Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving abroad, even to a welcoming country like Oman, is a significant step. Between the excitement, new career opportunities, and discovering a fascinating culture, the flip side is often homesickness. Whether you’re arriving alone, as a couple, with children, or on a temporary assignment, the longing for “home” can strike sooner or later.
Percentage of international students experiencing homesickness during their first weeks abroad
In a country where nearly 40% of the population is foreign-born, with communities from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, Western countries, and elsewhere living side-by-side, learning to manage homesickness is almost a basic skill. Especially since Oman, with its Ibadi culture, social codes, overwhelming summer heat, and a still-limited public transport system, can be unsettling at first.
This article provides a very practical overview to understand what you’re feeling, identify warning signs, and, most importantly, build a new life in Oman without giving up your roots.
Understanding Homesickness When Living in Oman
Researchers describe homesickness as a normal emotional reaction to separation from familiar anchors: loved ones, language, landscapes, smells, routines. Psychologist Josh Klapow links it to an instinctive need for safety, protection, and love. When everything changes all at once, this need screams in the background.
In Oman, this shock can be compounded by other factors: different culture, a new spoken language, social codes to decode, disorienting climate, physical distance from family. Studies on expatriates show the triggers are often the same, regardless of the host country: rupture of routine, language barrier, feeling of not belonging to the new environment, lack of support networks.
A common pattern often emerges, described by the famous “W” curve of cultural adaptation. A honeymoon phase, where everything is new and exciting, gives way to a “negotiation” stage: irritations, feelings of loneliness, settling nostalgia. Over the months, daily life becomes organized, you adjust, and then a mastery phase appears, with a sense of dual belonging. In this cycle, Oman has its specificities that can intensify, or conversely, soften each stage.
Symptoms to Watch For
Testimonies from expatriates in Oman overlap with numerous international studies on the subject. Homesickness manifests on several levels.
Living abroad is often accompanied by sadness, anxiety, irritability, and a feeling of emptiness. Even after several months, it is common to feel insecurity, loneliness, and a sense of not fitting in.
Physically, the effects can be more subtle but very real. Research, as well as qualitative studies conducted with migrants, highlight headaches, stomach pains, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and appetite disruptions (loss or excessive snacking). Researchers also note lowered immune defenses, with recurring minor health issues.
In Oman, certain factors intensify this fatigue: intense heat that can reach 40°C (104°F) in summer, long car journeys, adapting to different food, and routine changes during the month of Ramadan.
Homesickness can lead to isolating behavior (staying alone, avoiding outings, spending time on social media following one’s home country), creating a vicious cycle of nostalgia. At work, this often translates into decreased performance, mistakes, and a lack of interest in the local context, as indicated by organizational studies.
A key criterion emerges from clinical research: if this cluster of symptoms lasts beyond two to four weeks without improvement, or seriously impacts sleep, appetite, work, or relationships, seeking professional support is recommended.
Causes Specific to Settling in Oman
Some causes are universal, but the Omani context adds some particularities.
Oman is safe, very welcoming, with low crime and a reputation for religious tolerance. This secure climate, cleanliness, and a more serene pace of life than in some major Gulf cities attract many expatriates, to the point that some report hardly feeling homesick at all. But this apparent gentleness does not erase other challenges.
A mother had to leave her two children to work in a region near Oman. The geographical distance, with the time difference complicating real-time communication, and the high travel costs, especially for large families, made the separation extremely painful and taxing during the first months.
Cultural differences also play a role. In Oman, modest dress is the norm, public displays of affection are frowned upon, the value placed on the group and extended family can be surprising. Communication often remains indirect, with an avoidance of direct “no.” For an expatriate, interpreting these signals takes time and energy.
The language barrier can amplify the feeling of isolation, even though English is widely used in business and tourism. Research on expatriate anxiety also emphasizes an interesting point: it’s not only one’s actual language level that matters, but the perception of one’s own competence. Feeling “bad” at Arabic or English, even if one manages, increases stress.
Finally, the very structure of daily life in Oman plays a part. Public transport remains limited, especially outside Muscat. Most expatriates end up driving, which involves getting a local license, buying or renting a car, and navigating the traffic. Without a vehicle, many report a feeling of confinement and dependence on others, which reinforces homesickness.
Relying on a Network: The Best Antidote to Nostalgia
All studies agree: having a support network significantly reduces the impact of homesickness. Both physically and psychologically, well-supported individuals cope better with hardships, suffer less from anxiety or depressive disorders, and find it easier to integrate.
