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Dealing With Homesickness

3/10/2020

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by Angie Lin

One of the many benefits we have at NYU is the incredible opportunity to study abroad. For most of us, when we receive our acceptance notifications or board the plane to our homes for the next four months, all we can think about is how excited we are and how much fun we will have. While this is the best mindset to have, it also means that sometimes we don’t consider any obstacles until we’re already facing them with no idea what to do.
 
This is my second semester studying abroad, and one of the problems I still face during the first few weeks is the feeling of homesickness. It’s not a fun feeling, and it’s also not one that is easy to get rid of, especially when it seems like everyone else is having the time of their life. Although I do still get homesick, I’d like to think that I’ve gotten better at dealing with it, so here are my top 5 tips for easing that uncomfortable feeling.
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1. Take advantage of your environment. Use what’s around you to make the best out of the situation. If you’re in a city, you’ll most likely have tons to see and do - visit a museum, wander the streets, or eat your way through the best places near you. You’ll probably have discounts with a student ID, so use it! If you’re somewhere more rural (like I currently am), take advantage of the fact that you’re surrounded by trees instead of skyscrapers. Go for a hike or explore the area and enjoy the fresh air. There are benefits to any environment, so figure out what they are and go after them.
 
2. Find your safe space. Maybe it’s a cafe you really like, a study spot you can always concentrate in, or just your room. Find a place in which you feel comfortable, and use it whenever you need a bit of peace or to calm your thoughts. Use it as a way to get out of your head and anchor yourself to where you are. For me, there’s a restaurant/coworking space on campus that I like going to. On the weekends, it turns into the campus cafeteria since the normal one is closed, but during the week, it’s generally pretty empty and is a great place to go to study or just relax. I like to sit by the window and look out at the greenery if I need a break.
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3. Keep yourself distracted. When we’re caught up in our thoughts, it’s so easy to start stressing about small things and it becomes a downward spiral. Give yourself something to do that you can focus on. It doesn’t have to be homework and it doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Browse YouTube or Netflix, listen to music, or read the book that you’ve been meaning to read but never got around to. Find something to do that will bring you to a different world and let yourself get immersed in it.
 
4. Remind yourself why you chose to study abroad. Remember that initial feeling of excitement you had? Channel that energy and think about what pushed you to apply for a semester abroad. Was it a new culture you wanted to learn more about? Was it the idea of traveling to a different country every weekend? Was it a specific class you were really interested in? Make a list of what you want to accomplish while you’re abroad and start working your way through it. Make plans ahead of time so that you can save money and have something to look forward to.
 
5. Be okay with not being okay. It is perfectly normal to be homesick, regardless of if it’s your first or fiftieth time away from home. The feelings that you have are completely valid, and it’s easier to accept that than to try and force them away. Do things at your own pace and don’t feel pressured to do something just because everyone else is. You should definitely try to step out of your comfort zone, but if you only agreed to something because people told you to and if you’re dreading it during the time leading up to it, maybe that’s a sign that it might not be the best thing for you to do. Remember that everyone is having the same experience of being in a new place, and everyone deals with it in different ways. Regardless of how much fun others may look like they’re having, your decisions are yours to make and only you know what the best choices are for yourself.
 
As you learn to navigate your study abroad experience, also keep in mind that you have a network of loved ones that you can fall back on. The beauty of the digital age is that we can connect with whoever we want whenever we want, regardless of where in the world they are. Don’t forget to check in with family and friends to let them know how you’re doing and remember that they are there to support you every step of the way.
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Sophie's Adventures from Paris

5/2/2017

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By: Sophie Gershenwald

Hey USWIB! I can’t believe how fast this semester is flying by – it seems like I wrote my last post yesterday, but it was already weeks ago.  I’ve been travelling a lot more recently, so I’m focusing on checking off my whole French to-do list in the upcoming weeks! I’m packing as much as I can into everyday, so this month is going to be a balancing act between studying for finals and making sure I don’t come home thinking about that one museum I didn’t get a chance to see. 
 
