Being from South Africa and being thousands of miles away from home, homesickness is an issue I understand and feel  needs to be discussed, especially for incoming freshmen that are experiencing time away from home for the first time. From different backgrounds, homesickness is experienced with everyone that goes to college for the first time. For many, this is a recent topic of discussion due to the impact of COVID-19. With the travel ban that was in effect in 2020-2021, many international students were stuck in the U.S. over the vacation period, so they couldn’t go to their home countries to visit their families. Due to these restrictions, many students, like myself, have not seen their families for over three years. Homesickness can be the cause of a range of emotions such as anxiety and depression. When discussing homesickness, it is important to define what homesickness means to a college student. Homesickness in college is the impact of a new physical environment and cultural change that a college student goes through. It is important to address the signs of homesickness before going into the solutions that can help you cope. 

      Signs of Homesickness

• Loneliness 
• Sadness 
• A sense of grief 
• Depression
• Decreased motivation
• Anxiety

      Tips for dealing with homesickness

Tip 1: Acknowledge that you are experiencing homesickness with the above signs and be able to communicate this with your family members and your friends. For many, it is uncomfortable to communicate this mental health issue that you are experiencing, however, being able to communicate what you are going through with people that care about you will help you express your emotions and not bundle your anxiety and depression internally. Family members and friends will be supportive and help you get through your homesickness. Scheduling regular video calls with loved ones is the best initial solution to combating your homesickness. 

Tip 2: Get out of your apartment or college dorm and look for hobbies or activities that interest you with other people. During my first year in the United States, I experienced all the signs of homesickness, and I was very close to dropping out of college and taking a flight back home to South Africa. A few friends that I had met in college asked me to play in an indoor soccer league for the whole semester. Within a week, I had met new people through the indoor soccer league and my homesickness wasn't an issue in weeks ahead as finding a hobby I was passionate about allowed me to meet people with similar interests.  

Tip 3: Finding people that are in your shoes that have similar backgrounds is another way to increase your support system. As an international student, I have had the opportunity to meet many international students through the international office at Idaho State University. Meeting people with similar backgrounds has helped me express relatable emotions surrounding homesickness. 

Tip 4: Understanding that homesickness is common is important to help you get through these signs of emotion. Speaking to a medical professional is also helpful in resolving your emotional state. At Idaho State University, there are free counseling services offered where professionals can help you discuss solutions to your homesickness. Counseling Services | Idaho State University

Tip 5: The final tip that helps me get through my homesickness is getting involved with the university such as on-campus events and resources that are designed for students to help you get through the stresses of college. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and see what resources are available around campus. The Diversity Resource Center at Idaho State University attempts to build the community and have the mission to promote diverse events and increase interactions among the community at Idaho State University.  Diversity Resource Center | Idaho State University

Despite facing the natural and challenging effects of homesickness,  Idaho State has become a second home for me and building interpersonal relationships with many people around the University has helped make my experience at Idaho State special.