A study of Indian expatriates in Muscat highlighted a perception of low social support, including from family and friends, despite living within a large community. The authors conclude that workplaces should be designed to strengthen mutual aid and listening. This finding easily translates to all expatriates in Oman.
Where and How to Make Friends in Oman
The first instinct is often to turn to networks of already established expatriates. In Oman, the foreign community is very dense — nearly 40% of the population — which multiplies possible entry points.
In the Omani capital, the neighborhoods of Al Mouj, Qurum, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, and Shatti Al-Qurum have a high concentration of expatriates. These areas offer many opportunities for socialization thanks to their cafes, gyms, clubs, and regular events. Establishments like Dose Café or The Coffee Library are favored spots for informal meetups, reading groups, or language club gatherings.
Numerous clubs exist, whether sports facilities (rugby clubs, golf clubs, hiking groups like the Muscat Hiking Club), social circles (British Social Club, parent support groups, expatriate women’s networks), or cultural associations. Organizations like the Indian Social Club Oman unite entire diasporas around cultural and social events.
Online platforms play a central role. Facebook groups like “Muscat Expats” or “Oman Expats” allow asking practical questions, finding roommates, spotting weekend outings. Sites like Internations.org or Meetup.com list parties, hikes, dinners, yoga sessions, professional meetups. Some events are even organized by private companies (adventure platforms, relocation agencies, etc.) that use these gatherings as showcases and community-building spaces.
A few typical places mentioned by expatriates and guides for meeting and socializing in Oman.
The historic Muttrah Souq in Muscat is a lively place to discover local culture, shop, and meet locals and other expatriates.
The many public beaches and developed corniches, like Qurum’s, are popular spots for informal meetups, picnics, or sports activities.
Large shopping malls like the Mall of Oman or Avenues Mall are major social hubs, housing restaurants, cafes, and entertainment.
Many clubs (sports, cultural, community) and expatriate associations regularly organize events and are excellent meeting points.
Traditional Omani cafes, often located near forts or in old quarters, are authentic places for conversation and observing local life.
| Type of place / activity | Examples in Oman | Main benefit for fighting homesickness |
|---|---|---|
| Expatriate residential areas | Al Mouj, Qurum, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos | International neighborhood, cafes, walks, marinas |
| Clubs and associations | British Social Club, Muscat Rugby Club, Indian Social Club Oman | Long-lasting friendships, community support |
| Online groups | “Muscat Expats,” Internations Oman, Meetup Oman | Information, outings, virtual support |
| Leisure spots | Fun Zone, Shatti Al Qurum, Royal Opera House | Family activities, international culture |
| Parent groups | Muscat Mums, Moms & Tots (Yellow Submarine) | Support for isolated parents, play for kids |
Expatriate forums are full of very practical advice: taking advantage of the gym after work, playing badminton in the evening, joining a soccer or basketball team, taking painting classes, offering volunteer help (tutoring, organizing community events). One expatriate, for example, recounts overcoming her loneliness by multiplying activities: sports, art, reading, daily meetups in the neighborhood garden.
In all cases, the key remains the same: be willing to make the first move, even if it seems intimidating. Research on expatriates highlights that action-oriented strategies — going out, signing up for something, concretely solving difficulties — are more effective in the long term than focusing solely on emotions without taking action.
The Role of Work and Schools
The workplace is a major anchor point. In Oman, key sectors like oil and gas, education, healthcare, and construction bring together professionals from around the world. International or local companies accustomed to employing expatriates sometimes organize integration events, team-building activities, or even internal networks dedicated to foreign employees.
When a company invests in social support — mentorship, sponsorship, informal gatherings — the effects of homesickness on employee motivation and health decrease.
Studies on host organizations
For teachers, school communities play a similar role: international schools in Muscat or Salalah bring together parents, teachers, and students from multiple countries. Parent-teacher meetings, parent committees, cultural or sports events become many opportunities to build connections.
Children and teenagers themselves can feel the break from their home country very acutely. Research conducted in the region highlights academic pressure, the difficulty of growing up without extended family nearby, and a risk of isolation. Again, the school is often the place to spot these signals and provide referrals to psychologists or extracurricular activities.
Staying Connected to Home Despite Distance and App Restrictions
Maintaining a link with your home country is an emotional necessity. This connection nourishes identity, allows you to pass on your culture to children, and provides a sense of continuity. But in Oman, it runs into a concrete obstacle: the blocking of many VoIP applications.
Skype, Viber, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger calls are officially restricted to protect local telecom operators’ revenue. Zoom and Microsoft Teams have been opened, notably for professional reasons, and some apps like Imo have fluctuating availability. This situation surprises many new arrivals, who imagined they could make free video calls like elsewhere.
