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Q: How to overcome the homesick?
My company offered me a position in its China office. I am still trying to figure out what I should do here. My colleagues are friendly and polite but I feel they are keeping distance from me and compare me with another foreigner who worked here before. I had nice Chinese food with Chinese suppliers, and they are also nice to me. I travel a lot for business. I just feel something missing. I miss the food in my country, my family, my friends...I feel like my world is shrinking even smaller than before. I think I am homesick. Do you have any experience to share with me and help me to get through this difficult period of time? THX
If you are in a city with other expats, there are bound to be some expat bars to hang out in. I was never a real "bar" person in the US, but in China it was the one place I could go and have a conversation with other native English speakers. That helped my homesickness a lot.
Other tricks are to keep yourself busy. Find a hobby, get our and explore. Join a club, etc... The more friends you make, the easier your time will be.
And if you can get friends and family from home to send you food care packages, that will help as well.
But the main thing is not to lock yourself away. Get out, explore, get lost, have fun mime-ing conversations with locals, eat everything and just be brave. The stories you will have to tell at the end of your trip will make it all worthwhile.
I find it easy to overcome the homesick. They are usually drunk and sad, and don't put up much of a fight.
Find an attachment to China, make friends get a Chinese girl friend or two. When I came to China it was the only time I travelled that I never got homesick. I stayed up all night on my last nights in China, didn't want to waste my time sleeping.
Sit in the sun more often while reading a good book. For me the sun is a cure all. Bring some coffee or a beer or even some wine. Get into Chinese (the language, that is....) Here's a good website for learning some basics http://cctv.cntv.cn/lm/learningchinese/program/index.shtml
Watch some of your favorite shows from back home during the times that you start thinking too much and then find a new restaurant/bar/entertainment venue as soon as you stop feeling so anxious. Every day try to do/eat/learn something new. You'll feel that much more accomplished.
Don't worry, just try not to think too much. That's always been my problem but quieting those obnoxious thoughts really does work wonders. Cheers man!
Sit in the sun more often while reading a good book. For me the sun is a cure all. Bring some coffee or a beer or even some wine. Get into Chinese (the language, that is....) Here's a good website for learning some basics http://cctv.cntv.cn/lm/learningchinese/program/index.shtml
Watch some of your favorite shows from back home during the times that you start thinking too much and then find a new restaurant/bar/entertainment venue as soon as you stop feeling so anxious. Every day try to do/eat/learn something new. You'll feel that much more accomplished.
Don't worry, just try not to think too much. That's always been my problem but quieting those obnoxious thoughts really does work wonders. Cheers man!
Go to the movie theaters and then go to your favorite restaurant. I like going to Pizza Hut! You can also read a good book!
