Working abroad can be a thrilling experience. But, when you find yourself missing home, it can quickly become overwhelming. You may feel like returning home is the only solution. Still, many ways exist to find comfort and ease your homesickness from abroad.

Finding Comfort Abroad When You’re Missing Home

Stay Connected
Staying connected with friends and family back home is an extremely important way of finding comfort working abroad. With the abundance of technology, staying in touch is easier than ever. From Zoom to Skype, there's no excuse not to stay in contact! Plus, having conversations with family and friends will help remind you why you left home in the first place-the excitement of the new job opportunity or country that awaits you! And don't forget to exchange photos and stories so that your loved ones feel close by even when they're miles away. Here are ways how you can stay connected with your loved ones back home:
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• ​Explore Your Surroundings

Exploring your new surroundings can be a great way to find comfort while working abroad. It doesn't have to be overly ambitious-take a walk around the city block after work or visit the park on weekends. This will give you something positive to focus on instead of always feeling homesick. Plus, there are benefits to exploring your surroundings:

• Mood Boost

A change of scenery can boost your mood and make you appreciate what this new place offers. Chances are that it won't take long for you to find something special about your current location-maybe it's an amazing view, interesting people, or simply just being in another part of the world!

• Making New Friends

Exploring your surroundings can also be a great way to make new friends. Whether it's joining a local gym, taking classes at the community center, or just talking to people you meet on the street, social interaction can help ease any feelings of homesickness. Having a group of people that understand where you come from (or, better yet, have been through similar experiences) will offer much-needed support when those feelings of homesickness creep up on us again.

Create an Atmosphere That Reminds You of Home
If possible, try to decorate your apartment or house with items that remind you of home-photos of family and friends or decorations representing your hometown are great places to start. You could also look into attending events related to your culture-not only will it help you keep in touch with what's going on back home, but it will also introduce you to other ex-pats who understand what it's like being away from home. The following will also help you feel more at home in your new place:
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• Listening to Music

Music can be a great way to reconnect with home-it can act as a time machine and bring you back to a certain place or time. Put on some of your favorite songs from home and let them transport you back in time-you'll soon find yourself feeling less homesick! Save your favorites on Spotify and take them anywhere you go.

• Ordering Your Favorite Local Food

Food plays an important role in making you feel at home-so why not order your favorite local food? If you are from the Philippines, you can buy Filipino snacks online to get a taste of home and give yourself a little pick-me-up. These could be anything from chips to nuts. Local stores also offer a selection of imported snacks from different cultures. You can explore new flavors while satisfying your craving for something familiar.

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No matter where you are, feeling homesick is normal, especially when you leave your family far behind. But if you keep your mind open and your heart full, then you can always find ways to connect with your new surroundings and, soon enough, hopefully, start calling it "home" away from home!

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