Faced with these constraints, expatriates develop various strategies. Using a VPN is common, although its legality and stability can be questionable. Others opt for still-accessible services like Google Duo, or fall back on standard voice calls.
International calling cards (“Marhaba“, “Aalo“…) allow for cheaper calls abroad, particularly to some Asian or African countries. Expatriates explain they extend conversations by choosing times when the network is less busy, often late at night. Local operators, Omantel and Ooredoo, also offer plans with reduced international rates during certain hours.
The table below summarizes some communication options from Oman and their benefit for managing homesickness:
| Means of communication | Situation in Oman | Main benefit for morale |
|---|---|---|
| VoIP apps (Skype, WhatsApp call) | Largely blocked | Require VPN, can create frustration |
| Zoom / Microsoft Teams | Accessible | Scheduled video calls with family & friends |
| Google Duo | Available without VPN (depending on case) | Simple video calls, especially mobile |
| International calling cards | Sold locally (“Marhaba”, “Aalo”) | Reduced cost for frequent calls |
| Direct calls via Omantel / Ooredoo | Always possible | Network stability, special evening offers |
Beyond the tools, how you communicate also matters. Psychologists recommend prioritizing regular, scheduled calls, with quality conversations rather than a constant stream of messages. Some expatriates choose a weekly video date, others have short but daily exchanges.
According to adaptation research, maintaining contact with one’s home country is important, but excess can hinder integration. It is advisable to limit calls or video conferences in the evening to avoid remaining emotionally anchored in one’s former environment. The goal is to find support without hindering immersion in the new country.
Many families create hybrid rituals: cooking the same recipe at the same time in two different countries, sharing photo albums via collaborative apps, watching a movie together remotely. Others rely on sending packages, letters, children’s drawings, which materialize the connection despite the distance.
Embracing Omani Culture to Feel Less Like a Stranger
Immersing yourself in the local culture doesn’t erase homesickness, but often soothes it. The more familiar the environment becomes, the less the feeling of being lost. In Oman, some traits clearly make things easier.
The society places great value on family, hospitality, and generosity. The image of a guest welcomed with Omani coffee (kahwa) and dates is more than just a cliché. An Omani interviewed as part of an intercultural exchange program insisted on this point: to understand his country, nothing beats a visit to an Omani family, away from tourist circuits.
To be perceived as respectful, it’s advisable to use the greeting “As-salamu Alaikum,” dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees for women, avoiding shorts for men in town), and respect prayer times as well as fasting during Ramadan.
Expatriates often emphasize how small attentions open doors: accepting an invitation for coffee, bringing a small gift (e.g., halwa, the famous local dessert), inquiring about customs before visiting a village or a souq.
Learning a few basic words like hello, thank you, or please has a very positive effect. Studies on language anxiety show that the perception of one’s ability to communicate is as important as the actual level. It’s enough to give a sense of being able to interact daily and show respect.
Cultural discovery can also come through leisure. Oman is full of places to explore that, paradoxically, bring you closer to home by offering moments of respite: strolling through Muttrah Souq, walking on the corniche, picnicking at Qurum Beach, attending an international concert at the Royal Opera House Muscat, visiting the forts of Nizwa or Rustaq, hiking in Jebel Al Akhdar, descending into a wadi on the weekend. Many expatriates say that by making these places their own, they stopped feeling “in transit.”
Structuring Your Daily Life: Routines, Mobility, and a Personal Cocoon
Psychology research emphasizes the importance of routines to reduce anxiety and the impression of chaos. In Oman, where everything changes at once — climate, schedule, ways of getting around — rebuilding a reassuring framework becomes a powerful lever against homesickness.
Start with simple things: fixed wake-up and bedtimes, time slots reserved for exercise, cooking, family calls, outings. Studies show this structure improves the sense of control and promotes a better mood.
In testimonies from expatriates in Oman, obtaining a driver’s license often comes up as a turning point. Being able to get around without depending on a colleague or spouse breaks the feeling of confinement and opens up possibilities: joining a gym a bit further away, going to Muttrah Souq, going to the beach after work, participating in weekend hikes.
Creating a real “home” locally is just as essential. Decorating your home with photos, objects brought from your country, books in your language, a familiar rug, a candle that reminds you of a home scent — all this provides grounding. Some expatriates talk about a “comfort corner” in their living room or bedroom, with familiar music, a comfortable armchair, family memorabilia. In studies on nostalgia, this space of continuity plays a protective role.
