7 Things You Feel While Abroad During The Holidays
Start writing a post
Student Life

7 Things You Feel While Abroad During The Holidays

Being away from home during the holidays is hard sometimes.

35
7 Things You Feel While Abroad During The Holidays
Framesi

Living abroad thousands of miles away from your friends and family can be really challenging at times. Pair this with the holiday season and you're sure to feel some level of homesickness. I'm here to let you know you're definitely not going through these emotions alone. Here are some relatable feelings I've experienced while abroad for the holidays.

1. Jealous of everyone on break

Depending on the country you're living in, your holiday might be just another normal day. While your hometown friends are reuniting over Netflix binge sessions and Chinese food, you're slaving away on papers and homework at school. I promise I'll never take another Thanksgiving break for granted ever again!

2. Endless cravings for all the foods your host country doesn't sell

Cravings hit you like a freight train. Grandma's cookies. Your cousin's famous fudge. Grandpa's stuffing. The ham. The turkey. What I'd do to be eating myself into a food coma. You might be really disappointed when you prowl the supermarket aisles for stuffing, sweet potatoes, and cornbread just to find that those items aren't sold in your host country. You'll walk home with a pizza and think, "Since when do I even like cornbread anyway?"

3. Miss being asked those repetitive, annoying questions

You all know what questions I'm talking about. The ones you're asked twelve times in the first thirty minutes of entering any family get together ever. Where's your boyfriend? When are you graduating? What do you want to do with your life? Surprisingly, you start to miss this.

4. New dislike for social media

Social media is great for keeping in touch with your friends and family while abroad.... until you've seen forty-two people's Thanksgiving plates, watched six people decorate their Christmas trees, and now your homesickness has skyrocketed. Thanks guys.

5. Reflection on how much you've grown

You start to get all emotional and realize that this is the opportunity of a lifetime. You might start to reminisce on how much you've grown as a person. You're living alone in a foreign country. And you're surviving. Go you!

6. Thankful for the new friends you have made

You become super thankful for all the friends you've made. They're right by your side to cheer you up when you feel alone. It's like you've grown a new little family and you wouldn't trade them for the world.

7. New love for your family's traditions

Above all else, you'll find a new love and appreciation for your family's traditions. Even the little things, like just spending time together around the dinner table, will have a new meaning to you. Your family is one of a kind and the memories you make during the holidays will last forever.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

44261
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

117929
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments