One of the biggest topics of discussion I’ve found between my peers and I has been how we are staying in touch while abroad. It’s unlikely that communication with friends and family will be as regular as a normal semester, which can be both fulfilling and a little overwhelming. Navigating that balance is part of the experience: being present in this new environment while still keeping ties to home. Here are some of the best ways I’ve found to maintain that balance and stay connected with loved ones.
#1 – Personal ‘Newsletter‘
Okay this one is fun. I can’t take credit for the idea, but I’ve started sending out my own personal “newsletter” to friends and family back home. It’s a cute, easy way to keep everyone updated without feeling like I’m repeating myself over and over. Plus, it’s way more fun than a typical text or call.
I include little sections, like “Gratitudes,” “Recaps,” and even a “Person of the Week.” One of my favorite parts is spotlighting things that are coming up as well as things that I’ve been grateful for. Some friends back home have even started doing their own newsletters, and it feels like a fun little exchange—we’re still keeping our connection alive, but in a creative way that is conducive to our busy schedules..
Creating these newsletters is also a great way to decompress and process what’s going on. It’s a nice break to just sit down, reflect, and craft something fun to share.
#2 – Journal
This one is a bit more personal, but it’s been incredibly valuable. In addition to keeping a personal journal, I’ve started a dedicated “study abroad journal,” which I try to write in daily. Some days are full of detailed entries about what I saw, who I met, and what surprised me, but on other days, it’s just a sentence or two. I’ve found that it’s okay to let the journal evolve naturally.
What’s great about journaling is that it’s a low-pressure way to stay grounded. It’s a private space where you can work through homesickness, excitement, and all the emotions that come with living in a new place. I also like that it’s a tangible memory of my experience. At the end of my study abroad, I’ll have this physical object full of my thoughts, sketches, tickets, and little memories that I can keep forever.
My girlfriend, who is abroad in Tanzania, is keeping her own journal. Our plan is to swap them at the end of our programs as a way of sharing experiences we didn’t get to text about. It feels like a really special way to stay connected while also giving ourselves time to fully live in our respective experiences.
#3- Blogging
While not everyone is officially blogging for DU, I actually think that regardless documenting your experience in the form of shareable posts is a really good tool. Writing entries helps you to pause, reflect on your week, and share your stories with others. It’s similar to journaling in that you’re curating a digital journal, but with an audience in mind. It’s helpful to commit to a schedule—whether that’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly—because at least for me it’s helped to hold me accountable. Plus, having a shareable link means family and friends can easily keep up with your life without you needing to give constant updates.
For me, writing blog posts has been so helpful and a really thoughtful exercise. It’s about capturing small, moments that really make the study abroad experience special and sharing them in a format I can be proud of. The topics could be things as simple as a new local bakery or a conversation in broken French that somehow brought me closer to understanding the culture here. These little details are the things that my blog helps me hold on to.
Thanks for reading!!
DU Abroad 