From Homesick to Heart-Full: 5 Real Tips to Beat the Blues While Teaching Abroad
Because missing Marshalls, Chick-fil-A, and your mama’s hugs is totally normal.
Let’s be honest: Teaching abroad is amazing. There are palm trees, passport stamps, and students who ask real questions during class (imagine that!). But somewhere between grading papers under a ceiling fan and trying to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, it hits you…
You’re homesick.
Suddenly you’re daydreaming about Sunday dinners, familiar grocery store aisles, and that one coworker who always had gum and a good gossip.
It’s okay. It happens. Even when you’re living your best life abroad, homesickness can sneak up on you like an unexpected school assembly. But don’t worry—I’ve been there (from Abu Dhabi to Belo Horizonte), and I’ve got your back.
Here are 5 real, practical, and slightly humorous tips to help you shake the homesick blues and feel rooted right where you are.
1. Create a “Little Piece of Home” in Your New Space
Nothing cures homesickness like walking into your apartment and feeling… you. That doesn’t mean packing your grandma’s entire living room, but bringing a few comforts can go a long way.
🪴 Pro Tip:
Add cozy touches like your favorite candle, some photos, or even that one mug that makes you feel like everything’s going to be alright. I even brought Old Bay seasoning with me to Abu Dhabi. Priorities.
Bonus: If you’re feeling fancy, create a “homesick kit” with things that comfort you on hard days—snacks, playlists, journals, or reruns of that one Netflix show you know every line to.
2. Stay Connected—But Not Too Connected
Yes, FaceTime your mama. Call your best friend. Share those hilarious “What is this food?” stories on your group chat.
But don’t fall into the trap of staying so glued to home that you miss what’s happening around you. The more you build community where you are, the less lonely you’ll feel.
💡 Try this:
Schedule regular calls and digital detox days.
Send voice notes (they’re like hugs for the ears).
Start a blog or IG to share your journey—it keeps folks updated and helps you reflect.
3. Find Your People (aka Your Expat Teacher Tribe)
Homesickness often feels heavier when you try to carry it alone. The good news? There are people just like you in your new city—other educators, travelers, and adventurous souls who also miss drive-thru sweet tea.
Join meet-ups, expat Facebook groups, or even a salsa class (I found my people in Brazil by dancing very badly but enthusiastically).
You’d be amazed how quickly brunch with fellow expat teachers can lift your spirits. Misery may love company, but so does laughter, wine, and a little shared confusion at the grocery store.
4. Say Yes to New Experiences (Even if You’re Nervous)
Homesickness often creeps in when you're idle or isolated. So say “yes” more—yes to that weekend trip, yes to the awkward invite, yes to trying the weird fruit at the market.
Every “yes” opens the door to a new memory. And the more memories you make where you are, the more this place starts to feel like home too.
🌍 Remember: You didn’t come all this way to stay in your apartment scrolling Instagram.
5. Give Yourself Grace (And Time)
Seriously, homesickness is not a weakness—it’s a sign that you loved where you came from. And that’s a beautiful thing.
But this new chapter? It’s worth the tears, the stretch, the “why did I do this” moments. It’s how you grow.
🧘🏾♀️ Some days will be tough. Other days, you’ll sip a coconut by the beach and wonder why you ever doubted yourself.
So breathe. Cry if you need to. Laugh at yourself a lot. And remember—you’re not alone.
Final Thought: You’re Not Just Surviving. You’re Building Something Beautiful.
Teaching abroad is bold. It’s brave. And yes—it’s bananas sometimes. But it’s also one of the most life-expanding decisions you’ll ever make.
Homesickness might visit, but it doesn’t get to unpack. The real magic begins when you let the world become your home.
✈️ Ready to take the leap and teach abroad (with a support system and zero guesswork)?
Join the EduXit waitlist today and get ready to make your dream teaching life a global reality—minus the overwhelm.
👉 Click here to join the waitlist
With hugs across borders and love from Brazil,
Kimberly 💛