Around 60-70% of expats feel homesick. Sometimes, you don’t even notice it until a certain smell brings childhood memories back. There is no pill to magically cure the feeling of missing your country, but we know some tips on how to overcome homesickness abroad. Read on to learn them.
How to know that I’m homesick
Why am I feeling homesick?
How to deal with homesickness
Indians abroad and mental health
How to know that I’m homesick
As people on the internet say, ‘I won’t tell everyone, but there will be signs’. There definitely will be signs of emotional challenges when staying away from home. Even the fact that you’re assuming yourself homesick may be enough of the evidence.
Everyone's homesickness differs and lies somewhere between the 'light' and 'severe' versions. Here are some indicators:
- constant feeling of missing home;
- anxiety;
- no motivation and desire to do something;
- feeling isolated;
- sleeping issues;
- stomach complaints;
- loss of appetite;
- troubles with concentratoin.
So, we really need to know how to fight homesickness abroad to live happily and not spend our precious time locked up in a room crying.
Why am I feeling homesick?
Even the strongest of us may be anxious and in need of emotional support when moving countries. It’s totally normal. Expats end up in an entirely new situation and may feel lost. Then, the past starts to seem stable and warm, and one wonders, 'Why did I even move'? And, boom, the expat is trapped.
New routine
Indians living abroad have to change their entire lifestyle once they arrive. Streets are unfamiliar, your favourite shop is nowhere to be found, and the friendly lady next door with whom you chatted is still in India. And those shops that close early and don’t work during the holidays are so annoying. But thousands of Indian expats adapted to their new realities, so you can, too! Believe in yourself and read some tips in the next part of this article.
Feeling like you don’t belong there
Cultural differences are another decisive factor that boosts the sad feeling of staying away from home. Another language, another celebration, people who look and behave differently. Indians living abroad may often find themselves distant from everything that’s happening. Luckily, there are ways of coping with homesickness.
We’re sure you can deal with this feeling once you know how to overcome homesickness abroad. Let’s explore some tips.
How to deal with homesickness
Accept your feelings
Thinking, 'Oh no, why am I so weak? Everyone is enjoying their lives, and I'm the only one struggling,' will not do you any good. Many Indian expats worldwide feel the same way as you. Accept it, or otherwise, tips on how to overcome homesickness abroad won’t work.
And let us assure you it’s not permanent. Time heals.
Start with just one new lovely place
Speaking from personal experience and stories of Indian expats, discovering a new favourite coffee shop, park, or hidden gem makes miracles. Let’s assume you especially liked a coffee shop near a river or a massive European cathedral during your first week in the city. Then go there regularly! Sip a drink, watch people, study them and talk to other customers. It’ll help you to get used to your new place and feel grounded. It’s one of the most effective tips on how to get rid of homesickness abroad.
Remember, your culture is still with you
We live in an era of expats, nomads, and cultural exchange. So, when you wonder how to deal with homesickness, look for something familiar:
- Play cricket in Germany.
- Celebrate Diwali and other holidays.
- Find Indian events in the UK and beyond.
- Eat out in Indian restaurants in Warsaw.
There are huge communities of Indians living abroad in most European countries. Each of the members knows what it’s like to be an Indian expat, so they'll find the right words to comfort you and provide emotional support. Connect, have fun and ask for some sweet advice about cultural adaptation!
Stay in touch with family back home
Thank you, Tim Berners-Lee, for inventing the World Wide Web—because of your creation, Indians living abroad can stay connected with the ones they love, no matter the distance. Come up with new rituals together, for example:
- Watching movies or TV series together each evening.
- Creating a shared playlist with the songs that remind you of each other.
- Exchange letters.
- Sharing photos of something interesting or cute that you saw today. Did you see an adorable dog on the street? Take a picture and send it!
- Send gifts back home. Not necessarily a tangible one, it can be a fast and secure Profee transfer—your family will get the money in minutes and can spend it on their wishes.
Your dear ones may also have their ideas on how to overcome homesickness abroad; listen to them and feel their love.
Become an it-person
Not Information Technology (may also work, though), but it—someone with a healthy lifestyle, schedule and cool attitude. Wake up not too late, prepare breakfast, and take care of your body. Indians and mental health specialists recommend exercising, eating and sleeping well. While you're busy with self-improvement and trying to get your life together, homesickness may become less of a problem.
Here are a few more ideas for self-care for expats to help you get into that healthy rhythm:
- Start a simple morning routine with meditation, stretching or journaling.
- Try local foods that meet your dietary needs—it's a fun way to explore and stay healthy.
- Set personal goals unrelated to work, such as reading more, picking up a hobby, or learning the local language.
- Limit your screen time, especially scrolling social media late at night, which can trigger feelings of isolation.
- Celebrate small wins, like mastering a new recipe or finding your way around the city without Google Maps. Exploring the city without Google Maps is super fun, but try not to go far away from the city centre.
Befriend a local
Don’t limit yourself to spending time only with other Indians abroad. Start small: invite a colleague from work or students from the university to have lunch with you. You'll see that those people are not scary at all and have a lot to share. Ask them about the funniest or most surprising things they've seen in the area. Let them recommend their favourite hidden spots, whether it's a cosy café, a quiet park, or a street with the best snacks. You might even end up getting invited to a local celebration or festival. With each new connection, your social circle and your sense of belonging in a new country will grow. That’s a great way of coping with homesickness.
Try out these tips on how to get rid of homesickness abroad, if you feel that way. It’ll take some time to heal, but you’re more than capable of coping with homesickness.
Indians abroad and mental health
We learnt how to overcome homesickness abroad; now, let’s see a broader picture. While living in another country can be exciting, it also brings emotional ups and downs and cultural shocks. If you start feeling overwhelmed or off-balance, here are a few things to keep in mind about Indians and mental health:
- Don’t self-diagnose. Reading symptoms and taking tests on TikTok are not ways to live a healthy life. Misdiagnosing yourself can add confusion and anxiety. If you feel that something is really off, visit a licensed therapist.
- Consider online therapy. Sessions in your native language will probably be more effective. It's easier to express complex emotions in your mother tongue. Search for some Indian specialists online and meet with them.
- Stay strong. You’ve made something really brave and changed countries. It requires resilience, adaptability, and courage—and you’ve already proven you have those qualities. Always remember that.
- Trust people with your feelings. Find one or two in your close circle who listen to you and hear you. During the tough periods, sincerely share your doubts with them. They’ll become your emotional support.
- Plan your routine. Small habits make a difference. When everything around you is new, having familiar habits can give you a sense of control. Whether it’s cooking your favourite dish, going for an evening walk, journaling, or meditating—small rituals help ground you.
Final thoughts
In this article, we discussed Indians and mental health advice. Knowing how to overcome homesickness abroad is half of the work. Adapt the tips on how to fight homesickness abroad, slightly change them if needed and come up with your own methods. It’ll help you to feel better. Plus, be proud of what you’ve achieved and aim for more—a happy and stable life in your new place. Main takeaways: find new places, socialise, take care of your body, accept your feelings and support loved ones back home with international Profee transfers.
