Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving from your home country to settle in the United Kingdom, whether to study, work, or join a loved one, sounds dreamy on paper. Between the promise of a better career, the possibility of sending money to family, access to excellent universities, and the cultural appeal of cities like London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or Cardiff, there’s no shortage of reasons to go. But behind this adventure often lies a quieter reality: homesickness.
Between 50% and 70% of students experience homesickness during their first months at university.
This article provides a concrete overview of the causes of homesickness in the UK and, more importantly, ways to get through it: understanding what you’re going through, acclimating to culture shock, building a social network, finding comfort in food and habits, using available resources, and not forgetting a crucial point: knowing how to distinguish normal blues from a depressive disorder requiring professional help.
Understanding Homesickness: A Normal Reaction, Not a Weakness
Homesickness is defined as emotional distress related to separation from a familiar environment: loved ones, language, smells, landscapes, habits, and way of life. It often manifests as a mix of sadness, anxiety, and a sense of loss. Researchers sometimes describe it as a form of “grieving” for one’s former life.
Newcomers face a combination of challenges: loss of their support network, new implicit social rules, adapting to the language or accent, disorienting weather, and complex administrative procedures. The period following holidays (Christmas, Easter, summer) is particularly sensitive due to the contrast between family reunions and returning to the solitude of one’s accommodation.
The data gathered on students is telling: about 70% report feeling homesick at some point during their first year. For many, symptoms subside after a few weeks, often after the third week. For international students or expatriates who have come to work, adaptation is longer: a clear improvement frequently occurs around the six-month mark of being in the UK.
It’s essential to keep in mind that it is not a sign of weakness, let alone a failure. Being homesick mainly means you were attached to your former life, your relationships, and your familiar routines. This emotional bond is rather proof of your ability to form deep relationships.
When Homesickness Blends with Culture Shock
Homesickness in the UK is often intertwined with what is called culture shock. It’s not just about superficial differences, but a genuine adaptation to new social norms.
Several stages are generally distinguished, often represented by a “W” shaped curve. First, the “honeymoon” phase: everything seems exciting, exotic, motivating. Then comes a phase of frustration or distress, where one bumps up against differences and a feeling of disconnect. Next comes a gradual adjustment, then a calmer acceptance. This process is not linear: you can move from one phase to another, go back, or be destabilized by family holidays or birthdays.
In the UK, certain cultural aspects, like the particular sense of humor, etiquette around queuing, or culinary habits, often surprise newcomers. These differences can fuel a temporary feeling of disconnect before gradual adaptation.
Politeness, Queuing, and Insinuations
British politeness is based on an avalanche of “please,” “thank you,” “sorry,” “excuse me”. Respecting the queue (the famous line) is almost sacred, and “cutting” is highly frowned upon. Conversations readily start with the weather, the ultimate neutral subject, and people avoid asking questions considered intrusive (salary, relationship status, weight, age).
Humor, often very present, is characterized by irony, self-deprecation, and insinuation. For a newcomer, it’s easy to feel lost or to misinterpret a joke. It’s also not uncommon to initially find interactions “cold,” when it’s actually about reserve or respect for personal space.
Climate, Pace of Life, and Language
The gray skies, rain, and short winter days are regularly cited as aggravating factors for homesickness. Fatigue from jet lag and the change of season sometimes intensifies emotions. In big cities like London, the pace is fast, people seem rushed, walk quickly, and talk little on public transport. Again, this can reinforce a feeling of isolation.
Even for French speakers with a good level of English, the British accent (or Scottish, Welsh, Mancunian…) and idiomatic expressions are a source of cognitive fatigue and frustration. For many internationals, this accumulation of physical, linguistic, and social changes creates fertile ground for homesickness.
Recognizing the Signs of Homesickness… and Those That Should Alert You
The manifestations of homesickness are multiple. Research often distinguishes three dimensions: emotional, physical, and behavioral.
On an emotional level, affected individuals describe sadness, loneliness, irritability, nervousness, low self-esteem, sometimes bouts of anger or panic. Thoughts are invaded by unfavorable comparisons: “It was better back home,” “I’ll never get used to this city.” One idealizes their former life, dwells on what they’ve lost.
The body concretely manifests the psychological distress linked to distance. These reactions are observed in various life change contexts.
Insomnia or hypersomnia, loss of appetite or compulsive snacking in response to stress.
Persistent fatigue, headaches, nausea, and digestive pains are common.
