One of the hardest things about being away from home is surrounding yourself in an unfamiliar place with people you don’t know. Making friends is a great way to combat homesickness, as well as being able to explore new places and get to know interesting new people.
Aside from the experience you get by travelling the world and learning about new cultures and history, getting to know the locals widens your horizons and can result in long-lasting friendships.
Follow Your Interests
One of the most important things about any summer abroad program is that it is something you enjoy and are interested in. There is no point taking time to go to Greece and exploring the ancient gladiatorial colosseums when you are more interested in the Costa Rican rainforests and wildlife.
When you are on a course that piques your interest, it becomes a lot easier to talk to the other people in the class, as you have mutual interests. It can lead to conversations with others around you, widening your social circle.
People are generally attracted to others who get just as passionate about their interests, as it allows them to be more relaxed and comfortable in new situations.
Learn to Live like a Local
Branching out to learn more about local culture opens your world and provides a safe setting to become friends with your new travel partners. Exploring the city with follow students gives a great opportunity to get to know people.
It also allows you to further immerse yourself in the language and culture and create more opportunities to meet and engage with new people.
After-School Activities
Getting involved in an activity that you would do at home can help with homesickness, as well as making new friends. This activity doesn’t require a connection with why you are on the program, but something else you would do.
Sports is a team-building exercise and a healthy activity that gives a physical and mental break from studying.
Nature clubs allow you to explore and take in the sights that tourists don’t typically see, and music clubs permit you to take a breather and relax in another passion of yours.
Open Your Mind And Explore
Exploring the local area, taking the road less travelled, and wandering down the beaten path are all ways to get to know your surroundings better, experience local culture, and get to know the new and fascinating people you’re travelling with.
Volunteering
Getting involved in the local community doesn’t just look good on college applications and resumes, but is a resource regarding getting a well-rounded education/experience and meeting new people.
They are a great way to spend a little of your downtime and take your mind off studying for a short time. While you don’t need to befriend everyone in the area, making a few connections is beneficial. It helps you to acclimatize to your new surroundings.
Phones Down, Eyes Up
Technology runs a high percentage of our lives, and most of us feel lost without it. Yet, we don’t realize what we miss when we are continually on our screens.
Taking the occasional picture or video to capture a moment is worthwhile and allows us to show people at home our adventures. If we don’t take the time to look up, we miss things around us.
We also run the risk of coming off as unapproachable and anti-social when we are constantly looking down. By unplugging for a day, we see so much more of the world and people, allowing us to engage and interact with real people.
Friends For Life
You have chosen to study abroad for many reasons, and you don’t want to miss a thing. But trying to take everything in all at once is overwhelming and can lead to more intense homesickness.
When we take a moment to move away from the textbooks, put down our phones and look up, we see the real world, not just what is in books. We get to engage with the people who make up the world.
Taking part in celebrations and extra-curricular activities and exploring the side streets allows you to learn so much more and engage with the local people. You might find your new best friend out there in the crowd.
Get started on your journey to culture and friendship by contacting Global Summers Academy at 1-844-357-2621 or going online for more information today.
