How to Help a Student with Homesickness

Regardless of how well a student is adapting to their new home, they are bound to feel homesick once in a while. After all, they have been torn away from everything and everybody they love and thrown into a new country and culture. And often, as minors, they have little to no choice on where the family will lay down new roots. So, it is normal and to be expected.  

Homesickness can be fleeting, a temporary feeling that quickly passes. Or it can be a deep longing that doesn’t leave easily.   Though ideally homesickness will be addressed at home, teachers can still have an impact and help lessen those negative feelings. 

What are the symptoms of homesickness? 

Some symptoms are easy to notice, while others may be somewhat hidden. They can also vary in severity and often come and go, lessening in time. If you have a newcomer student, look for certain signs. 

These include: 

• Thoughts and pangs of longing for home; 

• Sudden sadness and crying; 

• Anger and feeling upset; 

• Anxiety and feeling scared or panicky; 

• Hopelessness and feeling withdrawn; 

• Physical symptoms like a headache, nausea or a stomach-ache; 

• Feelings of isolation and loneliness or being withdrawn; 

• Low self-esteem; 

• Lack of appetite; 

• Inability to sleep or interrupted sleep; and 

• Social and behavioural issues. 

What can you do? 

• Make sure your student knows that it is normal to feel this way. Homesickness is totally common. It happens to kids who move into a new neighbourhood within the same city, so it makes complete sense that your student feels homesick when moving across the world. So, give them the time and the room to feel these feelings. Acknowledge and validate their feelings, and make sure they know that they are not alone. 

• A routine can help them get better established. Though as an educator, you have little control over what happens within a child’s home, you can make sure to have a good, solid routine set in your classroom.  

• Share your culture and embrace theirs. If you have the opportunity, add some cultural elements to your lessons and activities. You can also celebrate your student’s holidays. The whole classroom is bound to have an amazing time while they learn about other cultures, religions and beliefs. 

• Facilitate friendships. It may be easier said than done, but the sooner your homesick student creates friendships with their peers, the sooner they will feel comfortable and at home. It has been shown repeatedly that close bonds are one of the biggest indicators of happiness, and it is a sure-fire way to ease their homesickness. 

• Keep the parents aware. A child may be trying to keep a brave face around their family members, or they may come from a culture where children cannot share their feelings openly. So, when possible, meet with your student’s parents and share any progress or regression the child may be going through. Then you can work together to establish a helpful plan. 

• Encourage students to join in school clubs and activities or volunteer. The more involved a child gets within the community, the more they will feel a sense of belonging. They will feel a sense of pride in their new home, make friends, learn some new skills, and have fun.