Homesickness Coping Strategies for International Students While Pursuing MBBS in Tajikistan

What is more exciting than moving to a new country for further studies, but along with the excitement comes a bit of anxiety about leaving your home to build your career? These mixed feelings are very common among international students who are about to leave their home country. These feelings can impact the overall well-being of a person. However, with the right strategies, these challenges can be overcome.

Involving and Understanding the Homesickness Environment

Homesickness is a normal feeling in response to being away from home, family, and familiar surroundings. Response to this feeling comes as irritation, sadness, anxiety, loneliness and irritability. Culture shock refers to the psychological and emotional challenges experienced when adapting to a new culture.

The Different Stages of Homesickness

Understanding the stages of homesickness can help you manage the process more effectively. These stages typically include:

Happy phase: Feeling happy, excited, and enthusiastic about the new journey and environment.
Frustration phase: A fear of leaving the country and stepping into a new environment, loneliness.
Adjustment phase: Adjusting to the new environment and trying to cope with the new culture.
Acceptance phase: Feeling comfortable, confident and happy in the new environment.

Coping Strategies

Acknowledging what you feel is the first step towards accepting the fact that you are feeling homesickness. It’s important to understand the fact that you need to be kind to yourself. These emotions are very normal, and you can deal with them.
Be in touch with your family members. Connect with your friends, call them when you feel lonely. Try video calls or social media to feel connected. Sharing your experiences can provide emotional support and help you feel connected.
Try to make new friends at your university. Take part in activities in college or outside the college. Join clubs where you can connect with new people and socialize.
Get yourself involved in new things, explore new places, try new cuisine, and attend events. Try to avoid the feeling of isolation. Appreciate that you are at a new place and learning new things.
Be punctual and consistent doing these things that get into your daily routine. Consistency will give you a sense of stability. Set a little time for exercise and relaxation.
Prioritize your well being physically, mentally, and emotionally. Engage in activities that you truly enjoy, such as playing games, watching movies, or following your hobbies.

With these techniques, you will be able to cope in the new environment, if not, try this:

Don’t feel bad to seek help if you are struggling to cope. Ask for valuable support and guidance.
Be patient with yourself, give yourself time. It requires a lot of patience. Adjusting to a new environment takes time.

Additional Tips

Along with studying MBBS in Tajikistan, try learning the Tajiki language. Basic language skills will keep you engaged and help you improve your connections and experience.
You can try volunteering if you like to meet new people and serve them.
Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep is crucial for physical and mental health.
Budgeting and financial planning can alleviate stress and provide a sense of control.

Overcoming Cultural Differences

Be open minded and try new and unique things.
Show respect for the localities and their culture.
Use clear and respectful communication for better understanding.
Participate in cultural exchange programs to learn about the local way of life.

Just studying MBBS in Tajikistan will keep you occupied so that you won’t be investing much time in feeling sad or anxious but if you feel so, trying these strategies will help you overcome the challenges. Remember, it's a normal part of the adjustment process, and with time and effort, you will enjoy your new environment.