As much as I would love studying abroad only to be full of adventures, new and exciting experiences, and incredible people (which it is), I have also had my fair share of difficulties along the way. Those who know me would call me an optimist and describe me as someone who always finds the good in any situation. Through my journey abroad, I have stayed true to that characteristic, however, I’ve also recognized when things may not be as bright and incredible as I want them to be. One of the things I’ve struggled with the most is that feeling I’m sure many of you know all too well – homesickness. Now I feel like this feeling usually hits me way later than everyone else. Usually, people feel it within the first few weeks or the first month, but for me, it usually hits around 3-4 months when that “honeymoon” phase is over. Everything is so new and exciting in the beginning that it overwhelms you. But now I’m at that point where I’ve developed a routine, made myself at home in this new place, and all those awe-inspiring things slowly start to feel normal.
These last few weeks have been a little harder than typical. With final exams approaching, everyone is wrapping their heads around the fact that the program is almost over, and everyone is trying to fill their time with everything they still want to do. And for me, I’ve realized that in a few weeks, the friends and people I’ve grown so close to will be hundreds of miles away. I think this combination of emotions and feelings has made me seek things that are familiar to me, things that remind me of home. With all these new and exciting things I’ve experienced over the last few months, I’ve realized that a part of me simply wants to find comfort in the familiar, while still appreciating the new.
This last week, in particular, I’ve been trying to ease this feeling of homesickness by finding things around Nice that remind me of my life at home: grabbing an açai bowl from GojiGoji in Place Massena, taking a long walk in the park, or simply eating a bagel sandwich (which is really hard to find). These small actions, while they may seem insignificant, have helped me a lot in being able to see more of the similarities between my life in Nice and my life in the US, rather than all the differences. Talking to my friends and family has probably helped me the most. I love catching up with everyone and hearing what life has been like for them back home. It also helps to be able to talk to someone you’re close to. While I’ve made some amazing friends in my program, sometimes I just need to talk to that person who I’ve known for years. And my mom. My mom is like my best friend, and talking to her makes me feel as if I’m back home with her. She never fails to make me laugh, make me see the good in any situation, but most importantly, she gives me the best advice. Staying connected with my friends and family back home has been hard, especially with the time difference and all of our busy schedules. But when I’m able to connect with them, it feels as if we’ve never been apart.
Homesickness is a completely normal feeling and something that you’ll feel in every place you move to. I certainly felt it when I was a freshman at Hope, and I’m feeling it now that I’m so far from the life I’ve built back in the States. But I always remind myself that this feeling is temporary and amid all the chaos, the new and unknown, I’ve made so many incredible memories while studying abroad, with many more yet to come. My two pieces of advice for anyone feeling homesick are to (1) try to find familiarity in your new home, whether it’s a specific activity or a particular type of food, and (2) stay connected with those you love back at home. But most importantly, as I like to remind myself often, of how much of a blessing it is to love something so deeply that you miss it so much when you’re away. For those looking to study abroad, it’s an incredible experience, and I wish you all the best, and always remember you are never alone.
À Bientôt!
Kadence Grimm
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