Paris is finally getting warmer and sunnier after being on the cusp of spring for a few weeks, which means that all of the flowers are finally blooming and that we can finally picnic along the Seine/in gardens!  The cherry blossoms near Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower are especially beautiful, and I recently travelled outside of Paris to Parc de Sceaux, designed by the same person who did the Tuilleries gardens and Versailles, to have a picnic under the cherry blossoms there.  I also went to Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny, which was beautiful and especially interesting because I learned all about his Lily Pad paintings (painted at Giverny) in Art History.
 
I haven’t been in Paris much over the past few weeks (except for school, of course!).  I went to Iceland a month ago and it was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on.  The flight is only a few hours, so it isn’t hard to get to at all.  We stayed in Reykjavik but went on tours everyday to make sure we saw everything.  The day after we got there, we went horseback riding on Icelandic ponies through a lava field.  They have 5 gaits that make them unique, a couple of which are especially bouncy and almost made my friends and I fall off.  We then went on a tour of the Golden Circle, which included Þingvellir National Park, featuring the oldest parliament in the world and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the ridge between America and Europe, The Great Geysir, the first documented geyser, its still-active neighbor, Strokkur, and the beautiful Gullfoss Waterfall.  The next day, we visited the Blue Lagoon and loved hanging out there for hours before returning back to Reykjavik to try the famous hot dogs at Baejarins Betzu Pylsur. We spent the rest of our trip exploring the city and trying interesting foods. Iceland is known for whale, fermented shark, and puffin, and I love tasting new things, so naturally, I tried all of them.  Fermented shark was definitely an experience.
 
Over spring break, I visited Lisbon, Portugal, and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.  Lisbon was beautiful, and every building is either a gorgeous pastel color or covered in intricate tiles.  We spent a lot of time just roaming the streets and soaking it all in.  Some highlights in the city include the Santa Justa Lift, an elevator that links city levels (Lisbon is basically just a series of hills), LX Factory, a really cool area with lots of shops and restaurants and a market every week, Sao Jorge Castle, ruins of a palace on top of a hill with beautiful views over the city, and the Church of Sao Roque, which is covered in intricate paintings and gold details. 
 
Our day trips included Sintra, Belem, and Cascais (just for the beautiful beaches!).  In Sintra, we spent the day wandering around the Pena National Palace.  It’s painted vibrant salmon, yellow, and blue colors and is surrounded by many gardens and parks.  In Belem, we went to the incredible Jeronimos Monastery, where Vasco de Gama is buried, visited the Tower of Belem, and ended the day by visiting the famous Pasteis de Belem and tasting their delicious pastels de nata, or egg tarts.  They have the original recipe, and only 3 people know it! Every other pastry shop in Portugal has been trying to figure out their recipe for decades.  We didn’t want to leave Portugal behind but loved being able to relax on Palma’s beaches and walk around the cute town for a few days.  It was a much-needed break before the craze of finals sets in.
 
I don’t want to leave Paris yet, but I’m making sure I make the most out of every day! I still have a couple of exciting trips planned to Italy and other towns in France, so the fun definitely isn’t over yet.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me at sdg370@nyu.edu! Good luck on finals, and have a great rest of the semester!
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IBEX Paris: HEC Paris

1/21/2016

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By: Xiaoying Zhao​

HI everyone, this is Xiaoying, the USWIB Liaison at HEC Paris. I wanted to make this next post about traveling out of Paris to the rest of Europe. Paris is located conveniently in a location that grants access to most of Europe in a quick plane ride. Some popular destinations among me and the other students include Italy, Belgium, UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, and more.

Paris has three international airports, Orly, CDG, and BVA. Orly is the closest airport to HEC and the easiest to get to. CDG requires the least amount of transfers on the train, but is on the other side of Paris compared to HEC. BVA is not officially located in Paris and requires the most time and money (you have to take a train to a certain station, then pay 16 euros for a bus to the airport). However, it is the airport that I once found a 30 euro round trip tickets to Pisa, Italy, so I suppose I shouldn’t complain too much.

Buses are also an option. You can get to nearby places via bus in hours, like to Brussels. If you’re comfortable sleeping on moving vehicles, overnight buses are also a great choice (I took an overnight bus to Amsterdam, but unfortunately, I didn’t sleep a wink). Buses are usually more affordable, and you don’t have to adhere to the limitations on liquids as opposed to airplanes.