The following table summarizes some concrete habits, frequently cited by expatriates and confirmed by research, that help structure daily life in Oman:
| Domain | Examples of Routines in Oman | Effect on Homesickness |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep | Fixed bedtime, limit screens before sleep | Reduces fatigue, improves mood |
| Physical Activity | Morning jog, gym, swimming, badminton | Releases tension, facilitates meeting people |
| Food | Alternate local cuisine and dishes from home | Brings comfort while promoting integration |
| Mobility | Get a license, plan a weekly outing | Provides a sense of freedom and exploration |
| Hobbies | Reading, painting, learning a language on Duolingo | Occupies the mind, creates a sense of personal progress |
| Social Life | A weekly coffee with a new contact, a regular club | Strengthens network, reduces loneliness |
Protecting Yourself Psychologically: Self-Care and Professional Help
Not everyone reacts the same way to living abroad. Risk factors — history of anxiety or depression, limited travel experience, significant cultural gap with home country, a small friend network locally — increase the likelihood of intense and lasting homesickness.
Self-care strategies, widely validated by research, are then all the more important. Regular physical exercise, for example, reduces anxiety symptoms and promotes better sleep. In Oman, opportunities abound: swimming pool, walking at dawn, team sports, climbing in wadis, fitness classes in air-conditioned gyms.
Practices of mindfulness and meditation are accessible via many apps. Writing, in the form of a journal, helps put words to your experience, notice small victories, and not let nostalgia crush everything else.
Passive scrolling on social media, by fostering social comparison, can accentuate feelings of exclusion for an expatriate. It’s beneficial to limit this time, for example by setting a daily maximum or temporarily filtering certain content.
When symptoms remain entrenched despite everything, the option of consulting a mental health professional is worth considering. In Oman, the availability is growing but remains concentrated in major cities, especially Muscat. Private facilities like Al Harub Medical Centre, Oasis of Hope, Beautiful Mind Counseling, Whispers of Serenity Clinic, or Eunoia Clinic offer consultations in English, sometimes in other languages. Private hospitals like Muscat Private Hospital also have psychiatry or psychology services.
The mental healthcare system in Oman faces challenges, including a shortage of specialists and community services, and the persistence of traditional beliefs attributing illness to the evil eye or jinn. In response, teleconsultation, popularized during the pandemic, is a favored alternative among expatriates. A recent study highlights its perceived advantages: reduction in work absenteeism, travel costs, and fear of social judgment.
Large international platforms connect expatriates with psychologists who speak their language, sometimes based in Europe or elsewhere but familiar with issues of living abroad. Targeted structures like Expathy for expatriates, or centers like Pranaah for Indian and Malayalam-speaking communities, show how much this need is recognized.
The main obstacle remains the stigma. Omani culture, like many conservative contexts, sometimes still associates psychological distress with personal weakness. Expatriates from cultures where the subject is rarely discussed may internalize this shame. Yet, from a scientific standpoint, prolonged homesickness is a real risk factor for more severe issues — depression, panic attacks, burnout. Seeking help is not an admission of failure but a preventative step.
Finding a Balance Between Two Worlds
Living in Oman while belonging to another country, another language, another culture, involves juggling two emotional worlds. Homesickness often stems from a feeling of fracture: what you were before arriving here and what you are becoming seem incompatible. Yet, many expatriates end up developing what one article called “dual belonging”: you keep your roots, while putting down roots elsewhere.
Research indicates the most difficult period is often in the first few months. For international students, morale improves significantly around three months, with the establishment of routines and social ties. Some work also mentions a “six-month slump,” when the novelty wears off. Knowing these phases are normal helps avoid dramatizing them.
For expatriates in Oman, the challenge is to achieve a compromise. Continuing to celebrate holidays from your home country, cooking your traditional dishes, frequenting shops that import familiar products, listening to music from home — all this nourishes an identity not dependent on location. In parallel, opening up to Omani traditions, attending festivals, discovering local cuisine, accepting invitations, frequenting cultural places, creates new attachments.
Some expatriates even develop particular gratitude towards Oman. On forums, you read statements of appreciation for the safety, cleanliness, kindness of the people, freedom to practice one’s religion, the possibility of having a temple or a church. This feeling of luck doesn’t cancel out homesickness, but places it in a broader perspective: that of a life experience which, despite its emotional costs, brings growth and openness.
Expatriates in Oman
Managing homesickness in Oman is ultimately about learning to make two internal postcards coexist. The one of the country you left, with its streets, faces, and language. And the one of the country that welcomes you, with its coastline, mountains, souqs, Arabic polite phrases, taxi drivers, Omani or immigrant colleagues. The challenge is not to put one away in a drawer, but to overlay them until they form just one story: yours.
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.
