Studying abroad in Sydney, Australia was a lifechanging experience that fostered personal and academic growth as I stepped outside my comfort zone and embraced the adventure. Sydney truly became home for me, even while navigating homesickness and unfamiliarity of adjusting to a new culture.   

Prior to my departure abroad, I had a mix of emotions- overwhelming excitement to live in a place I had always dreamed of exploring but also feelings of anxiety and fear, especially as the only student from my university going to Sydney. I knew there would be many days of feeling an overwhelming sense of wonder and excitement, but I also knew there would be hard days to come. Days where the culture shock hits harder, the unfamiliarity is staggering, community takes longer to build, and times where homesickness would be challenging.  

Arriving in Sydney 

As I arrived in Sydney and began to adjust to studying abroad, I began to realize that I may be the only one here from my home university, but I am NOT the only one navigating and adapting to this new adventure. I love the small cohort of students that study abroad with CEA CAPA - people that were once strangers became close friends. 

Although I definitely found myself missing my family and friends in the states, I also gained an even greater appreciation for them. Looking back, I honestly cannot imagine my time studying abroad without the people I met and the adventures we went on together.  

Homesickness was an obstacle I faced. However, there was also a sense of belonging as I learned how to best navigate and adapt to these challenges through the following ways:  

Sydney, Australia Fall 2024 Cohort at the Blue Mountains.  

When You Find Yourself Homesick 

There is no perfect way to cope and respond to homesickness, but I do think there are several resources and habits you can develop to help you feel more at home while studying abroad. These are five ways I felt were most helpful when I felt anxious about being homesick: 

1: Journal and Gratitude 

I have always loved journaling and believe it is such a great way to look back on your time studying abroad. It’s a space to write your honest thoughts and emotions as you navigate through the good and hard times. I always kept my journal in my backpack or bag to pull out when I found myself with extra time or feeling the need to journal.  

I also found it helpful to write out the specific things I was grateful for and it was a sweet reminder that I was living in something I had dreamed about so much.  

2: Explore Somewhere New 

Go explore somewhere new, whether in your city or travel! I loved exploring Sydney and different coffee shops, markets, restaurants, beaches, and hikes. Take advantage of all that's around you!  

One of my favorite adventures was when I snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef. It is something I had always wanted to do and became what I most wanted to share and tell my friends and family about! 

Picture of Fitzroy Island- The Great Barrier Reef  

3: Find Consistent Times to Talk to Friends and Family 

The time difference from the U.S. to Australia was 17 hours so finding time to talk with my friends and family was often very challenging because of our opposite schedules. I always FaceTimed my family on Monday mornings and that helped me to always have a time I knew I could connect with them.  

I also grew to love and appreciate sending voice memos because I could send them at any point in the day. I would often walk through the Botanical Gardens in Sydney and send my friends voice memos updating them on my time and then would always look forward to listening to their voice memos. There was something that felt so special to hear their voices rather than just read a text.  

Sydney Botanical Gardens  

4: Be Outside & Moving 

Take care of your physical health. Some days this may look like resting and napping by the beach or sleeping in. But other days, I would encourage you to move your body in some form or another. For me, I’ve always loved long walks and really enjoyed the coastal walks in Sydney like Bondi to Coogee, Spit to Manly, Botanical Gardens, and Royal National Park to name a few of my favorite trails! 

One of my favorite moments abroad was hiking the coastal track of Royal National Park with friends! 

Hiking Royal National Park 

5: Share How You're Feeling with Other Study Abroad Students  

Some of the best conversations I had with other students in my cohort were when we were honest about our feelings of homesickness and missing friends and family. The more we talked about it, the more I was reminded that you are truly not alone in your feelings and emotions of homesickness. Initiate conversations with your roommates or friends abroad and consistently check in on them!  

Advice For When You Find Yourself Homesick 

Overall, the best advice I have if you find yourself homesick is to do things that make this new city feel like home. Take the things you love and enjoy doing back in the States and bring that with you abroad. For me, this looked like going to coffee shops, visiting local farmers markets, attending church in Sydney, reading books and watching shows I love, and eating my favorite ice creams! Take care of yourself and do things that bring you joy and rest.  

My friends and I visiting one of my favorite local markets, Carriageworks Markets in Sydney