Coping With Being Abroad During Big Events And Holidays

Being abroad is hard as it is; sometimes, being abroad for such a long time can make you feel a sense of guilt for missing out on big moments with your family and friends back home. Children being born, marriages, and deaths are hard to conceptualize when you're so far away. I have dealt with this, and it is very normal, too. 

Use a calendar to deal with a 9-hour time zone difference

I am originally from California, and moving to Madrid means I am 9 hours ahead of all my loved ones. I have studied abroad in Italy and traveled frequently, but not for as long. One thing that helped me communicate with my friends and loved ones, especially my mom, was scheduling and time; I literally put it in my phone calendar. This will help you remember. My mom and I would call frequently at 9 PM UTC+01:00 because it was noon in California. Life will move fast abroad, but making time for your loved ones at home virtually is so important. 

Share your traditions abroad

An idea that comes to mind when sharing your tradition from home is Thanksgiving. This past year, I attended 3 Friendsgivings, and it was quite special. It felt like I was back home, and everyone was in a festive mood, bringing ‘traditional’ dishes from home. This could also be as simple as going to the gym, practicing yoga, or engaging in the arts if these are things you enjoy. 

The holidays abroad may be the worst, especially because most students and language assistants go home, but you might be in a case where you aren’t. Reach out to others in your classes or program to hang out, but be open to new things. I know many people who spend Christmas traveling because it can be very festive in other cities. Remember, this is just a short time in your life, so being open to new things is mandatory. 

Acknowledge your feelings

Moving abroad (even temporarily) can be tough; this is something we all know as expats. Sometimes living abroad is glamorized online, and just because your experience doesn’t look the same as others doesn’t mean it's not normal. Finding groups that you feel understand you and can hear you out is so important. 

Don’t hesitate to consult with a therapist, whether online from your home country or in your host city. Participate in conversation hours where others share their experiences. There are numerous resources available; all you need to do is take the initiative to find them. For those in Madrid, I highly recommend exploring Deep Chats, a space designed for meaningful connections through intentional conversations.

Start journaling

Journaling can take different forms for everyone; this may mean sending yourself a postcard every time you travel to a new city or country. This can be a smash journal where you save things like receipts, tickets, and other memorabilia and stick them in a journal. Journaling is not just traditional writing, but it can be. Documenting this period in your life is something you will not want to forget, the good and the bad.  

For me, journaling means writing in a personal travel blog while I share my tips and itinerary with young travelers like myself. I have really taught myself to reflect on my trips and write down everything I’ve done. 

Check out my personal blog for more details on traveling abroad: https://idalisvallejo.blog/resources/