When the year comes to an end and summer approaches, it is a very bittersweet time for us international students. There is the challenge and hassle of packing up your temporary home in Belfast, to go back to your home. But at the same time, it is also a very comforting feeling because it means you see your family that you have been missing for months. 

It is a vicious cycle of leaving behind the friendships you’ve built in university to go home and then leaving family behind to go back to university. What helps me overcome this is the anticipation and eagerness of reunion. Being home for three months for the summer is my relaxation period. Spending time with my parents, holidaying with them, and meeting old school friends are the moments I cherish the most. And it is these memories that help me get through the initial few months of the new academic year while I’m still settling in. 

BLOG: How I Deal with Feeling Homesick as an International Student

There will be moments where you will feel a part of you is missing or left behind, but remember you are just luckier to have two homes! Remember you have people who love you in both places. While you go back, remember your family and friends are waiting at the airport with open arms to give you a big hug. And in a few months when you are saying goodbye to them at the same airport, remember you have friends at university who are equally excited to see you. Remember you have a whole new academic year to look forward to!!

In this blog, I’ll share some travel tips and how to tackle homesickness. 

Travel tips to make the journey easier:

If you are anything like me, you don’t like long haul flights at all! It’s the one part I dread about going back home. These are a few things that have made my travel more comfortable: 

• Do not rely on in-flight entertainment. Download things to watch on the plane/bring a book.
• Weigh your bags before you go to the airport to avoid any last-minute hassle.
• Pack smart – essentials go in your handbag and always pack a few sets of clothes and basic toiletries in your cabin bag (don’t check this in!! In case of delayed baggage, your cabin bag will be your saviour).

BLOG: Smart Packing: From India to Belfast

• Bring some noise cancelling headphones for the flight – you will sleep much better.
• Bring a home cooked meal for you to eat in the flight (I prefer it to the in-flight meals).
• Keep checking your flight status online (sometimes it’s not updated quickly enough on the information screens).
• Always carry some cash with you for immediate expenditure. 

How to tackle homesickness:

Stay connected 

The first and most important thing is to KEEP IN TOUCH!! Stay connected with your friends and family from back home. They are your biggest support system. I try and speak to my parents every day, even if it is for just five minutes. 

Bring something with you that reminds you of home 

Be it a snack you relish, or pictures of loved one, or any small memento that carries the essence of home for you. I made a picture wall in my room with pictures of family and friends, both from home and university.  

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Find a routine 

The busier and more involved you are, the less homesick you feel. Get involved in what’s happening on campus. Be a part of clubs and societies. This goes both ways, whether it’s the summer or term time, find a routine for yourself. You will feel much better if your days are structured and you won’t feel overwhelmed. I find to-do lists help me finish tasks without panicking. 

Look for support 

There might be times when you find it harder to overcome this feeling. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends. There is plenty of support available in the Students' Union as well. Ask for help, it is okay. 

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Manya Ranganathan Medicine | Undergraduate Student | India I am in my third year of medical school at Queen’s. It has been an enjoyable few years in Belfast with lots of study sessions in the McClay, discovering new parts of the city and working together with my peers. I am an international student from Delhi, India but the wonderful people I have met and the friends I’ve made make Belfast seem like home.