By Samantha Pearson
Wingate Triangle contributing writer
As Wingate University welcomes students for the new academic year, international students are facing a particularly challenging transition being so far away from home.
The excitement of studying abroad can be overwhelming and many are finding that homesickness is a significant obstacle in their journey.
Aside from adapting to a new educational system and navigating cultural differences, they also struggle with the emotional strain of being far from their families and familiar surroundings.
“Not being able to talk to my family and friends when our schedules don’t match up has been the main reason for my homesickness,” said Matthew Wordon, a sophomore from South Africa majoring in Business who’s on the Wingate men’s golf team. “I experience it on average once every two or three weeks.”
Maria-Sophie Muller, a freshman Wingate field hockey player from Germany majoring in International Business, has experienced the same feelings. “I experience homesickness once in a week because I miss friends, family and a familiar routine,” she said.
Simon Dubrovnik, a Wingate triathlete and Marketing major from Slovakia: “I miss my family friends from back home.”
The international students interviewed for this story said it’s tough to deal with all these new experiences while feeling so isolated, but they add that more times than not it does get better as you gain familiarity and feel part of a community.
A high percentage of international students experience homesickness with the primary reason being far from family and friends. According to Mark Leary, a Duke University professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the school’s Social Psychology Program, the purpose of homesickness is “to deter us from leaving supportive groups and environments” that are vital for a happy life.
Charne Steyn, a sophomore field hockey player South Africa majoring in International Business, said the high degree of student involvement in athletics, clubs and extracurricular activities at WU have helped with her feelings of isolation.
“The community and student involvement on campus at Wingate has reduced my homesickness by a lot and being part of a team has given me a support system away from home,” Steyn said.
Wingate’s internationals find that homesickness overall is likely to be reduced as there are more people who can relate to you when experiencing the culture shock and struggles with being far from home, family and friends.
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