Find a little slice of home

Are you an international student feeling homesick? Don’t worry, there are ways to tackle it. The UK is a diverse country with a lot of cultures that bring their own vibes, so you’re never too far from home. Here are a few ways you can experience a slice of life from your home as an international student:

Locate international supermarkets

Sometimes British food just can’t emulate the authentic flavours from your hometown. However, this is quite the opportunity in disguise. You can find a international supermarkets scattered around the city you’re in. Do your research and get authentic ingredients to make some food that's a better representation of your own culture. You can invite other international students and friends to try out your food and improve your cooking skills at the same time.

Discover restaurants and cafes with flavours of home

If you're not that big on cooking food yourself, there’s still a variety of options to avoid homesickness as an international student. Check online for some great restaurants around you where you can experience authentic flavours and dishes similar to those you had back home.

Seek out international communities

Feeling homesick as an international student isn’t just about food. When you're in a new culture, there’s often the feeling of not quite fitting in. While we promote mingling with others, if you're looking for a comfier community, you can also explore religious, cultural and interest-based groups around you that come from your own culture. Remember, it’s very likely that there are a lot of people around you that share the same communities as you.

Join international university societies

Another way to connect directly to people who understand you is to join societies and clubs. You'll find a lot of international students like yourself who’re trying to create and foster cultural communities away from home. These are great places to improve your mental health, and these students often face similar challenges to you and can offer insightful advice.

Keep in touch with friends and family at home

This is important whether you’re feeling homesick or not. Having a consistently positive mindset is not a task that's easy to do alone. This is why it's vital that you stay connected with friends and family back home and always use your traditional support system whenever you're feeling down. Remember, these are the people who know you best and can often help when you’re feeling homesick.

How To Settle In As An International Student