From Homesick to Settling In: My First Month Away from Home
Written by: Tuleen Tayeh, 5th Year Health Science Specialization and Psychology Major
Photo by: Keenan Constance on Unsplash
When I moved to Canada in 2021, I was 17 years old and completely unprepared for how emotional the experience would be.
Back home, life felt stable. My family was always around, my routines were familiar, and I never really had to think twice about where I belonged. Then suddenly, I was moving across the world to start a completely new chapter of my life.
At first, the move felt exciting because it meant new opportunities, new experiences, and a chance to grow. But once the adrenaline of moving faded, reality started to hit me.
I remember sitting alone during my first few weeks and realizing that everything around me felt unfamiliar. The weather was different, the environment was different, and even everyday tasks suddenly felt overwhelming. Something as simple as finding my way around campus or figuring out public transportation became stressful because I was doing it all on my own for the first time.
Homesickness Looked Different Than I Expected
Before moving, I thought homesickness would only happen during big moments, like birthdays or holidays. Instead, it showed up in the smallest parts of my day.
I missed hearing my family in the background while I studied. I missed eating food that reminded me of home. I missed the comfort of being around people who understood my background, my humour, and the way I spoke. Even the quiet felt lonely sometimes.
One of the hardest things about moving away at 17 was realizing how quickly you had to grow up. There is no real adjustment period. You are suddenly responsible for yourself while also trying to adapt to a completely new environment.
At times, it felt isolating. Everyone around me seemed like they already knew what they were doing, while I was still trying to figure out where I fit in.
What Actually Helped Me Adjust
Looking back now, I think one of the biggest mistakes I made at first was trying to handle everything alone.
Things started getting better once I began reaching out to people instead of isolating myself. Even small conversations helped. Whether it was talking to classmates, calling family more often, or simply spending less time alone in my room, those little moments made a huge difference.
I also started using student resources that were designed specifically to help students through transitions like this. I found programs like Western Launch helpful because they focus on helping students build community and feel more connected on campus.
When I was struggling emotionally, I also learned how important it was to know where to find support. Resources like Western Health & Wellness Services offer mental health support, counselling, and wellness resources for students adjusting to university life. For students who are finding the academic transition challenging, Academic Supports provides resources and workshops focused on study skills, time management, learning strategies, and academic success.
Another thing that helped was creating routines for myself. Calling home at the same time every week, exploring new places around campus, and finding small comforts in my daily schedule slowly made Canada feel less unfamiliar.
Finding Community in a New Place
One thing I underestimated before moving was how important community would become.
When you move away from home, especially to another country, it is easy to isolate yourself when things feel overwhelming. But some of the moments that helped me settle in the most came from meeting people who understood what the transition felt like.
Whether it was talking to classmates, attending campus events, or joining student spaces, every interaction made the transition feel a little easier. Western has a lot of opportunities for students to connect with each other, including campus clubs, student-led organizations, and resources through Western International and Student Experience at Western.
Even if it feels uncomfortable at first, putting yourself out there genuinely helps more than you realize.
Advice for Students Moving Away from Home
If I could give advice to other students moving away from home for the first time, especially international students, it would honestly be this:
Give yourself permission to struggle a little.
There is so much pressure to adjust quickly and act like everything is fine, but moving countries at a young age is a huge life change. Missing home does not mean you are weak, and feeling overwhelmed does not mean you made the wrong decision.
It takes time to settle in.
I also think it is important to remind yourself that you do not need to experience university completely on your own. There are so many resources available for students who are struggling academically, socially, or emotionally. Programs like Learn2Thrive focus on helping students build confidence and resilience, especially during stressful periods of adjustment.
For students who are finding the transition especially difficult, resources like Good2Talk are also available for post-secondary students in Ontario who need confidential mental health support.
Finding a New Version of Home
Looking back now, that first month in Canada taught me more about myself than I realized at the time.
It forced me to become independent, adaptable, and more confident in myself. It also taught me that settling into a new place is not something that happens overnight. It happens slowly through routines, friendships, uncomfortable moments, and experiences that eventually start feeling familiar.
I still miss home sometimes, and I think part of me always will. But somewhere between feeling homesick and learning how to settle in, I realized that home is not always one specific place.
Sometimes, home becomes the life you slowly build for yourself.
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