Solutions for Dealing with Homesickness: Staying Connected to Pakistan While Studying Abroad

For some people, studying abroad is something they must do within their lives to learn more about the
world and try new things. Looking in a country you are unfamiliar with can be an unforgettable
experience as you could learn new languages, eat fresh delicacies, meet new people, and visit scenic
spots. But, there are drawbacks to studying abroad, such as homesickness; homesickness is felt by
people who miss their home and being in a familiar environment. Homesickness is usually caused by
missing family, friends, and an area that they could navigate easily, as well as delicacies that they loved
back home. Studying abroad is a transformative experience that offers both new opportunities and
some drawbacks. In this guide, we will discuss strategies to help you cope with the homesickness of
missing your country of origin. If you are having trouble immigrating to Canada, try consulting
immigration consultants in Pakistan.

Staying Connected to Family Virtually:

Within this digital and modern age, you can stay connected to loved ones through video calls, zoom,
messaging apps, and social media applications to keep in touch with friends and family who are
currently in Pakistan. You can schedule calls or sessions where you are meant to talk to each other for
the duration of the session. Try putting friends and family in the same group so you can speak to them
quickly. You can also share scenic photos of the location where you are studying, sharing experiences
within the place where you are looking with your friends, or keeping them updated with your studies.

Creating a Comfortable and Safe Routine:

Try reusing the same routine you used within Pakistan in your daily life when you are studying abroad.
Whether it was just cooking dishes, listening to national music, or practicing religious rituals, each of
these little minor details will provide a sense of familiarity and comfort. Try discussing with your friends
what techniques you can try performing to relieve yourself of your homesickness, doing simple things
like taking a walk in the park, or going to shops that may remind you of your home.

Cooking Pakistani Cuisine:

By going to the grocery market and gathering ingredients that you would use to create a national
delicacy that is unique to your own country, you can take care of your homesickness. Try preparing
cuisines that you would typically digest within Pakistan, as it can provide you with a nostalgic
experience. Explore the local markets to find these ingredients, and try asking your family for recipes for what you usually eat within Pakistan. By sharing these cuisines, you can find some familiarity and avail yourself of homesickness.

Connecting to International Student Groups:

By joining various groups of students who are studying abroad from Pakistan and International students, as well as sharing experiences and challenges you faced within the country you are looking at, you’ll be able to connect with various students who have faced the same hurdles. You'll be able to feel less alone within your homesickness. You’ll also be able to participate in various cultural events organized by these groups, which help students deal with homesickness and provide a sense of belonging.

Celebrating Festivals Remotely:

By celebrating festivals and traditions remotely within the location where you are studying, you
usually celebrate at home, you’ll be able to deal with some homesickness. You can reach out to Pakistani communities that have an innate knowledge of Pakistan culture or international student organizations that organize such events.

Staying Informed About Your Country of Origin:

When you feel homesick, try contacting your family to stay updated about your country. You can watch
Pakistani shows, read the news of Pakistan, contact family members to get revised, or follow local
events. By staying informed about the current occurrences within your country of origin, you can stay
connected and engaged with your roots.

Engaging Within Hobbies:

While you are studying, try continuing hobbies or activities that you loved doing while you were in
Pakistan. Whether playing some form of physical sport, instruments, or painting, you can engage in
familiar activities you know to feel a sense of comfort and belonging. You could also engage in activities with your family remotely through video calls such as family game night or movie night so you can still feel connected to your family even though you are studying in a different country.

Decorating Your Current Home:

You could decorate your living space like it was at home, creating a comforting and friendly environment for yourself that reflects you can feel soothing. Decorating your living space with souvenirs, art, or pictures from Pakistan can lessen homesickness.

Keeping Your Connections Across Borders:

While going to a new country to study may be an exciting idea, homesickness is a natural drawback that comes with it. Stay in touch with your loved ones and friends; you can lessen your homesickness and ease this journey within your life, embracing the new opportunities presented to you and integrating elements from Pakistan to make your life abroad a little bit more bearable. Modern technology has undoubtedly helped lessen the homesickness that students feel when they leave their homes to study in a different country. If you are immigrating to the country where you want to learn, try consulting the best immigration consultants in Pakistan.