Homesick Abroad: A Guide for Indian Students
The excitement carries you through the airport, the first week of orientation, and the first grocery run. Then the semester actually starts. Everyone speaks fast, the food is bland, it gets dark at four in the afternoon, and by the time your family wakes up, you’re already in bed.
Feeling homesick while studying abroad is one of the most common parts of the experience, and you’re far from alone. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, about 18.8 lakh Indian students were studying abroad as of 1 January 2025, and about 7.6 lakh left India to study in 2024 alone. This guide covers why it hits hard, and what helps Indian students settle in.
Why homesickness abroad can feel heavier
Moving to another country stacks several changes on top of each other. You’re not just away from family. You’re also dealing with a new language or accent, new rules, new food, different weather, and often money worries and visa paperwork.
- Time zones. Your family’s evening is your night, or your morning. Calls take planning, and the hours when you most need someone are often the hours home is asleep.
- Food. Missing home food is real, and it’s not small. Food carries comfort and routine, and a big part of who you are.
- Culture shock. Small things, like how people greet each other or how teachers expect you to speak up in class, can make you feel out of step.
- Distance. A trip home isn’t a weekend train ride. Knowing you can’t easily go back can make the feeling sharper.
Studies in the US and the Netherlands have found that international students tend to feel more homesick than local students. In the US study, being younger, less confident in English, or facing discrimination went with more homesickness.
What usually helps in the first months
- Build a weekly routine fast. Fixed times for classes, meals, sleep, and exercise give your week a backbone.
- Find your people, plural. The Indian student association is a great soft landing, especially for festivals. Also join at least one group with local and international students, so your world doesn’t get too small.
- Learn to cook three dishes from home. Dal, rice, and one sabzi go a long way. Cooking with others is also an easy way to make friends.
- Get daylight and movement. If you’ve moved somewhere with short winter days, morning light and regular exercise help your mood and sleep.
- Plan calls around both time zones. A fixed weekend call, plus short voice notes during the week, works for many families.
- Use campus support early. Most universities have international student advisers and free counselling. Using them early is smart, not a sign that something’s wrong.
Understanding culture shock
Many students describe culture shock as coming in waves. The first weeks can feel exciting. Then the differences start to wear on you, and that’s often when homesickness peaks. Over time, most students find their footing and the new place starts to feel workable, even comfortable.
Knowing this pattern helps. If you hit a slump a few weeks in, it doesn’t mean the move was wrong. It often means you’re in the hardest stretch of adjusting.
On nights when it’s late at home and you need to talk, SelfMind is available any time, in English, Hindi, or Hinglish. It’s a private AI companion you can reach by text or by voice. It won’t replace your family or friends, but it can help you get through a rough evening.
Try a quick check-in How You Connect in Relationships
Festivals far from home
Diwali, Eid, Onam, Durga Puja, or a family wedding you can’t attend can bring a fresh wave of homesickness, even months in. Plan for these days in advance. Find out what your Indian student association is organising, cook something special, and schedule a video call for when your family is celebrating. Our post on Diwali away from home has more ideas.
When to get support
Reach out to your university counselling service or a doctor if homesickness isn’t easing after several weeks, or if you notice:
- Low mood most days for two weeks or more
- Skipping classes, meals, or sleep
- Pulling away from everyone, including family
- Feeling hopeless or trapped
- Thoughts of hurting yourself
If you’re in danger, call the local emergency number in the country you’re in. Indian helplines like Tele-MANAS are designed for callers in India, so save your university’s emergency and counselling numbers in your phone on day one. Our guide to homesickness versus depression can help you work out what you’re feeling.
How do you deal with homesickness while studying abroad?
Build a weekly routine quickly, join the Indian student association and at least one mixed group, learn to cook a few dishes from home, and plan regular calls that work across time zones. Use your university’s international student and counselling services early. If low mood lasts two weeks or more, get professional support.
Conclusion
Being homesick while studying abroad doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for it. It means you’re doing something hard, far from the people and places that shaped you.
Give yourself a few months, keep your routines steady, and use the support around you. SelfMind is there at any hour, whatever the time is back home.
It's late at home. You still want to talk?
SelfMind is there any time, in English, Hindi, or Hinglish, by text or voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to feel homesick when studying abroad?
Yes. Homesickness is very common among international students, especially in the first months. It usually eases as you build routines and friendships.
When does homesickness peak for international students?
Many students feel it most a few weeks after arriving, once the initial excitement fades and the differences start to wear on them. It can also return around festivals, exams, or after a trip home.
How can I stop missing Indian food abroad?
Learn to cook a few simple dishes from home, find Indian grocery stores nearby, and cook with other students. Food is a big part of feeling at home, so it’s worth the effort.
Should I spend time only with other Indian students?
Indian friends can be a great comfort, especially early on. It also helps to build some friendships with local and other international students, so you feel more at home in the place itself.
Where can Indian students abroad get mental health support?
Start with your university’s counselling service and international student office. Save your local emergency number too. SelfMind is also available at any hour, by text or voice.