TALK. 13 Ways to Prevent Homesickness & Love Your New Home

Thursday, 10 November 2016

Culture shock is a result of stress produced when we leave our home culture environment to enter another. It is a psychological phenomenon and the 'symptoms' and 'prognosis' varies with each individual. By recognising early warning signs, and through effective communication, culture shock is something that can be overcome. Of course, your Programme Manager will also be available to support you identify any issues, and offer tips and advice for overcoming culture shock.

The phases of culture shock are:

Signs and symptoms:

Many people are unaware they are experiencing culture shock. Symptoms may include feelings of sadness; loneliness; physical aches and pains; insomnia or the desire to sleep a lot; depression; feeling vulnerable; anger; resentment; an unwillingness to interact outside of the home; idealisation of their old country/ residence; loss of identity; frantically attempting to merge into the new culture; lack of confidence; feeling inadequate; longing for family and friends, and feelings of being lost.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." 
― Augustine of Hippo

Coping Strategies:

Talk to people about how you are feeling.

Get in touch with your Programme Manager, to communicate and let them know how you are feeling. Remember, what you tell them is confidential. We have experience with homesickness and understand what it feels like. We can support you by giving you contacts of au pairs who are experiencing the same thing or have previously been through exactly what you are now. Talk to your friends and host family as well, as they are likely to have travelled and understand what it is like to be away from home; they will try and help you in every way they can.

Make friends with people from your home country and other au pairs

It is good to surround yourself with people that understand you. Everyone has times when they miss their family if they are living overseas. It is okay to surround yourself with comforts from your home country.

Join in with Au Pair Link activites

Call your Programme Manager, visit our Facebook page and be sure to attend our local weekly playgroups and monthly activities. Here, you'll be able to build a support network and talk to others about how you are feeling.

Be a tourist 

Get to know your new city; explore the most popular sites and attractions; make it a holiday in your own town. Get to know New Zealand's culture and history; try the local food; find local places you love; call them all your own.

Get physical, exercise, continue your hobbies and re-create your home routine 

Whether you're into horse riding, reading, writing poetry, running four times a week, soccer or going to church; your hobbies, routines and rituals make you happy and help to regulate your body and mind. Hobbies are great for socialising, but also for that much needed time to yourself. Keeping up your routine here in New Zealand will ensure your body and mind is getting what it needs to feel normal again... so, if you went to the gym four times a week at home go to the gym four times a week here!

Be a positive thinker 

Homesickness, like most anxiety, and can make you think in a negative way. Learn to think positively. Having a travel journal is a great way to reflect on your thoughts and feelings during your time as an au pair. Write only positive thoughts, and look for ways to spin the negative thoughts. For example, you should write "I am going to find new ways to make sure I feel like I fit in", rather than "I don't know if I'll ever fit in". Negative thoughts can become overwhelming and can consume your mind and time, and won't reflect well on this once in a lifetime adventure. Why not try carrying around a little notebook to write down one nice thing every day that has made you smile.

Small steps 

Take each day and moment as it comes. You have moved countries, started a new job and may even be speaking a different language. Everything is new, it takes time to learn new things and settle in. Don't put too much pressure on yourself... you're probably doing better much better than you think you are.

Volunteer in your free time 

As long as you are not working 45 hours or more a week. Volunteering is a great way to make you feel good about yourself; being part of a group can you give you added purpose. Collect money for charity; help disabled children or the elderly; work in a second-hand shop; there's heaps you could do. For more information visit www.volunteering.org.nz

Do a course 

You may have come to New Zealand to improve your English, so think how many people who will be doing the same thing. There are likely to be day and night classes in your community that you can join, to learn how to cook, write poetry or perfect your English. This is a great way to meet both local and international people in your community. Simply search for "Community courses" to find out more about what's in your area.

Share your experience 

Make everyone else jealous of your time here and involve them in your experience by sending presents home. Write letters to people you love to let them know how much you appreciate them and what they would love about New Zealand.

Make a bucket list 

Do your research about everything your local area and New Zealand as a whole has to offer. Once you start looking, you'll realise how much there is to do... and we know you're going to want to do it all. Challenge yourself, think big and be brave... bungy jumping. Eek!
Try something you've never done before, and start ticking everything off your list. Make sure you turn this once in a lifetime opportunity into the the adventure of a lifetime! Check out what you can get up to in NZ, www.newzealand.co.nz