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If you live thousands and thousands of miles away from home, there are days when you feel off because you miss your loved ones. This feeling is extremely normal, especially when this is your first time alone in a new country. The first thing I recommend is to connect with your family and friends through a video call. It might not feel the same as meeting them in person, but hearing their voices or seeing their faces would give you a sense of calmness. Even if you can’t call them every minute of the day or every single day, know that they are there for you. So, do reach out to them if you feel like it. If you are pursuing your degree in the United Kingdom, where it gets gloomy every day, especially in the winter, you can search Indonesian restaurants nearby; maybe some soto or rendang can cheer you up! If you think the price is high, you can always go to the supermarket and grab some Indomie! If you are into movies, you can stream some Indonesian films and series on Netflix while eating your favourite Indonesian snacks.
Studying abroad allows us to meet new people from different countries,
but I understand that sometimes it is hard to connect with friends who don’t share the same cultures and backgrounds. However, if you believe you need to meet other Indonesian friends, you can contact the PPI. The organization is formed for a reason. They are meant to help Indonesian students who are studying abroad and connect them. Another alternative would be joining Locals! This platform is uncommon in Indonesia, but many people use it in the UK and Europe to do fun activities with new people. This app helped me build new friendships with genuine individuals when finding friends at my university was difficult.
If those suggestions don’t work, you may need to reset your mindset and start believing you are here for a reason. Sure, things may be tough, and there are days when you just want to go home. But time moves so quickly. Once your classes are over, you can always choose not to work here and go back.