Supporting Students Through Homesickness
Sometimes the smallest gestures—a warm drink, a kind word—offer the greatest comfort.
Helping your Guest Feel Settled, Safe, and Seen
No matter how excited a student is to begin their stay abroad, feeling homesick is a completely normal part of the experience—especially in the first few days. As a host family, your empathy, encouragement, and calm presence can make all the difference.
Most students are between 17 and 25 years old. For many of them, this might be the first time they are far from home, family routines, and familiar surroundings. Whether your student is from Germany, France, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the Nordic countries or Poland, the emotional adjustment can be a challenge at first.
Here is how you can gently support your student if they begin to feel homesick—without putting pressure on yourself or them.
1. Recognise the signs
Homesickness does not always appear in obvious ways. Some students might openly say they miss home. Others may seem withdrawn, tired, overly quiet, or suddenly uninterested in activities. Some may have a change in appetite or want to spend more time alone in their room.
The most important thing is not to panic or take it personally. Homesickness is not a reflection of your hospitality—it is simply part of adjusting to something new.
2. Offer reassurance, not solutions
Sometimes just saying, “It is completely normal to feel like this,” is enough. You do not need to solve the problem or cheer them up instantly. Let them know that many students feel this way at first and that it usually passes as they settle into their routine.
Try not to over-focus on it. Keep things steady and positive, and allow them space to feel whatever they are feeling.
3. Keep routines familiar and calm
Consistency helps. Continue inviting your student to meals, asking how their day was, and including them in small household routines. Even if they seem quiet or distant, the normal rhythm of home life creates a comforting environment.
Familiar routines—like sharing dinner, making tea, or chatting about the day—can provide a sense of security during a time of emotional transition.
4. Gently encourage connection
While you should never pressure your student to socialise, gentle encouragement can help. You might suggest a walk, invite them to help with cooking, or show them a favourite local spot. These small moments can offer healthy distraction and help build trust and comfort.
5. Support their contact with home
It is perfectly natural for students to want to stay in touch with family and friends during their stay. Encourage them to call home if they want to. At the same time, you can reassure them that it is okay to build new experiences while holding on to their connections from home.
Over time, students usually begin to focus more on the present once they feel safe and settled.
6. Give them time and space
Do not be discouraged if your student spends extra time in their room during the first few days. This is often their way of recharging and adjusting. Let them know you are nearby and happy to chat, but allow them the quiet they may need.
7. Reach out if you are concerned
If your student seems extremely upset, withdrawn, or does not appear to be settling after the first week, you are never expected to handle it alone. Please get in touch with us. We are here to offer advice, check in with the student, and provide extra support when needed.
Feeling homesick is not a failure—it is part of the process. With a warm welcome, a steady routine, and a little space to adjust, most students come through it quickly and go on to enjoy their time fully. Your kindness and patience are often the very things that help them turn the corner.
If you are curious about hosting, check out our other blog posts or sign up to become a host family. We would love to hear from you!