These symptoms affect students at the start of their studies, expatriate workers, refugees, and families in reunification.
On a behavioral level, one often notices withdrawal, avoidance of interactions, and disinterest in local activities. Some stop going to class, put off outings, spend their evenings scrolling through social media of friends back home or watching only content from their home country.
A depressive episode is characterized by a persistently low mood for at least two weeks, accompanied by other symptoms (general loss of interest, major sleep disorders, dark thoughts, psychomotor slowing or agitation, etc.) and significant impairment of daily life.
International research on depression
The “expat blues” or difficult adaptation generally remain temporary, linked to specific situations (moving in, paperwork, initial isolation) and give way to moments of pleasure and positive outlook. When, on the contrary, everything seems dull, nothing has any flavor, and one struggles to carry out basic tasks, it’s time to seek professional help.
Taking Control of Your Daily Life: Routines, Body, and Small Rituals
One of the most powerful levers against homesickness in the UK involves regaining control over what is immediately within reach: your schedule, your body, your living space.
Establishing a routine, even a simple one, gives structure to your days. Getting up at a fixed time, getting dressed (even for online classes or remote work), planning slots for work, meals, and outings reduces the feeling of drifting. Many newcomers report starting by setting very concrete goals: going for a run twice a week, exploring a new neighborhood each weekend, dedicating an hour a day to job searching or studying.
Physical exercise is a powerful antidote to rumination. In the UK, this strategy is all the more interesting because the offer is wide: parks for running or walking, university gyms, yoga or Pilates clubs, hiking groups, free weekly Parkruns. Studies on mental health also show that physical activity helps limit anxiety and depression, including in people who feel isolated.
Planning meals, making a shopping list, and cooking for yourself are key practices for better budget management and establishing new habits. Major UK retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Morrisons, Co‑op, Waitrose, Aldi, Lidl, Iceland…) offer a wide selection for balanced meals. Most also have a “world foods” aisle where you can find international products.
It is often forgotten that the simple act of personalizing your space (photos, blankets, small objects from your country, familiar scents with a candle or diffuser) has a direct impact on the feeling of inner security. For example, expatriates cite the importance of bringing their favorite brand of tea, a blanket, books in their language, some typical biscuits or spices.
To visualize how small habits can structure your days and support your morale, it can be useful to refer to a sample table:
| Time of Day | Possible Action | Effect on Homesickness |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Get up at a fixed time, have a proper breakfast, go outside for 10 min | Reduces the feeling of chaos, regulates the biological clock |
| Lunchtime | Have lunch away from the screen, ideally with other people | Introduces regular social contact |
| Afternoon | Study or work in a library, café, or coworking space | Avoids prolonged isolation in your room |
| End of the day | Physical activity (walk, sport, group class) | Reduces anxiety, improves sleep |
| Evening | Scheduled call with family or a friend, then local relaxing activity (TV series, reading, hobby) | Maintains connection while encouraging grounding in the host country |
The goal is not to have a micromanaged life, but to have stable enough reference points for your brain to begin associating your new life in the UK with feelings of security rather than constant insecurity.
Creating a Social Circle in the UK: A Necessity, Not a Luxury
All studies agree: social isolation is a major factor in distress. Research in biological psychiatry highlights that people with few social connections show more depression, anxiety, and various disorders. Other work even compares the impact of loneliness on health to that of smoking.
The British government itself takes the issue seriously: a “Minister for Loneliness” has been appointed and a national strategy on loneliness has been launched. A 2019 survey showed that 25% of young adults aged 18-27 reported having no close friends, and 22% said they had no friends at all. In this context, a newcomer who doesn’t know anyone yet is potentially doubly vulnerable.
Making a conscious effort to build a network is therefore much more than a comfortable social option: it’s a mental health measure.
Where to Meet People?
The UK has a multitude of places and systems to facilitate meetings, even if, on the surface, everyone seems rushed and absorbed in their daily lives. Cities are full of pubs, cafés, gyms, community centers, libraries, museums, clubs of all kinds.
Student associations and unions are at the heart of campus life. They organize a wide range of activities: parties, themed clubs, sports, debates, and outings. Many universities also offer international groups and events, such as Global Cafés or International Student Groups, fostering intercultural exchanges.
