Staying In Touch

One of the main commonalities between me and all my study abroad friends is that we all miss our family and friends from back home. It is hard to keep in touch with loved ones for several reasons: time zones, busy schedules, and lack of technology. As months go by, I miss them more and more, but it is almost impossible to make time to call or facetime them. Why is that? How can I put more of an effort to keep in touch? These are the questions I am currently grappling with to this day.

Luckily, social media makes staying in touch easy and simple. I can push one button and contact my mother halfway around the world—perfect internet connection and all. I personally like to designate a time to chat with my family and friends. It’s always important to designate a time beforehand, so we can carry a conversation for more than mere seconds or minutes. Any type of talking is okay, however. No matter how short the conversation, I always feel better afterward. Speaking with people from home comforts me. It allows me to have a taste of home in a new environment.

If anyone is struggling to keep in touch with friends and family while abroad, I suggest taking it one day at a time and expressing your desire to communicate with them. Often times, they will not understand the feeling of alienation that study abroad students feel. After all, they are busy with their own lives. Nonetheless, small moments of vulnerability and honesty will push them to talk with you.

I expect to learn better techniques to keep in touch as the semester continues. I will keep pushing myself to share my experiences with those I care about back at home.