I am in a UK university, and am in the midst of a examination and it is really pressurising for overseas undergraduates. Really envy all those guys/gals in NUS/NTU.

Any solutions to overcome home sickness?

Hmm..I have actually intended to work here in UK after graduating. Any comments?

Mike Lee

Living in a foreign country away from your natural and comfortable surroundings can be quite difficult at first. Most people adjust after two to three terms. Many who have the privilige of studying overseas have found that it has enriched their lives tremendously.

There are two factors here that will determine your ability to cope with home sickness.

The first is that of adaptability. This refers to our ability to adjust to new things. Some people are able to cope with changes quite well while others have great difficulty. One way of overcoming this is to try to find similiarities in your new environment that may assist you in settling down. Examples of such stimulus could be music, food, hobbies ..etc.

The other factor is very much dependent on your effort to make new friends and learn the culture of the foreign land. The more we expose ourselves to the people of the country, the better we will be able to adjust to the new environment. In addition, these new friends will occupy our lives and interacting with them enables us to feel more at home. You may also want to join some societies or clubs on campus. If you live alone, try getting yourself into the University Hostel. They often provide a good starting point for making new friends.

Finally, learn to enjoy this opportunity of studying in the UK. There is much to do and see in the country and neighbouring Europe. All the best in your studies.