I am a young, first time traveller. For some reason, I have
decided to 'jump in with both feet' and I have decided to go
to Australia and NZ by myself for one to two years. I am
terrified of being homesick for my family and what to do
about it. I have never been away from home for more than
three months. I am anticipating meeting others because I am
relatively outgoing, but I am afraid that I may decide in a
moment of panic and sadness, to pack it in and go home. I am
experiencing already, slight anxiety attacks due to "the
great unknown"! Can you share some inspiration and ideas
about what to do in moments or days of intense homesickness?
Thank you and please....wish me luck!
[There are 13 posts - the latest was added on Tue 30 March, 11:48]
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Keep in contact. That's the only thing that you can do when
you are traveling. On holiday you are always so busy seeing
new things, meeting new people. I have only been a little
home sick on my birthday, Christmas and other special
holidays. You'll have a great time and when you get home
you will appreciate your family even more.
Stephie
I know what you are going through but go for it! I lived in Singapore and then traveled around Asia for 1 1/2 years. It was a great experience and I met so many people. Some suggestions are: bring some things from home. I know that space is limited but don't forget to bring some pictures from home and I always found it helpful to put this out and it somehow made me feel more settled even if I was only somewhere for a few days. It is a great experience and I have also travelled around Oz and there are alot of single women travellers and I know that you will meet lots. Have a great time. Good luck
Stephie -
You'll love it because "down under" is what matters. I
left the US for a 6 month work assignment in NZ. And 4.5
years later, I'm still here and now, a dual citizen.
You will remember what you have and appreciate the
experiences of home and abroad. Please email me if you
have more questions.
Hi Stephie, it is pretty exciting and also pretty scary
heading off into the great unknown! But don't worry you will
definitely be alot better off for the experience - you only
have to read around the TT to realise how much you will gain
and grow from the people you meet, the things you see and
the challenges and triumphs you experience.
I am currently 16 months through my big overseas trip and
yes some days I get homesick as do all my friends. But just
remember that you will never be that free again, young,
single and exploring the world, doing whatever you like,
when you like and how you like and once you go home it is
difficult to capture that freedom again.
I am about to head off travelling for 2 months through the
US and Canada after working and living in London for the
last 8 months. Secretly I am fantasising about going home
but I know that it is only shortlived and only because I am
sick of my life here and ready for the next challenge and
once I hit the road again I those feelings will pass -
besides I have so much more to see!
All the advice you have got so far is great, do keep in
touch with your folks back home, take some photos with you
but most importantly have the time of your life.
Have fun, Beck
At 18 I took off and traveled for 6 months in Europe. I
learned a lot and have been traveling ever
since. I didn't live or stay anywhere longer than three
weeks while traveling that time. This is just my
experience,
but I really messed up by expecting things to just work
themselves out. I felt a bit too free after living a
really structured life. I was so against any structure that
I didn't even buy any guide books! That was
dumb on my part, I admit. Looking back I wish that I would
have at least made a rough itinerary and
researched about all the places I might possibly have
visited and I wish that I would have taken more
photos to remember my trip by and help me deal with reverse
culture shock when I got back to the
states!
Calling home is good, but being in with groups of people
aling the way was helpful, and I didn't get all depressed
and lonely feeling that way. Once again, I don't recommend
this for everyone, but it's what I experienced....
Stephie, I think the fact that you're willing to "jump in
with both feet" says something right there about your
character. You must be an independent, smart, strong woman
to motivate to tackle such a trip!! And that alone
outweighs any trepidation you naturally have. I think
you'd be abnormal if you DIDN'T have these very natural
fears. But remember your motivations for doing this, and
the inspiring thoughts of the posters above, and you should
have nothing but the normal, infrequent pangs here and
there, which will be overshadowed by all the fun you're
having!!
Nivole
Speaking as someone recently returned home from a lightning
bright trip in Australia, I think that once you get abroad
and your senses are assailed with so much new stimuli, your
boughts of homesickness will be few and far between...they
will be there, of course, but just keep in mind that in
order to experience a new place thoroughly, you have to be
completely present. Dive into it; your family and home will
be waiting....
Bring pics from home. Write lots- send letters and have your friends and family pass it around to all. Send lots of postcards. Let them know where they can contact you via "poste restants" and get them to write lots. Try getting an email addy you can access anywhere.
I also talked to my best friend in my head (no, I'm not a looney). It was kinda like writing her a letter in my head, but one that never got sent. Made me feel like she was there too.
Most importatn question to ask yourself - "Will I regret it
if I don't go?"
.
"If we wait until our hands stop shaking, we will never open
the door."
.
"We may not cease being fearful, but we can cease to let
fear control us."
.
I think you know where I stand on this issue...
that you shouldn't be afraid to change your plans if your
enjoying it stay for the full 2 years if not go home. it
doesn't mean you have failed in anyway each person is
different and if you decide you've had enough then don't
torture yourself by feeling you have to stay on likewise if
you like it too much you can always stay for longer. good
luck!
As a teenage soon-to-be-traveller I've got the same
worries, but from what my older and bleedin'-lucky
friends say, the best thing to do is simply call home often!
The rates aren't too expensive, and it'll keep you in touch.
Also, if you're having fun you won't get as homesick, and as
a Kiwi girl currently in Oz I can tell you for sure
that you're going to the right places!
"Yes!" to the above posts (write letters, phone when you
can, dive in, etc.). Of course you will miss your family,
but you will also most likely meet people on your trip who
will become very important to you (and you'll miss them
like hell when you move on, too). That's part of
travelling, etc. I went on my own to Australia/NZ when I
was 18, and many years later I still think it's one of the
best things I ever did (and I still have good friends from
that time).
If you have the opportunity to go to Australia, go for
it! You may never have this chance again. I've never been
lucky enough to go beyond the US, but traveled extensively
within while working as a photographer. I was often homesick
but it helped to have photos of family/friends and
writing/calling often. The holidays were the worst for me,
but if you will be located in mostly one area, then you will
probably have new friends to spend the holidays with. I
envy your experiences to come! Good luck and have a great
adventure!