Other structures, sometimes atypical, contribute to social connection across the UK. The Men’s Sheds movement, for example, born in Australia and now established in places like the Men of Leith Men’s Shed in Edinburgh, offers men a friendly space to tinker, chat, play music (the group “The Splinters” is associated with it), and break the loneliness. The Warm Welcome Campaign lists over 5,000 friendly spaces that are free or low-cost, where anyone can come to sit, chat, and warm up. Two-thirds of the UK population lives within a 30-minute walk of one of these places.
Initiatives like Reading Friends book clubs, online knitting workshops (e.g., ‘Knit and Natter on Zoom’), arts programs, and peer-to-peer support groups run by associations like Mind have proven very effective in reducing isolation. They combine a shared activity and human exchange, two key elements to combat feelings of loneliness.
For a concise overview of the options available, one can imagine a simple map:
| Life Context | Concrete Leads for Meetings in the UK |
|---|---|
| Student | University clubs and societies, Global Café, Student Union events, campus sports classes, international groups |
| Young Professional | After-work events, evening classes, sports clubs, Meetup, professional associations, local volunteering |
| Parent | Parent and baby groups, library activities, neighborhood clubs, school associations |
| Retiree / Caregiver | Community centers, arts projects, community gardens (via Social Farms and Gardens), neighborhood groups |
| LGBTQIA+ Person | Groups like HappyHere, dedicated services and helplines, community events |
The idea isn’t to join everything, but to multiply opportunities to meet people with shared interests or similar journeys, while leaving room for meetings with British people who will help you grasp the local codes.
Saying “Yes” (Almost) to Everything the First Year
Many experienced expatriates suggest a simple rule for the first few months: don’t turn down an invitation without an excellent reason. An evening that, at the moment, seems unappealing might turn out to be the place for a decisive encounter. Even brief participation in an event gets you out of isolation.
Of course, this doesn’t mean accepting proposals that make you uncomfortable or put you in danger. But within the framework of reasonable invitations, a systematic “yes” for a certain period gives your network a chance to form. Conversely, regularly declining eventually makes invitations disappear.
Staying Connected with Family… Without Getting Stuck in Your Home Country
Technology today offers an impressive array of tools to stay in touch with loved ones: video calls, instant messaging, social media, platforms for watching a movie together at the same time. A survey shows that 72% of international students report being more satisfied when they communicate regularly with their family.
To stay in touch despite the distance, the most popular communication apps are WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Messenger, Telegram, and Signal. They are often complemented by photo-sharing tools like Google Photos or Instagram, and by services for watching series remotely in sync, such as Teleparty. These solutions make virtual closeness easier than ever.
But this permanent connection has a downside. Studies on expatriates indicate that too frequent contact, for example long daily calls, can sometimes intensify homesickness, by preventing one from grounding themselves in the new reality. The point isn’t to cut ties, but to find a balance.
To maintain a balance between ties with the home country and local integration, it’s advisable to schedule regular communication slots, like a long call on Sunday and a few voice messages during the week. Avoid systematically retreating into your phone during a moment of discomfort. This organization frees up time for local life and allows you to seize spontaneous social opportunities, like a drink, a sports activity, or an outing with new acquaintances.
Sending photos, little videos, snippets of daily life also helps your loved ones visualize your environment and reduces their own anxiety. Some create a family group on WhatsApp or a private little blog to give regular updates without having to repeat the same thing to everyone.
Food as a Subtle Remedy for Homesickness
For many newcomers to the UK, one of the first shocks concerns… grocery shopping. The habits, products, and packaging change. Yet, the British food landscape is now very internationalized, making it a valuable ally against homesickness.
Major retailers almost all have a “world foods” aisle where you can find Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American, Central European, etc. ingredients. In big cities, community grocery stores are plentiful: Indian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Polish, Japanese, African shops. They often offer a wider choice and more accessible prices than large chains for certain specific products.
Local markets and independent shops (butchers, bakers, greengrocers) offer alternatives to supermarkets. For people without a car or far from a supermarket, online delivery services make accessing groceries easier.
To better navigate this offering, it can be useful to structure your search for “tastes from home” in a mental table:
| Felt Need | Possible Resources in the UK |
|---|---|
| Recreate a typical dish | “World foods” aisles in major supermarkets, ethnic grocery stores, specialized restaurants |
| Buy hard-to-find spices or sauces | Community grocery stores, online sales sites, markets |
| Make a recipe from home exactly | Combine offerings from supermarkets and targeted grocery stores, adapt with local ingredients if needed |
| Discover a comforting local variant | Try British specialties (fish & chips, Sunday roast, afternoon tea) and adapt them to your tastes |
Preparing a childhood dish at home, finding a familiar brand of biscuits on a shelf, sharing a specialty from your country with British friends are concrete ways to reduce the felt distance. These micro-sensory comforts (taste, smell, texture) speak directly to memory and help build bridges between past and present.
