In a previous article, I shared tips on how to stave off homesickness during the holidays while staying abroad. This time, I’m focusing on what to do when homesickness strikes before or after the holiday season. Thankfully, I managed my homesickness effectively and didn’t suffer too intensely.

On my first day in Germany, I met my friend Maria, who was an immense help. Having lived in Germany for a year already, she had a wealth of local knowledge. Thanks to her guidance, I quickly adapted to traveling alone by train, bus, and tram. Maria, who was busy packing to leave, took me under her wing. She introduced me to Essen, showed me where to find affordable shops, and even took me to my first tourist destination in Germany, Villa Hügel. We also registered my German SIM card together.

Unfortunately, after Maria left for Bonn—about two hours away from Essen Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station)—I faced an unexpected issue with my accommodation. I found myself alone in Essen while my classmates were in Duisburg for our classes. As the loneliness began to set in, my new roommate Gwen, who would later become a great friend, arrived, bringing some much-needed company.

Busy Bee

Stay busy! If you’re traveling or exploring your new home city, you won’t have much time to miss home. I called my sister to vent about feeling sad, but then I decided to take action. I came across a Facebook post from Studifarhten, a student bus travel company, announcing a trip to Amsterdam. I booked it and went! Traveling solo can also be a great way to meet new friends—check out my article on that.With my classes yet to start, I had plenty of free time, so I decided to explore more. I wandered around my suburb, Essen-Kray-Leith, and the city centre.

Meet People

Put yourself out there! Attend social events and meet new people. You can connect with classmates like I did or meet others while traveling. Sign up for Meetup or find expat communities to join. Participate in activities you enjoy, such as art classes, gym sessions, dance classes, drama lessons, or kickboxing. You can even volunteer for an organisation, which allows you to give back while meeting new people.

My classmates, Zena (from Brazil) and Mabel (from Honduras), invited the ladies in our class to their flat for a meal. I attended and enjoyed Brigadeiro—melted chocolate mixed with condensed milk—that we all ate by the spoonful. The highlight of that dinner was meeting my friend Anastasia (from Russia, nicknamed Nastya). Zena introduced us, and we discovered that we lived in the same building! We ere able to visit each other without even stepping outside, as the entire dorm was connected by an underground floor. We exchanged contact information and started emailing each other. Before long, we were visiting each other for tea. Nastya was exactly what I needed to help ease my loneliness in Essen.

---

---

Be Approachable

Some people, like my friend Gwen, will be more reserved at first. Be kind and friendly; if you click, you’ll eventually become friends—it just takes time. I made an effort to get to know Gwen and even brought her a pair of Dutch clogs as a gift from Amsterdam. She was so happy and returned the gesture by buying me a cute bell from Prague. We later shared meals, hosted dinner parties, exchanged gifts, danced together, and explored sites in Essen and Cologne. I was invited to visit her in northern France, and I plan to do so one day. I had to prioritise my thesis, which prevented me from visiting her, but it’s a goal I’m determined to achieve.

Cook Food from Home

Cooking familiar dishes can help, and sharing what you cook with friends is a great way to bond. However, don’t forget to try the local cuisine! During my first few days in Germany, I had chicken schnitzel with Maria. I searched for spices like curry powder in Asian shops, particularly Pakistani ones, and made dishes like curry and biryani that reminded me of home. I bought South African wine and looked into ordering biltong, though it was too expensive. I later cooked meals from home for my friends, and they did the same for me.

Speak to People

If you’re feeling lonely or sad, talk about it with people who care. I confided in Nastya about missing home, as well as my sister and boyfriend when it got overwhelming. Fortunately, it rarely became too much for me. The hardest part was not being able to hug my sister or hold my boyfriend, but talking to them via Skype helped a lot.

Stay in Touch

Don’t forget to stay connected with your loved ones back home. Keeping them updated is important, especially in case of an emergency. I made a consistent effort to reach out to special people in my life. I received a Lyca mobile SIM for free from a friendly German guy promoting the brand, which I used to call my mom, who is allergic to all forms of social media. I spoke to my sister and boyfriend daily through Facebook and Messenger. I also found unique ways to stay in contact with my boyfriend, like creating a digital photo album and sending him a digital message. I posted postcards to my loved ones and received a package from my sister. These little gestures helped me feel connected to home.

Thank you for reading! Please feel free to comment—I love hearing your thoughts! Reading comments on my blog is lots of fun, and I really appreciate them.

Wishing you happy travels through the journey of life!