The Big H

Homesickness. They warn us all against it, but it's the one battle we cannot adequately prepare for until it is knocking at our door. I remember the pre-departure* meeting when they diagrammed the phases we would find ourselves going through during our experience, and it was more or less a rollercoaster... and as much as I would like to say that my experience has indeed been a bit of a rollercoaster, and give you tips on how to combat it... I can't. Let's see if you can get anything from this though...

Homesickness affects each of us in a different way. When I first started at NAU I was hit hard by how much I missed my friends and how little I knew of my surroundings. The first two or three weekends were the worst because with the weekend came time, and with too much time on my hands I would think about all things I could be doing at home, where not only did I have people to talk to all the time but also good food--adjusting to college cuisine and "cooking" for myself was a big challenge for me. I expected much of the same when I came to Iceland, and though there have been days when I wish for a better supermarket or my car, I don't really get homesick.

I think this is because of three reasons:

• I have been kept busy or purposefully keeping busy. When I first arrived there were a great deal of logistical problems I had to deal with that resulted from a string of mis-communications. Most people won't have the same trouble, and were I able to do it over I would have fixed the problem a lot sooner on than how it is going now, as the problem is still not fixed. Regardless, having to go to the various offices and meetings kept me out of my room and out of my mind--I didn't have time to miss home. On top of that I'm also here to take classes and explore my surroundings, so trips to the grocery store, bars, restaurants or tourist traps factored into keeping busy as well. Also, I must say it's important to remember the little stuff like maintaining the cleanliness of your room or doing laundry; it is a good way to keep moving. There were a couple times that even taking a shower helped because it was alone time and refreshing. And most importantly: it's something to do! 
• I found people to talk to. Both years in my dorm at NAU I had very little interaction with my neighbors, and they all spoke English! Living in an international dorm here, I didn't expect to be able to interact so openly with my peers as I have found to be the case--because we have no choice but to share the common areas, we are almost guaranteed to interact and from there friendships are formed. There is some language barrier, but with a little patience and a good sense of humor it is easily overcome. There have just been several instances when mindless chit-chatting with someone in the kitchen has saved my sanity after an intense study session or after receiving bad news... and don't get me started on our "Bitch Clubs," which is just when several of us end up in the kitchen or hallway at once and complain about the various injustices we have faced that day.
• I have (so far) been open to new experiences! There are some times when complaining is unavoidable (and often therapeutic), but I have found that when you choose to live somewhere new for any reason, it's best not to whine. Whining makes everything ten times more difficult. Not having access to a car, much less MY car, has been a big point of contention with me especially when it comes to grocery shopping, but when you focus on what you don't have you forget all the things you do have. Being open to having to walk a bit further to classes, go to multiple places for groceries or unusual entertainment makes the experience much more enjoyable for all those involved. Getting lost or choosing the path less traveled though it may be longer opens all kinds of doors for you!

So maybe there is a way to prepare yourself for homesickness! In any case, my best advice is to just push through it. It's a phase and to liken it to one of my favorite analogies of all time: homesickness is the rain-wall of your mesocyclone, and once you push through it you'll be able to see and enjoy the tornado you've been chasing. Enjoy!

*Holy crap, it feels weird to say that I "remember" the pre-departure stage. I even remember standing at the bus stop after getting my application on the phone with my parents, who had no idea I was thinking about doing this, much less had begun the process for it! Sometimes it's just good to reflect on how far you've come... and now it's seven weeks into the semester and I have ten more to go! Holy expletive.