5 TIPS FOR COMBATING HOMESICKNESS: HOW EXPATS CAN FEEL MORE AT HOME IN A NEW COUNTRY

Did you see the viral campaign last year where relocation expert Mr Baggage was selling “bottled air”? Aimed at Brits living overseas who miss the smell of home, whether that’s freshly cut village green grass, inner-city London air or the aroma of fish and chips, for just £25 homesick Brits could buy some “top-quality, bottled air” and access a little bit of home whenever and wherever they need. 

While of course, this novel marketing campaign is just plain silly, it does make a good point; though moving overseas is incredibly rewarding, homesickness does happen. To make sure you’re not resorting to those bottled aromas of patriotism in a moment of panic, here are 5 tips for combating homesickness. 

JOIN AN EXPAT COMMUNITY 

In your new hometown, you’ll likely find lots of communities and networking opportunities for those looking to meet like-minded people on both a professional and personal level. Connecting with these expat circles and networks is one of the best ways to banish that homesickness for good. 

So, get sociable, and find friends to help you ease into your new home. Can you join a gym? Perhaps you could head to a class in the area, even if it’s a language class? Are there local art workshops you could get involved in? This way, you can make friends and meet people without feeling like an outsider.

Read: 5 factors to consider when swapping an extended trip for a long-term move

CREATE SOME ANCHOR POINTS & A ROUTINE 

Social psychologist Dr Gary Wood tells the BBC that “Moving to new places involves having fewer “anchor points” in your life”, and this ambiguity can, of course, be unsettling. 

Elaborating on this point, Joshua Klapow, a clinical psychologist, tells the Huffington Post that when we feel homesick “we’re longing for something that in our minds is known, predictable, consistent and stable.” 

So, it’s not just the familiarity of our hometown or country of birth that we’re missing; it’s also our normal, predictable routine.

To combat this, endeavour to create some anchor points for yourself, whether it’s having coffee at the same cafe every morning, or always eating in the same restaurant on a Tuesday evening. Find a bar you like and become a regular (hey, now you’re talking) or head to the local market to buy your groceries every Saturday. 

Establishing a routine, even if it’s miles away from your old way of doing things, can provide comfort and help you stave off feelings of homesickness.

LEARN THE LINGO

If you don’t understand the language of the country you’ve moved to, and therefore the hustle, bustle and banter going on around you, chances are you’re going to feel isolated. 

When it comes to learning some key phrases of a new language, apps like Babbel and Duo Lingo are convenient to use, especially on the go. Moreover, they give you quick, efficient results so you can carry yourself confidently, greet new friends and order your meal with a bit of conviction. Download one and dedicate an hour or so a night to practicing before your trip; it’ll improve your experience immeasurably.

Of course, the best way to learn a new language quickly is by engaging with local, native speakers. So, what are you waiting for…get out there and meet people! The added bonus of throwing yourself in at the deep end and out of your comfort zone is that you may well make some new friends in the process.

WATCH TV CHANNELS FROM HOME

There’s no shame in occasionally longing for domestic comforts like your favourite British soap opera or the local news channel from your hometown when you’re living abroad. In fact, catching up with Match of the Day each weekend or enjoying Strictly from afar can bring that feeling of connection with the gossip and banter of the day back in Blighty.

Be warned that watching certain shows can be difficult to access, depending on where you’re located, due to certain content being blocked in some regions. If you need to, however, you can use a VPN to overcome those geo-restrictions. 

A VPN allows you to change your virtual location to a server location of your choice to access the content you want. If you are not sure which provider to go for, you can always start with a free VPN trial

A TASTE OF HOME

The affliction of feeling homesick can take many forms. For many, craving food from back home is a particularly strong, emotional trigger for a bout of the blues. 

In a 2018 survey by British Corner Shop, via the Mirror, it was reported that the top foods British expats missed were somewhat surprising, with Warburtons Crumpets, McVities Gingernuts, Robinson Orange Squash, Heinz Baked Beans and Walkers Crisps topping the list.

If you’re the same, consider having a family member assemble a care package to send, with lots of treats, goodies and home comforts included. Alternatively, and much more sustainably, why not embrace the food culture of your new home?

Check out these 5 IDEAL tips for foodie finds abroad for some top advice on doing just that!

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