Leaving your home country to study abroad is brave and exciting. It’s a journey on which you will have lots of new experiences, you will meet new people and see new places. But not everything is rosy and sometimes you will experience homesickness for your friends, family and your home country. That’s why we prepared stories and tips of students who are in the same situation as you and are facing the same thing. You’re definitely not alone in this, and our UTB students are the proof!☺️
Anastasiya from Belarus
Faculty of Management and Economics
When I arrived in the Czech Republic, I was 17 years old. I felt very empty and lonely. Initially, I had no friends or support here. I really missed my family, and it was difficult for me to get used to the new realities. When we’re away from the places and people we’re used to, we feel homesick. It’s like missing the warmth of your own bed or the fun times with family and friends. But don’t worry, feeling homesick is normal, and there are ways to make it better. It’s okay to feel this way. Tell someone you trust about how you’re feeling. Sharing your feelings can make you feel lighter. Thanks to phones and computers, you can still talk to your family and friends. A video call or a message can make you feel closer to home. Try to create a routine in your new place. It can be simple, like waking up at the same time or doing something you love every day. Routines can make you feel more comfortable. Exploring the city helped me a lot, it speeded up my adaptation and I began to feel safe. Of course, don’t be afraid to make new acquaintances. Initially, I didn’t have friends here, but now there are many of them and I can’t imagine my life without them. When you are a foreigner, it is much more difficult for you to make new acquaintances, but nothing is impossible. Doing things that make you happy, like drawing, playing, or reading, can help you feel good. Take care of yourself, just like how you do at home. And of course, try to arrange your new home so that you feel comfortable there, because home is not a place, but a feeling.
Amrita from India
Faculty of Multimedia Communications
Feeling homesick is like yearning for your cozy sweater, a longing for the past and that unsettled feeling when you’re far away from home. Going to university is a journey of self discovery but it can sometimes feel isolating. It’s interesting to note that 70% of university students experience homesickness. Having moved from India all the way to Czechia to pursue my studies at UTB. I’ve experienced my share of homesickness too. And here are some of my suggestions on how to cope with it. Acknowledge and embrace your emotions because homesickness can unexpectedly hit you maybe at the beginning of the semester or during missed celebrations. The first step in dealing with homesickness is accepting your feelings. Also consider keeping a journal as a way to process your emotions and find comfort in familiar things. When you’re feeling homesick seek solace in activities. Cook your favorite meals, have video calls with your family or listen to music that reminds you of home. Discover and indulge in your comforting routines and rituals. Don’t forget that UTB’s got your back. Our university comes through in the time of the need. The Academic Counselling Center on regular basis conducts workshops and creates safe space for students seek help. Not only that they also have newsletters sharing information about upcoming workshops and their available services that you can check on this link.
Kim from Vietnam
The Department of Marketing and Economics
As a Vietnamese student studying for a doctorate in the stunning Czech Republic, I’ve discovered a number of strategies to combat homesickness and foster a sense of community in this strange place. Forming relationships with the active Vietnamese student community here has proven to be one of the most consoling tactics. These students, with whom I share a common cultural background, have come to represent my anchor in this foreign land. We’ve bonded via common experiences and language barriers, and it’s so comforting to have friends that get the subtleties of both my own culture and the difficulties of studying overseas. Cooking Vietnamese food together, which satisfies our desire for home-cooked meals while also strengthening our bonds, has become a custom for us to spend time together. We go on field trips on the weekends to discover the stunning Czech countryside, making enduring memories and developing closer relationships. I have a helpful supervisor who is always willing to offer advice and support, which is really lucky for me when I have obstacles in my academic or personal life. The companionship of the Vietnamese student community and this mentoring have enhanced and lessened my sense of isolation throughout my stay in the Czech Republic. Together, these relationships enable me to flourish abroad and give it the comforts of home.
Continue in reading and check out few tips on cheap places to eat in Zlin🍛🍻
