. This community is there for the good and the bad so do not feel guilty to lean on them.
