Homesick and living abroad

You moved away to work, to study, or to start over, and maybe it was the right decision. But the heart doesn't do the math: it misses your mother's voice, the smell of home, and a language where you never have to explain yourself. If homesickness is weighing on you right now, this page is for you.

Living abroad really is tiring

When you move abroad, many things change at once: the language, the food, the customs, the people. All of it takes energy, even on days that seem ordinary.

You might feel guilty for being far away, or for not being happy enough “despite the opportunity.” Your feelings make sense, and they don't make you any less strong.

What eases loneliness far from home

• Set a regular time to call your family that both sides look forward to, instead of scattered calls.
• Look for people from your country or who speak your language in your city: a mosque, church or temple, a community association, or an online group.
• Bring a piece of your old home into your new one: a dish, a scent, a photo, a morning habit.
• Get to know your new place slowly: a park, a café, a walking route you love.
• Plan a visit or a reunion, even months away. Having a date on the horizon makes the waiting easier.

When homesickness becomes too heavy

If homesickness turns into constant sadness that keeps you from sleeping, working or going out, talk to a mental health professional; many work remotely and in your language. Asking for help while abroad is not failure.

People abroad who understand you

On “i am sad” you write what's weighing on you with no name, and people from all over the world read it, many of whom live far from home like you, and reply to you in your language even if they don't speak it.