Even when you’re busy with work and friends and all the other things that come with living in another country, homesickness will strike. It comes in different stages. When you live overseas, the first weeks are a bit like a vacation or a honeymoon period. Everything feels new and exciting. Trying the new foods, hearing the new language – everything is interesting.
Eventually, the honeymoon is over, the novelty of the new country wears off, and you get into a routine. Life begins to feel a lot like it did back home. Some people go through culture shock of some kind, and homesickness. I’ve been lucky, after almost five months here, I’ve had no culture shock, thanks to my time in Japan before.
No matter how long you’ve lived overseas, or how many countries you’ve been to, January feels like a struggle. Like in Canada, with the winter blues, we’re all dealing with winter being cold and miserable, the holidays being over, and money suddenly being tight. The biggest difference is, the small comforts we may have taken shelter in back home are suddenly missing.
When I do get hit with homesickness, it’s never for the things you think I would miss. Of course I miss my family, but the internet and Skype make it easy to keep in touch with them. The things I find myself missing are very simple things. Jello. Miracle Whip. Mars bars and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. I end up missing pets more than I miss most people, simply because I can’t write to a dog.
Most people that I’ve spoken to this month don’t even seem to realize they are homesick. They describe it as “feeling a little down, and having strange cravings.” They’re almost always for things from overseas. On days like those, my friends and I do our best to go have as “foreign” a day as possible. Today, we went to Outback Steakhouse, which are surprisingly popular in Korea. There, we inhaled cheese fries with the rare and illusive ranch dressing and brownie sundaes. We all felt over-stuffed, but sometimes, it’s worth it.
Next to food cravings, word cravings hit the worst. English teachers overseas spend a lot of time speaking in slow, broken English to people. There’s not much English around, and you end up missing it. A lot of my friends take to reading. After going to dinner today, my friends and I stumbled across a giant, three floor bookstore. I didn’t realize how much I missed reading until I saw the English book section and let out a squeal of joy. Most of my friends ended up getting a Kindle for Christmas for reading ease. For now, I’ll stick to using my iPod Touch.
Despite the moments of homesickness, working overseas is still an amazing experience. The good times definitely outweigh the bad ones, and the cravings go away. Though, if you know someone living overseas, may I suggest a small care package of a letter, a small book, and a Reeses. They’ll appreciate it more than you’ll expect.
I find myself watching more English-language telly and listening to more English-language music when I’m abroad (it’s the excuse I’m giving as to why I’m stocking up on Doctor Who DVDs XD). I listen to a lot of Japanese music, but when I was in Japan I’d often find myself skipping to the next English track.
Also, your birthday parcel is being put together this week, aiming to post it next week. It’s not gonna be as impressive as I wished, what with funds being short, but still… I hope you’ll like it!