The Iglu Guide | Blog
How to stay in touch with family when studying overseas
As exciting as it is to be studying overseas, it’s very normal for international students to have the odd pang of homesickness here and there. You might be separated by an ocean or a time zone, and you might be facing cultural or language barriers. Some students will find the adjustment more difficult than others. Fortunately, the wonderful world of modern technology means that it’s now much easier to stay in touch with family and friends than it ever has been before. All you need is a little creativity and a little time, and you’ll start to feel like everyone is right there alongside you. If you’re thinking of studying overseas and are worried about staying in touch, here’s how.
Don’t be a stranger
Picking up the phone sounds pretty obvious, but with different time zones and study schedules in play, this can sometimes be surprisingly difficult. Studying in Australia has lifetime benefits for international students, but the time difference can play havoc with your arrangements – especially when you are new to the country. Get one step ahead right at the start by noting down the best times to chat, and set up a fixed appointment to check in with special people like close friends and family. While your life has transitioned into exciting student mode as you study overseas, your family are still waiting at home to hear your voice and learn about all your new experiences.
Videocall
Just one little upgrade to the standard phone call, video calls are the perfect way to share experiences with family and friends in real student life. You get to show off your new living environment, take them on a city tour, walk them through your university buildings and introduce new friends. It’s a game changer for any international student that’s keen to benefit from the outstanding academic experience Australia offers. The happier and more settled you are as an individual, the quicker you will settle into your academic studies – and the better you will perform. Physically seeing your family by video enables you to do just that – even while studying overseas. And if your student accommodation has unlimited Wi-Fi available, you can chat away to your heart’s content. Make it a little more fun by using the Houseparty app or assume your favourite character emoji on Snapchat. Remember, these apps can drain your data so be sure to stay connected to unlimited wi-fi.
Send a postcard
Sounds kinda retro, but there’s something very special about getting something hand delivered to the mailbox. There’s an air of suspense and it feels incredibly special that someone has taken the time to purchase a postcard, find a stamp and write a personalised message. In a world of immediacy and convenience, this is one anachronism that can stay forever. Postcards or letters are an ideal way to commemorate a particular moment or place in time, and it’s a reminder to pick up the phone and chat about it afterwards. Your family will really appreciate you taking the time to think about them. Remember, as much as you miss home, they are definitely missing you more!
Update your social media
It’s not often you get encouraged to go onto social media as much as possible, but studying in Australia as an international student is the perfect excuse to get busy. It’s a low-touch way to keep friends and family updated with your movements and experiences, and it leaves you with a visual diary of your time studying in Australia. Think Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Tik Tok – there’s so many ways to say whatever you like, make comedy videos or dance out your experiences. A simple picture can say a thousand words, and your friends and family will be grateful to be part of your new adventures.
Send a DM
Sometimes, it’s simply enough to send a direct message, whether that’s through SMS or social media apps. As a busy student, you won’t always have time for long chats and the time differences can make this awkward. Use DMs to lowkey keep in touch, while you save up your big chats for the weekends. WhatsApp is the perfect way to text around the world without receiving any international charges. You can also create family groups and use it for phone and video calls as well. Popular with younger students, it’s compatible to any phone.
Write a blog
If you keep meeting challenges when it comes to keeping in contact, writing a blog is a great way to share your experiences. It might sound a slightly daunting exercise, but it really isn’t – and a small amount of effort goes a really long way when it comes to staying connected. Blogging is an especially rewarding way of sharing a window into your world, and it’s a way of preserving memories that otherwise might get long forgotten. It’s also a way to remind yourself of the journey you have taken since you first arrived to study as an international student in Australia.
Choose your connections
If you have limited amounts of time, it’s important to invest them in the right people. Even the closest of relationships can struggle with a long-distance relationship, but with a little perseverance on both sides, you can make it work. Focus on those who are most meaningful to you, as it will be a considerable challenge and drain on your time for no good reason. Don’t get distracted by fair-weather friends who may not hang around long enough to be appreciate it.
Make a visit
Staying in touch will always take second place to your physical presence. Studying overseas is a huge step both for you as a student, and your family and friends left behind. Make sure you factor in some time to go and visit loved ones back home. Alternatively, you can plan to have some visitors in Australia. Homesickness usually kicks in when life isn’t going so smoothly away from home, and that’s usually a result of anxiety and stress as you settle in or around exam times. Having a trip home in the diary really gives you something to look forward to and treasure – so that you can fill up your emotional cup for another stint of student life overseas.
Top tip
If you find yourself really struggling, make sure you talk to your Resident Leader or university counsellor who can help you with some management strategies. Remember, there’s always someone on hand to help and you’re never alone.
