Home Alone this Christmas? How to cope with homesickness as an international student
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s important to remember that not everyone will be heading home to spend time with family. Each year, many international students remain at university over the festive period due to travel costs or long distances.
Understandably, this can be a challenging and isolating time. To help, we’ve put together a few small but meaningful suggestions on how to combat loneliness within the student community this Christmas.
Travel the UK
Whilst a trip home may not be on the cards, that isn’t to say that a trip still can’t happen. Bristol is less than an hour away from locations that thrive during the festive season: why not see the famous Christmas lights in London? Visiting picturesque villages in the Cotswolds? Wrap up warm and explore some of North Devon’s coastal path? Or hop on a short plane to Ireland to experience live music, incredible atmosphere and a good old pint of Guinness?
All these different places offer something different, and by changing location, you may feel refreshed and not as homesick as you have experienced new places.
Reach out to your wider community
Why not reach out to the wider community in your city? This is the perfect opportunity to experience cultural immersion on a new level. By experiencing Christmas in a different country, you can grow and discover different traditions and customs that you may have never known existed.
To find people to connect with, search for local Facebook groups related to book clubs or running clubs.
Keep in touch with family back home
Whether it be via FaceTime or Zoom, call your loved ones back home and let them know how you are, what you have been up to and that you miss their company.
By speaking for just half an hour, a FaceTime or call with loved ones can help combat loneliness and remind you that your community are not far away.
Get off Social media
It is often said that comparison is the thief of joy – and during the festive season, social media can amplify that feeling. Seeing others celebrate with their families may intensify difficult emotions, so consider taking a break from scrolling.
Instead, spend time with other international students, pick up a new hobby, or explore more of what your city has to offer. Why not check out the Christmas markets, enjoy a roast dinner at one of Bristol’s best pubs or go to see a show at the Bristol Beacon?
If you are struggling with tenancy agreements coming to an end or need a place to stay, Clifton Short Lets offers affordable, temporary accommodation for students.
For more information, click the link below:
Useful links:
What’s on in December: https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/seasonal-events/christmas-events/
Here are some suggestions of groups that meet in Bristol regularly: https://bristol.social/
Meetup is a popular website for listing local groups: https://www.meetup.com/
Bristol Beacon Website: https://bristolbeacon.org/