Homesickness is rough— especially when you are thousands of miles away from home. Everyone always talks about the glamour of studying abroad, but no one ever seems to mention the times they miss home. Here are some tips that have helped me when all I’ve wanted to do is curl up in my bed at home with my dog.

1. Eat some American food. Whether it’s the Starbucks you used to get before class or the McDonald’s after a long night, eating or drinking something familiar can bring you some comfort. McDonald’s has a delivery service here which has definitely come in handy!
2. Listen to music. I associate many songs to certain memories. Simply remembering good times with my friends and family can make me feel better. I made a few playlists to listen to when I miss home.
3. Look at old pictures. The first thing I did when I got on the plane to come here was make an album of pictures of my dog. Whenever I feel low, I look at all of the goofy pictures of my dog and laugh.
4. Go see a movie. When you are sitting in a dark theater with popcorn and a Coke, you could literally be anywhere. The other day, I saw an American movie with some friends and it felt like I was back in Oxford. Sometimes a little distraction is all you need.
5. Facetime people back home. If you haven’t talked to your friends or family in a while, seeing a familiar face can make you seem not so far away.

Remember, even though everyone talks about how great studying abroad is (and it is!), it is totally normal to get homesick from time to time. Acknowledging this feeling doing something that makes you happy is the best way to get over it. I hope this helps!