Homesick

Any remedies for homesickness would be appreciated. Also if anyone is living in Hangzhou please reply.

Remedies?

Well, it's tough, that's for sure. I'd suggest trying to find more expats to hang out with (there may be a local english language newspaper you can consult) or try occupying yourself with various activities (maybe language lessons?).

There's no easy fix! It's a matter of keeping yourself busy and learning the ins and outs of the nwe culture you find yourself in. Time will make the difference.

Good luck!

I don't know how long you have been overseas but have to assume you are new to the expat life? Everyone moves overseas excited about the new life and opportunities. When the excitement wears off you are faced with the realities of living in a strange environment and culture and it can be quite overwhelming. Before you made the decision to move overseas you will have weighed the pros and cons of the expat life. The trick during these low times is to mentally revisit this list and hang on to the positives. They are still there but harder to see through the haze of the third world culture & environment.

The good news is that this first low in your new experience is a short one. Typically you will go on a vacation, meet some new friends, or have some other event that will pull you out of the doldrums. So hang on, enjoy the cultural experience and new found friends.

When you return from your first visit back to Canada you will be glad to get home. Yes in that first week you get back you will realize that this is indeed your home and once this feeling sets in the life will only get better and better. My wife an I have been living the expat life for well over a decade and I can tell you that if you enjoy the expat life there is no better.

All the best,

Jeff Longphee
Sumatra, Indonesia
longphee@yahoo.com

Hey Bill!

I know exacyly how you're feeling right now! I've been in Wuhan, China for exactly one month today, and let me tell you, this sure ain't Calgary anymore!

For a while there I was so sad and so homesick, that it was a struggle to get up in the mornings to teach my classes. I didn't want to see or talk to anyone, but didn't have a choice since people kept nocking at my door to 'visit' at all hours. The city i'm living in has 8 million people, but very few foreigners. And the foreigners that ARE here, are all located about an hour or so away from me, on the other side of the city. So I'm pretty much alone here, at my school, which is out in the boonies, far away from the city and anyone that I could talk and hangout with. Sure the chinese teachers are great and their english is pretty good, but i can't communicate with them on the 'same level', you know what I mean? )

I'm happy to say that I've gotten over the worst of it, the excitement kept me going for a week or two, then BAM! all down hill after that. But I went to a party for foregin teachers, where I got to meet fellow travellers for the first time on Saturday and man, did it ever help! It revitalized my spirits somewhat, and now, over the national holiday, I will spend my week figuring out how I can get around in this city, so i don't feel confined or trapped. But it's important to make foreign friends (it's like oxygen!) keep busy, play badminton maybe, and just tell yourself, over and over again, "this too shall pass":)

like i said, i'm not quite there, i still have my ups and downs, but one day at a time. I hope you feel better soon. i made my boyfriend and family all buy webcams and it is AWESOME to chat with them on the computer and see their faces. Gets me going through my hard days!

Lots of luck to you!

And man, am i ever glad i found this website! I miss home. Canada totally kicks ass! )

BellaFyre