Homesick When You Travel? You’re Not Alone

Travelling is an eye-opening, life-changing experience. But it can also become challenging if you find yourself missing home – especially if it’s your first time away from home. Here are a few tips on how to overcome being homesick on a gap year or whilst travelling. 

Outward Bound Costa Rica are a tour company with a strictly no technology policy whilst on their tours so you can engage with your experience to the max. That may sound a little intimidating, however this tour company want to your travels to be as fulfilling as possible, so they’ve gathered recommendations on how to deal with homesickness that work for everyone, no matter how old you are.

Understand that homesickness is normal

Being homesick is uncomfortable, but in the end, pretty normal. You might be away from home for the first time, or for longer than you usually are, especially if you’re taking a Gap Year.

It’s important to realize that you are not alone, and that, while you might not be able to always contact your family, contact with home and friends will actually increase your homesickness.  Focus on your new environment, accept invitations to get out and get involved with new people. Make a new home for yourself. Don’t let homesickness weigh you down and remember this is a common issue for people who travel, even globe trotters!

Write it out!

You might be feeling homesick in part because you cannot share this new and incredible adventure with your family members or friends back home. Take a journal with you and collect little objects and brochures that you can use back home to share what your adventure was like with them – after all, they supported you in going on what is a life-changing summer or an incredible Gap Year. Writing about every little detail of your time abroad is a great way to keep yourself busy and make sure you don’t miss a hilarious anecdote to share with everyone!

Immerse yourself

While feeling homesick probably makes you feel like you want to withdraw, throwing yourself in this new environment is the best thing you can do to overcome this feeling. Try local food, talk with people you haven’t met before and take loads of pictures! The more pro-active you are about making the most out of your trip, the less energy you’ll spend about thinking  how much you have left behind.

Stay active

Exercise is a great tool to deal with homesickness, just like staying generally active while traveling. If you chose activities like surfing, hiking, or scuba diving, you’ll also be getting out and discovering new places you’d never have seen otherwise.

You’ll feel better physically if you keep up with an exercise routine and it will allow you to keep a clear mind – that’s one of the reasons our programs focus on outdoor training.

Think positive

Being homesick can make it hard to see the positive things that travelling is bringing you. Find at least three positive events that have happened in your day every night before you go to bed. This will allow you to remain positive about your decision to travel and reinforce your decision of embarking on this adventure. Our students get to chose their ‘punto alto’ of the day every night at their circle meeting to keep a good mindset of gratitude and determination.

Check out why students decide to travel with Outward Bound Costa Rica and what last summer was like for them! If you have any questions about our Summer Expeditions, Girl Scout Destinations or Gap Year & Semester Programs, check the Outward Bound Costa Rica website. 

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