No matter how excited or prepared you are, when you go abroad, you are bound to get homesick. No matter how those around you present themselves, they are homesick too. However, embracing and understanding these feelings in the context of your journey can help ease your spirit.
I was beyond excited to study at the University of Limerick, as were my friends also studying
abroad here. However, we all have talked about how our homesickness hit us harder than expected and how we have felt guilty about missing home. It is important to understand that no matter how much fun you have at UL, it is normal to still miss home. This unwelcome feeling can be difficult to understand and grapple with, especially with everything else: new classes, the
immigration process, trying to make friends, and more. It can also make you feel like you are not taking advantage of your time abroad. However, I am here to give you some tips on how I address these feelings and simultaneously enjoy myself in Ireland
One of my top coping mechanisms is walking. Whenever I feel sad because I miss home, I am stressed about new challenges in my time abroad, or any other reason, I find that moving my body is helpful. Additionally, walking allows you to explore your new home and have time for reflection. Whether you walk for 15 minutes or two hours, once you finish, you are
bound to feel at least a bit better. This is also a great strategy at UL because of the countless walking paths along the Shannon River, which I frequent. You can also connect with your family and friends back home by
taking pictures of all that you see. Some of my favorite subjects are the swans and dogs around
Limerick
My second go-to for gaining perspective and embracing my time abroad is spending time with my new friends here. Whether texting them about future plans or agreeing to hang out at the moment, this always gives me something to look forward to and makes me feel less alone. I have to remind myself that my friends here
likely feel similar to me, or have at some point in the past, so they can also be good to confide in. One of the easiest spontaneous hangouts at UL is going to the Stables Club because the venue has countless nightly events. Another option is the Milk Market that happens every weekend in downtown Limerick. Additionally, the Hynan tours every weekend are a good way to spend a whole day with friends and see more of what Ireland has to offer.
Along that same line, planning travel can ensure that you feel you are embracing your time abroad, expanding your horizons, and spending time with new people. Whether planning a solo or group trip in Ireland or another country, giving yourself a new experience to look forward to, and eventually live, is always helpful. In addition to the advertised Hynan tours, I like to take the train or bus with friends to places like Galway, Killarney, and simply downtown Limerick. All of these locations are easily accessible, full of activities, and unique from each other. For trips outside of Ireland, I like to browse Ryanair for affordable flights to locations across Europe. Even just searching for these possibilities can lift my spirits and motivate me to explore more in this special experience.
If you want to navigate your feelings without having to reach out to others all the time, one of the best ways to do so is to work on hobbies, whether old or new. This will give you time to yourself and make your experience abroad unique and meaningful. These give you the space to breathe while building a new skill. I also find hobbies to be soothing and productive. Some hobbies I brought with me to UL are crocheting, reading, and running. These have also led me to multiple clubs at the university that give me the chance to practice my hobby with others! I have joined the Crafts Club, Fashion Society, and more. Additionally, you can form hobbies that relate to the new culture that surrounds you. For example, the tin whistle is a popular instrument in Ireland, and you can buy one for less than 20 euros in downtown Limerick. Hobbies are an undefeated
way to soothe, improve, and satisfy yourself all in one, whether alone or with others
A final simple, but not to be overlooked strategy to ease homesickness is to cook. Luckily, all on-campus accommodations at UL have kitchens. Cooking is a great way to not only provide for yourself, but to reflect and calm. If I am upset, cooking a delicious meal always makes me feel better because the process is satisfying and the results are delicious. Furthermore, you can use this time to explore local ingredients and recipes while improving the cooking skills you may or may not have. Even if you do not have the funds or time for intense meals, you can do a lot with a little. In my time here, I have made so many different types of pasta! Putting in a little extra effort by chopping up some veggies or adding protein to your noodles and
sauce can make a huge difference.
Overall, the flow and intentionality of cooking a thoughtful meal for yourself is uplifting and gives you time to think while performing a necessary task. All of these are ways that I help myself understand my situation abroad and embrace the good and bad that comes with it. Enjoying your experience does not mean you have to constantly seek extravagance and adventure. Some of the best ways to relieve homesickness and immerse yourself in a new culture are simple tasks. The University of Limerick has been a great environment for each of these strategies, and I have grown to love the university more every day. I hope that these tips help you, and that you love it here too.
Study Ireland - Stories & Guides from International Students 
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