Managing Homesickness

I never really thought I would experience homesickness before, but have come to realize that I did undergo a fair amount of missing home while abroad. I would spend some days in my room, mindlessly watching Tik Toks, reading fanfiction or watching a Chinese drama that I was a bit obsessed with. I honestly didn’t even realize what I was feeling until one of my cousins called me and I almost burst into tears just from hearing her voice. There are even days that I honestly just want to go home. I kind of think that these moments arise mostly when I have to do things that usually my parents take care of, like food or laundry. It’s not like I was completely spoiled at home, I am the oldest daughter in a Bangli household and was very involved with raising my younger siblings, so I think it comes from the fact that if someday I didn’t feel like doing something or got sick my mom would help me out.

One thing I miss the most about home involves food. There is something about having to literally leave my building to get food that makes me so upset, as my building doesn’t have a connected kitchen and we have to go to the first floor to use the microwave and to get water. This has got to the worst part of my dorm, I hate having to go downstairs every time I want coffee. There are also other things that make me miss home. I never thought that I would miss speaking Bangla, or I would miss my aunts just randomly walking into our house unannounced. Though most of all I miss my mom. Sometimes she can be very overbearing, but I know she supports me the most, and she also understands me the most in the world. I miss always having her around, as her presence is very grounding for me. I miss her randomly coming into my room with fruits or nuts or reheating my coffee. Even when I was in my dorm, I never had to worry about food because she would send me food directly to my room. All in all, I’ve learned it’s normal to experience homesickness while abroad, and sometimes you just have to embrace it.  

A Message from the Office of Global Engagement:

The safety and security of Drexel students is a priority for the University. As part of the efforts to support Drexel students that are studying abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Global Engagement has conducted a rigorous review of programming and provided additional support to participating students with customized pre-departure orientations and regular check-ins during the required self-isolation period and the term.