Moving to another country can be a very stressful and emotional time. You experience Culture Shock and tend to get very homesick, not just for your family and friends but also for your country. This page is designed to help expats, who emigrated for love and are feeling just a little homesick and ‘country sick’.

Being Homesick and Country Sick can consist of many symptoms.

1. Being miserable without knowing why.

2. Crying for no reason.

3. Getting anxious or upset about little things that used to not bother you.

4. Getting fed up with new food, new smells, new scenery, and wanting the familiar.

These are just a few symptoms, or personal experiences I’ve had with being homesick. And here are just a few handy tips that I feel can overcome homesickness.

Communication: - It’s always best to talk about your feelings, talk to your Spouse on how you’re adjusting to your new way of life. Clayton has been very supportive of my homesickness, and has helped me in many ways.

If you feel you can’t talk to your Spouse then maybe you can talk to someone else, like a friend or a neighbor. Also try a local Expat support group in your area, or turn to the Internet there are many forums for Expats online. Check out my Expat links page.

Being optimistic: - This certainly is a challenge, trying to think Positive about things will make things a little easier. Try to think of the future and all the good things that you and your spouse can achieve together. All that time apart, and now you’re finally with that person, your new life can begin.

Keeping in touch: - This was something I did almost instantly, I’m very close to my family and friends back in the UK. I couldn’t bare not talking to them for months on end. Being in an LDR you learn to take the time to keep in touch with your loved one, the same rules apply afterwards. Take the time to write letters, send packages and photos to friends & family. Get a long distance plan put in on your phone, so you can call people once every week or 2wks. There’s also still the Internet, e-mail, Instant Message and the web cam. All things I use, to keep in touch with family & friends. It’s also a good idea to keep an online Journal, that way many of your family members and friends can see what your up too, from day to day.

Home Treats: - This is just something I couldn’t live without. Find a local store that sells products from your country. After doing a lot of research I found two British Stores near my area that sells all my Countries foods. There’s also ‘World Market’ that sells many British and European foods. My mother and family have also been a godsend, sending me packages every couple of weeks, filled with British products. Maybe getting a family member to send a few things might help.

Socialize: - Try and get involved with a local community group or club, being a stranger in a new country you tend to not have many friends. Joining a club or group can help you to meet new people and gain many new friends. Also see if you can find a local Country or Expat group, I just joined a Welsh Women’s Group. Many women have emigrated to the US and have joined the group. It helps to share many of your passions of your home country.

Culture: - Now that you’re in a different country it’s only polite to keep up with their traditions and customs. You can also celebrate your own customs and traditions with your spouse and their family. Once I emigrated I suddenly felt very country proud, of my own country. And wanted to celebrate many of our customs, being in a Expat group can help with that, as many Expat groups celebrate those special days.

Being Homesick is a very normal part of adjusting to a new country, just because you emigrated to be with your long distance love doesn’t mean that everything is going to be perfect all the time. Just be sure to talk to someone about how you’re coping and dealing with everything. Of the first 6mths of being in the US, I was at home on my own as Clayton was in work Mon-Fri. I got so lonesome for some company, being from a busy household I always had people around me. And suddenly I was in a Cottage out in the middle of nowhere, with not a sound to be had. It’s very easy to slip into some kind of Depression, and luckily I didn’t.

If you’re a person that has emigrated for your long distance love, and is feeling the strain of being in another country feel free to email me. I’d be happy to help, or if you just want to talk.

Please check out the following links for more information on Homesickness.

An Article about Homesickness

Family Life Abroad

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