Coping Strategies to Deal With Homesickness

Make Lynn Your Home Away From Home

By Javiera Sarmiento, Staff Writer

Leaving home comes with the price of experiencing sadness due to being thousands of miles away from friends and family in a new, unknown territory like Lynn University. This is especially true for international students.

Homesickness, which comes in many shapes and forms, can be defined as the general feeling of being sad, anxious, stressed and isolated due to the separation from each person’s meaning of home. Particularly for international students, extra factors such as time differences and being in a new culture make it even harder to beat the nostalgia that comes from yearning for a support system. 

To understand the concept of homesickness, iPulse spoke with two members of Lynn University’s Counseling Services and a current international student who has experienced missing home. 

“For a lot of international students, when they come to college in the U.S., they have the expectation that they’re going to be academically successful, meet lots of friends and get involved in extracurricular activities. Still, for some students, that doesn’t automatically happen, and that often leads to homesickness,” said Associate Director for Student Wellness & Health Promotion Charlotte Muriel. 

High expectations and eagerness to leave the nest are normal feelings before leaving home. Still, the issue comes once students see themselves in a position where optimism is not enough to feel comfortable in a new environment. 

“Items from home, pictures or objects that remind international students to assimilate can help ease the feeling of homesickness. It is all about finding things that make you feel more at ease with what is currently going on for you; that is the best remedy,” said Executive Director for Student Health and Wellness Debra Futterman.

Keeping a letter from a loved one, having pictures of friends and family back home and even listening to a song that brings back memories are effective ways that students can handle homesickness. The counseling team at Lynn University is more than prepared and willing to help those who want to beat the constant feeling of homesickness and even those who need a reminder as to why they chose a path thousands of miles away from their loved ones. 

“It’s a feeling that comes and goes. One day, you’re going to feel like giving up and going back home, and then suddenly, the next day can be your best day since you got here. Whatever it is, just remember a bad day doesn’t mean a bad life,” said Sofia Espinosa, a sophomore.

For international students, dealing with homesickness is the price to pay for the innumerable advantages of receiving an education in the U.S. Learning how to deal with homesickness is an internal and individual process. Still, it is vital to know that Lynn University’s counseling services provide a variety of information and resources to cope with it.

Espinosa discussing feelings with another student. Photo/J. Sarmiento.