Homesick for the Holidays

This time of year can be one of the most difficult times for American students abroad.  The weeks between Thanksgiving -- a holiday celebrated only in America and centered around foods that are often impossible to find overseas (try asking a British baker for pumpkin pie, or finding a turkey in Eastern Europe!) -- and Christmas can make students acutely aware of their distance from friends and family.  Nostalgia frequently hits as the traditions of their childhood clash with the expectations of winter holidays in their present locale, and the long, dark, cold nights certainly do not inspire a cheerful heart.

The impact of the holidays on homesickness was never more apparent to me than during my stay in Romania.  Aware that this would be a difficult time of year for me, I attempted to distract myself with a two-week-long train trip through Eastern Europe.  The excitement of seeing new and fabulous places -- including the Prague Christmas market, the museums of Berlin, and the cathedral of Krakow -- certainly dulled the ache of distance, but when I discovered on Christmas Day that most places are closed and I had to have my Christmas dinner in the only open restaurant in town -- a McDonald's -- I felt completely alone.

So then how can American students abroad help overcome the homesickness of the winter months?  Below are a few good tips:

1.  Stay busy!  Our feelings of homesickness often increase when we have little else to occupy our thoughts.  Taking a side trip, volunteering in the community, starting a new hobby -- any of these things can provide the distraction and excitement to fight homesickness, and will help the holidays pass more quickly.

2.  Find other Americans.  Although I never recommend staying in an American clique while abroad, the pain of spending the holidays alone can be reduced by spending time with people who are sharing your experiences.  Perhaps you will make your own Thanksgiving feast using whatever local substitutes are available -- while native friends might not understand the importance of these replacement dishes, your American companions will appreciate the attempt at moulding a turkey from tofu, or mashing yams instead of sweet potatoes.

3.  Learn local holiday traditions.  One of the greatest perks to studying abroad is the opportunity to mingle in a foreign culture.  Taking advantage of your local friends' novel ways of doing things will add some excitement to the holidays and help reduce homesickness.  Maybe the recipe for mulled wine you discovered in Germany will be delicious enough to bring back to the US for your own holiday celebrations next year.

4.  Share your traditions with others.  While you do not want to come across as imposing, keeping your traditions is often a good way to initiate discussion and share part of your culture.  If you always bake Christmas cookies, share them with your non-Christian friends in the Middle East as a tasty treat, and save the preaching for later.

5.  Chat with those at home.  Like #2 above, this piece of advice must be used in moderation.  While spending an hour on Skype with your relatives around the dinner table might allow you to feel part of the activities, spending the whole day chained to your laptop will not only make you feel worse about the distance but will also prevent you from exploring the more exciting holiday options discussed here.

Hopefully this advice will help you come through the New Year in good spirits!  Please share your experiences in the comments section, and if you disagree or have any other good tips let us know!

Merry Christmas!  הנוכה שמח!  ¡Feliz Navidad!  عيد مبارك!