Hi there! In this blog post, I will talk about my loneliness in my college experience as a college student living abroad. In particular, I have been living in France for almost 4 years and this is what I have learned. Also, 5 things I do to feel more at home while I am studying abroad.
Moving abroad
I remember that when I decided to move to France people used to tell me A LOT that leaving abroad was not easy. I had heard stories about people going back to their country because they felt lonely and missed the food. “You are too young” or “You do not know what its like to be on your own, it isn’t easy!”, were phrases that I used to hear THOUSANDS of times. However, I did not mind a bit about it.
I knew that at some point I would be homesick, lonely, sad, confused, and tired. But, I had a dream to pursue. I wanted to discover other cultures, see for myself how people are in Europe, travel, study, and embark on new adventures. And so my journey began!
What have I experienced?
It has been 3 years since I left home. What have I learned? A LOT! Every year has been different, but I can tell you for sure that leaving on the other side of the world has not been easy.
- I have felt lonely SO MANY times
- There are days that all I wanted to do is cry because I miss my family and friends
- From time to time all I want to eat is Mexican food (I am Mexican), but I cannot because they do not have that food where I live
- During winter, I miss the sun!
5 things I do to cope with loneliness loneliness
1. I go to language exchange cafes
Where I live, there are 2 different language exchange cafes that take place every week. The concept: you go to these cafe-bars to learn or practice a foreign language, and to teach your mother tongue to others. People from all over the world go to these events and let me tell you, the atmosphere is GREAT! I have met A LOT of my closest friends there which has made me feel more at home.
If you want to meet new people, learn or practice a new language I recommend it to you 100%!
2. I go to events held by my university
Most universities, at least in France, organize a variety of free events for students. For example, I have been to a wine tasting event, a coaching talk, an event where they teach you how to build a CV, and more. It is a great opportunity to learn something new, meet new people, network and let people know that you exist.
Contact your university to learn more about the events they organize for you.
3. I take extracurricular activities
In my university, my tuition gives me access to different sports. For instance, Zumba, yoga, shiatsu (massage course), and boxing classes. Apart from taking care of my health by working out, it is a great opportunity to make new friends or bond with my new college friends.
If you have access to any extracurricular activities, try them! You might end up meeting your college best friend in there!
4. Study at the library
Go study at the library. At times, I get lonely at my place so I decide to go to the national library to study. It is great because you are surrounded by other people which might motivate you and increase your performance.
I have friends who dislike going to the library because they cannot concentrate, if that is your case then going to the library might not be ideal for you.
5. Join a community
Join the university student’s Facebook (FB) group, where you can ask any questions in regards to application forms, where to find accommodation, recommendations of where to eat, buy utensils for a great price for your apartment, you can even make new friends and more. You will be surprised at how many people are more than welcome to help you out.
Also, there are FB groups of different communities. For instance, Mexicans in Paris, Americans in France, Au Pair in Paris/France, and more. They are a great way to meet people coming from the same country as you and share each others’ experiences while leaving abroad. They might even give you very useful tips on how to deal with loneliness.
My advice
My advice to you is to surround yourself with people with whom you have a common interest(s). That way you have something to discuss and it is easier to make friends.
Remember that it is totally normal to feel a little bit blue, lonely, and confused. That is your body reacting to change and coping with it. However, if you keep feeling sad then you should seek professional help. Loneliness is an emotion that should not be taken lightly.
Some Universities offer psychological help to students, which I personally think is GREAT! As a matter of fact, I booked a consultation during my first year because I needed to talk to someone about what I was going through. I was experiencing so many changes and I needed to let it all out. If you want to cry, cry, that is the best advice I can give you. Emotions are there for a reason so listen to your body! Suppressing your emotions, the way you feel can have some serious health repercussions. So what better way than to let it all out.
I wish you all an AMAZING and UNFORGETTABLE experience while leaving abroad! Enjoy it because life is so short to suffer it :P.
Share with us your experience while leaving abroad in the comment section! What do you do to deal with loneliness? Do not hesitate to share it with us!
You might also be interested in this article: What is it like being a foreigner studying in France?
