When Homesickness Stays After Emigrating

Homesickness after moving abroad is a normal reaction to the absence of familiar things: people, language, and things taken for granted that no one notices at home. The fact that the longing for the old life remains doesn’t in itself indicate whether the decision was right or wrong. Homesickness can subside over time and return in waves, for example during holidays, at family events, or in difficult phases in the new daily life; its course varies from person to person.

When Homesickness Deserves Attention

It warrants attention when the wave doesn’t subside: persistent low mood, withdrawal even from new social interactions, sleep problems, the feeling of just going through the motions, or when alcohol is meant to fill the gap. In such cases, a medical or psychotherapeutic assessment is also called for, and a conversation is worthwhile before the withdrawal becomes entrenched.

What Lies Behind Persistent Homesickness

Persistent homesickness is often the result of a combination of factors: the longing itself, the stress of the new daily life, and sometimes an older issue that has only grown louder abroad. Counseling in your own language is a place where you can sort things out and figure out what kind of help is right for you, especially when the familiar words are missing.