How to overcome homesickness when moving to another country?

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Homesickness is something that a lot of international students experience when moving to a new country. Being away from family, friends and familiar routines can feel overwhelming at first, but there are practical ways to cope and make the most of your new life abroad.

It’s important to remember that feeling homesick is completely natural, it’s a sign that you value your connections and the comfort of home. With time, new experiences and the right support, these feelings usually fade as you start to feel more settled.

Living in a supportive environment such as Collegiate Madrid can make a huge difference. Surrounded by like-minded students from around the world, you’ll find it easier to adjust, build friendships and create a true “home away from home”. By focusing on connection, community and cultural exploration, you can transform homesickness into an opportunity for personal growth and discovery.

Why homesickness is common among international students

Moving abroad is exciting, but it’s also a big emotional and cultural transition. Many international students experience homesickness because they’re adapting to unfamiliar surroundings, new languages and different customs. Even small differences like local food or social norms can make you miss the comfort of what’s familiar.

Homesickness can also affect your focus and motivation. When you’re feeling low, it’s easy to become distracted or withdrawn, which can influence both study performance and social life. Recognising these feelings early and taking positive steps to manage them is the best way to stay balanced and confident while studying abroad.

Practical strategies to overcome homesickness

Regularly chatting with loved ones through video calls or messages can be a great source of comfort. Staying in touch reminds you that support is always just a click away. However, try to keep a healthy balance, if you spend too much time online, it can make it harder to settle into your new environment. Instead, schedule calls a few times a week and use the rest of your time to build connections in your host city.

Build new routines in your host city

Creating routines helps make a new place feel more familiar. Make use of the Chamartín transport hub and start by exploring your new home, finding your favourite cafés, and developing a daily rhythm that fits your lifestyle. Having a sense of structure helps reduce uncertainty and makes it easier to feel at home more quickly.

Get involved in local culture and activities

One of the best ways to overcome homesickness is to fully immerse yourself in your new surroundings. Attend local events, try traditional foods, and try to practise the language. These experiences not only enrich your time abroad but also help you connect with people who share your interests.

Surround yourself with a supportive community

Building friendships is key to feeling settled in a new country. Surrounding yourself with people who understand your journey, especially other international students, can provide mutual encouragement and understanding. Sharing experiences and supporting one another creates a sense of belonging that helps ease homesickness.

How Collegiate helps students manage homesickness

At Collegiate Madrid, everything is designed to help students feel at home from the moment they arrive. The residences are thoughtfully created to encourage community and an active social life, making it easier to meet new people and build lasting friendships.

Modern common areas such as lounges and study zones offer comfortable spaces to connect, collaborate or simply relax. Regular social events, from cultural evenings to fitness sessions, help students bond and feel part of a vibrant international community.

Living with students from around the world also means you’ll never feel alone, everyone is on a similar journey, offering mutual support and shared experiences that make settling in much easier.

Homesickness is a normal part of adjusting to life abroad, but it doesn’t have to define your experience. By building new friendships, embracing local culture and finding support in your community, you can quickly start to feel at home in your new environment.

Collegiate Madrid provides the perfect “home away from home” for international students, a place where comfort, community and opportunity come together to make your time abroad truly unforgettable. Discover Collegiate Madrid Chamartín today!