Exploring Local Culture to Broaden Horizons… and Reduce Stress
Research on cultural exploration shows positive effects on well-being: broadening of perspective, increased empathy, reduced stress, strengthened resilience, sense of meaning. Applied to homesickness in the UK, this means that opening up to local culture doesn’t mean you’re “betraying” your home country, but rather enriching your identity.
In the UK, major institutions like the British Museum, Tate, and National Gallery, as well as regional museums, implement programs for social connection and mental health. The “Museums on Prescription” project, led by University College London, demonstrated the effectiveness of guided museum visits for improving the well-being of isolated or vulnerable people.
Other programs, like creative workshops in libraries, yoga or Tai-Chi sessions in museums (like “Mondays at the Museum” in Huddersfield), arts, dance, or music clubs, use creativity to combat isolation. The Arts Council England has even made this approach a pillar of its ten-year strategy “Let’s Create.”
Allowing yourself to become a tourist in your own host country is an effective strategy: visiting Borough Market in London, hiking the South West Coast Path, discovering the Lake District, strolling through historic neighborhoods, attending a show in the West End or a festival—all this allows you to associate your new life with positive and strong experiences.
When to Ask for Help: Resources in the UK
The UK has a dense network of psychological and social support services, public and voluntary. Knowing they exist, understanding who they are for and how to access them is an important step, especially if homesickness starts to become chronic.
In a crisis situation involving a person’s life, the emergency call is made via 999, or by going to the Accident & Emergency (A&E). For urgent but non-life-threatening support, 111 provides access to medical advice, including for mental health.
A network of organizations offering free listening and specialized support, available 24/7 for all communities.
Samaritans answer anytime at 116 123 for confidential listening.
The SHOUT line offers support by texting SHOUT to 85258.
Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) provide information and support.
ChildLine, YoungMinds, and The Mix offer dedicated support for young people.
Switchboard, MindOut, LGBT Foundation, Mermaids, AKT, and African Rainbow Family provide specialized support.
British universities, very aware of the weight of homesickness among students, multiply resources: student well-being offices, psychologists, personal tutors, peer mentoring programs, online platforms, support groups, chapels and inter-faith services. Some campuses even offer evening drop-in centers specifically dedicated to students in emotional distress.
To find suitable mental health services, national databases like Hub of Hope list available offerings by region. For international or expatriate audiences, specialized online platforms like Expathy offer therapy designed to address the specific challenges related to mobility.
Engaging in a support process—whether it’s a support group, brief therapy, peer support—is not a failure of expatriation. On the contrary, it’s an investment to be able to truly enjoy this experience, instead of enduring it.
Building a Bridge Between “Here” and “Back There”
Ultimately, managing homesickness in the UK is not about choosing between denying your home country and locking yourself in sterile nostalgia. It’s rather about building a living bridge between two worlds.
This bridge is made of routines and rituals, of maintained ties with your loved ones without dissolving into them, of new friendships, of dishes that remind you of your childhood, of local habits adopted with curiosity, of places you learn to love. It is also nourished by a finer understanding of what you’re going through: knowing that millions of other people, every year, live this same swing between enthusiasm and melancholy already helps break the loneliness a little.
Studies indicate that homesickness generally diminishes after a few weeks or months, thanks to the development of a new sense of belonging. It’s about finding a balance where missing loved ones and engagement in a new life can coexist.
In the UK, the arsenal of available tools—from national health services to creative groups, from local initiatives against loneliness to expatriate networks, from world food stores to major museums—constitutes a fertile ground for transforming this painful period into a stage of personal growth. The challenge is not to never feel homesick again, but to know how to tame it, understand it, and keep moving forward despite it.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. We encourage you to consult qualified experts before making any investment, real estate, or expatriation decisions. Although we strive to maintain up-to-date and accurate information, we do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the proposed content. As investment and expatriation involve risks, we disclaim any liability for potential losses or damages arising from the use of this site. Your use of this site confirms your acceptance of these terms and your understanding of the associated risks.
Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
