HomeSick need advice

ztaylor
New Member



Joined: 22 Apr 2005
Posts: 1

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 8:35 am

 

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I have been in American for only a few months. I am trying to do well and am trying to fit in here. I feel lonely and am calling home daily. It’s not only expensive, but I feel like I am not letting go of my family and not enjoying it here as I should. Any advice to another expat?

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republican
Super Member



Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 193
Location: England

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 2:28 pm

 

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I guess advice is hard as homesickness hits us in many different ways. I left Canada when I was very young. I guess my advice is make some US friends and remember why you went to America in the first place. Maybe you can read some Canadian papers or see some Canadian media on www.cbc.ca to make you feel better.
Remember also-theres no shame in going home. I can't handle being an expat anymore so I am leaving in a year.
I hope this helps and if you ever wanna talk, PM me.
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long live the Canadian republic
vive la republic Canadienne
Ben

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michele-an
Junior Member



Joined: 01 Apr 2005
Posts: 13

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 8:50 am

 

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It's never easy to adjust to new situations and surroundings;however, you have to believe in your heart that you can do anything you want with your life and that nothing will stop you from achieving what you want. There are so many people in this world with different backgrounds and there is so much opportunity in the world. You have to open your eyes and be willing to try new things and meet new people. If you try and things just are not working out, then maybe going away at the particular time in your life was not the right time. So, you can consider going back later.
From my own experiences,having friends back home send me some Tim Horton's coffee always helped
You might way to download 'Skype;. It's free to download, and as long as you have a mic/headset, you can use you computer to call home. If you calling computer-to-computer its free, but if your calling from computer-to-mobile/landline, then there is a fee(buts its cheaper than most calling cards)!!!! I use it all the time when calling to/from Europe.

Best Luck,
Michele-An
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Michele-Ann

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Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1451
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:14 am

 

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find a phone plan that includes long distance calling for no charge. I have Verizon with no charge long distance for all of North America. I'm not sure if they're still offering this plan, but check it out.

There really is no cure for homesickness other than time. And even after several years it won't go away, it will just be a bit less noticable. Or so I'm told. I've only been in the States a few months myself, and I'm really not sure I'll ever really be comfortable here, but here is where my husband is and Canada won't let him in, so we don't have a lot of choice at the moment

Hand in there. And as someone else mentioned, there really is no shame in going back home.

Or just order yourself some Canadian foods from www.canadianfavourites.com that might help. I know I felt better after some Tim Horton's coffee and Laura Secord chocolate

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blackhole4
New Member



Joined: 25 Apr 2005
Posts: 1

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:34 am

 

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Enjoy your time in America. There is so much to see here, and you can always go back to Canada, but make the most of what you are doing now. Seriously. I don’t think calling your family is a bad thing and they are probably making your time a bit easier to handle. I have been in LA for over four years but I still call my family once or twice a week. I just think Canadians are closer to their families than Americans. If your calls are getting too pricey, I would try onesuite.com. I switched my service and am saving alot of money. Just remember that homesickness is just another part of experiencing.

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Linus
Junior Member



Joined: 18 Jan 2005
Posts: 20
Location: Vienna, Austria (from Ontario)

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:05 pm

 

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I moved from Canada to Austria six months ago and I still get homesick at times. I don't know what you're "into" but I found that by taking up hobbies, sports, joining the local groups etc made it a bit easier to make friends... all the while improving my German langauge skills! It's not easy to try to fit in and feel comfortable in your new home, even less when you speak the language.

I've given myself no time limits on how long I'll be here, but I do know that when I get tired or have had enough of this "home" I can always go back to Canada. It's where my heart is and will always be.

Don't feel guilty about calling home (although do try and get a cheaper phone rate) I used to call frequently and now have resorted to internet due to the time difference.

Only you will know when you've given it your best shot and when you've had enough and need to go home to Canada.

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MerrySage
Junior Member



Joined: 30 Jun 2005
Posts: 12
Location: West Midlands, England

Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:25 pm

 

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I only wish I was in America. At least you're not too far from home. You can always get cheap flights back more often to visit, and the goods and services you're used to are more readily available. Americans aren't that much different, compared to say living in a European or Asian country. Get a good long distance plan, call lots and fly home as often as you can afford.

I've been in England for three years now with my Brit husband and cannot wait to get the heck out of here. I plan to do the move back this time next year.
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No, there's no bears around the houses in Canada.

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Deus
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 16 Sep 2004
Posts: 225
Location: Wrecsam

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:59 am

 

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once in a while, i make quebec food, listen to quebec music or radio on the internet. I also have occasional quebecer themed partys. sad i know..but it works for me.

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