None of us are strangers to homesickness. We’ve all experienced it at some point in our lives—whether going away for the weekend or deciding to make the move to attend college out of your home state.
Homesickness often happens when you least expect it, even when all the life changes you are experiencing are anticipated.
At Bethany Global University (BGU), many of our students come from around the world to explore a career in cross-cultural ministry and missions. Starting junior year, all undergraduate students participate in our Global Internship program, gaining hands-on experience in their field of study by living overseas for 13 months.
For some, it can be daunting living far away in a different culture. While there is no perfect cure to fill the longing for familiarity, family, and comfort, there are ways to deal with homesickness.
15 Practical Solutions for Homesickness
We want to equip you with practical tools to combat homesickness while on campus at BGU and living overseas as a Global Intern. Remember, you are not alone—God is walking with you every step of the way.
1. Spend Time in Prayer
Ask God to comfort you in your season of loneliness.
He understands what you are going through and deeply cares for you. Ask Him to show you why you are experiencing homesickness.
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
-Psalm 55:22
2. Spend Time in God’s Word
Take time to sit with your Bible and read God’s promises of comfort and healing. He can bring refreshment to your heavy heart.
He knows your longings, desires, fears, and feelings of sadness. You can rest in His love.
Although you are in a new place or foreign country, God is with you. Allow His Word to guide, encourage, and strengthen you during this time.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
-Psalm 46:1-3
3. Keep in Contact With Your Family
Set aside time weekly to connect with your family and friends back home. Continuing to hear from your loved ones helps to deepen relationships.
Take time during these calls to share what your life is like and to hear how they are doing. It’s important to have time for you to both share and listen.
Don’t be afraid to keep reaching out to the people you love and care about back home!
4. Share What You’re Going Through With Fellow Students
Your BGU community is there to comfort you and help you process. Your fellow students and friends will be able to point you towards the truth and support you.
Don’t be ashamed of your emotions or hide from them. Let others know how you’re feeling and ask them to pray for you.
5. Connect with BGU Staff
Reach out to our experienced BGU staff members and be open about your struggle with homesickness.
We always encourage potential and current BGU students to reach out if they are struggling with homesickness—whether from moving states to our campus in Bloomington, Minnesota or from moving overseas on Global Internship.
One way we practically support our students both on-campus and overseas is through prayer ministry appointments. These appointments are centered on prayer and give the student space and time to process challenges, such as a season of homesickness.
6. Embrace the Culture Around You
Learn to embrace the new place you are living in. Even on days you want to stay inside and avoid the culture, challenge yourself to go out into the community daily.
A weapon used against you during this time is discontentment. When you are always longing to be somewhere else, you often forget to enjoy where you are at.
Find things you enjoy about your new culture. Try new foods, make new friends, and go do things you have never done before! Engaging in the culture will help you walk out of homesickness.
7. Build Friendships with Locals While Living Overseas
In a place of unfamiliarity, you may be afraid of meeting new people.
Pushing yourself to connect and befriend locals will help you feel more at home. Find places you can go to and meet new people. Try visiting a coffee shop, market, or a school.
8. Practice Daily Gratitude
Your new home is not going to feel like anything you are used to, and that’s okay.
If you’re struggling to see the positive side of your new life, start naming three things you are grateful for daily.
Thankfulness and joy change our perspective and affects how we interact with God and with others.
“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.”
– Kay Warren, author of Choose Joy
9. Don’t Give Up in the Hard Moments
Living cross-culturally is not easy. Moving to a new state in America is not easy.
Keep persevering in the work God has called you to do. When you think life at home could be easier, remember you are walking in obedience to the Lord.
You may not see the fruit of your labor, but the Lord rewards those who are faithful to Him.
10. Be Careful of Overusing Social Media
For some people, scrolling Instagram helps them feel more connected with their family and friends. For others, this causes them to feel jealous or discontent with where they are living.
As you scroll social media or watch shows, be mindful of how much time you are spending. There is nothing wrong with watching a movie in the evening, but too much is not healthy for anyone, regardless of where you are living.
11. Explore the Country
It’s important not to be cooped up in your house all day. Get out and explore the place you are living in. Find a new restaurant, hiking trail, or grocery store to check out.
If time allows, take a day or weekend trip to a nearby city. Enjoy the unique places and things the country has to offer!
12. Keep a Journal
Journaling about your experiences on campus at BGU and in the field on Global Internship will help you process what you are going through.
Later on, you can look back and see the progress you made. You can also see how your perspective and attitude have changed.
13. Be Hospitable
While living overseas, find creative ways to invite locals over to your home. Invite your language helper over for tea or ask a friend to teach you how to make a local dish!
People are likely interested in why you have come to their country; this is a perfect opportunity to build relationships. Through these conversations, you can share the love of Christ.
14. Fill Your Home with Worship
Make your home a space where worship is consistently present. Allow your heart to be open to the Lord. Welcome Him into the hardships and loneliness you are feeling with being away from home.
For beautiful Christ-centered music, check out Bethany International Music. Established in 2021, Bethany International Music was created to bring glory to God through worship.
You can find their music on Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Finally Breathing (feat. Christian Billman) – LIVE from the Aegean Sea // BI Music
15. Remember Your Home is With Jesus
“My home is in heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.” – Billy Graham
While you are missing your family and the comforts of home, remember to keep the bigger picture in mind. None of us on earth are home yet. We look forward to the day when Christ returns!
The homesickness you experience in the field should remind you of your eternal home with Jesus. Though we may be away from home, He promises to never leave us.
To read an encouraging story of how one of our Global Interns walked through a season of homesickness and grew to love the country she was in, click here!