I surprising fact I found about traveling within the European Union (except UK) is that you don’t have to go through customs when you arrive at your destinations. On bus rides, there isn’t even a physical barrier at the border. Airport officials barely glance at your passport when you check in. It almost as if you’re taking a domestic flight. Traveling to London was the only time I had to go through customs or received an official stamp on my passport.

That is the extent of my travel advice for the time being. I know that travel is on the mind of every study abroad student so I was very thankful that traveling from Paris was reasonably easy and affordable. If anyone has more questions, I’m happy to discuss further if you reach out.

Finally, I’d like to thank USWIB and all other lovely NYU people who reached out to me and other students in France after the horrendous incident in Paris on November 13. I was not in Paris at the time, but I was appreciative of the love and care I received.
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Snapshot of Studying in France on IBEX

1/21/2016

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By: Xiaoying Zhao

​The Food
…is delicious. French cooking lives up to its hype, from the buttery escargots, to well-seasoned meats, to rich cheese, to even the 59 cent baguettes.  However, the HEC campus is unfortunately located in a very small town that does not offer much variety. And although you can find a number of international restaurants in Paris, the suburbs are almost always just stuck with the basics of French food. 

The Classes
…are mostly enjoyable. The academic system is a little more lax. I only see professors once a week. I rarely have homework. And apart from the French accents, the lectures are reasonably understandable. The only flaw is that because the system is lax, the professors can do almost whatever they want. They don’t pass out notes and they don’t have regular office hours. They can cancel a certain class session and reschedule it for another random day if they wish. Sometimes this can be inconvenient.

The People
…are mostly lovely. The students are usually welcoming and very curious to learn about New York. Every student I’ve spoken to so far is aware of NYU. They are very knowledgeable about the US, from Hollywood, to our business, to Donald Trump’s campaign for the presidency. It’s actually a bit scary sometimes. 

Surprises
…include most shops and restaurants being closed on Sundays, business closed for a complete hour for lunch during weekdays, restaurants not being open until 7 PM for dinner, the lack of sale of iced coffee anywhere, and the lack of separation of male and female restrooms. The French don’t seem to find any awkwardness in the fact that male and female stalls are right next to each other in the same room at times. 

Overall I’m extremely grateful to be here, but living in France has made me appreciate New York even more :) ​
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Pardon My French (Part 2)

1/20/2016

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By: Christine Lin

Welcome back to the second installment of my adventures in Europe on the International Business Exchange (IBEX)! For a refresher, feel free to check out my first post.


Midterm exams are in full swing here at HEC Paris. I like the variety of topics I’m learning so far. Some highlights: Beginner Français has taught me how to introduce myself in conversation and discuss basic facts about French companies, while Luxury Wine Marketing has opened up a whole new perspective on the centuries-old tradition of categorizing wines in the three major wine regions in France. Also, my Mergers & Acquisitions class is a thorough, detailed expansion of such topics as valuation.

Outside of the classroom, I have been travelling most weekends to become even more immersed in the study of European history and cultures. One of the most breathtakingly beautiful places I have ever visited is Claude Monet’s residence in the region of Giverny, France.


If you’ve ever been captivated by the idyllic nature scenery and colors of this Impressionist artist, I would highly recommend a trip to the place where such famous works as Water Lilies and Japanese Footbridge were created! The immaculately kept gardens and house create amazing context for a lifestyle and important art movement in French history.

In mid-September, I ventured into warmer weather with a weekend in Barcelona, Spain. While my tastebuds were treated with paella valenciana and natillas de leche, I also enjoyed the creations of Antoni Gaudí by visiting landmarks like La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. The Festival of La Mercè also happened while I was there, so the night was filled with sounds of open-air concerts and traditional Spanish dancing. With all its architectural, artistic and culinary hallmarks, Spain is a treat for the senses.

Next up, I flew to Stockholm, Sweden to visit the artsy Södermalm neighborhood, sing at the ABBA Museum and get my meatballs fix! I’ve been absolutely enamored with Swedish culture and design for many years, so visiting my number one destination on this semester abroad was really a dream come true. It gave me a sense of being back in my favorite Brooklyn neighborhoods, while maintaining its bright Scandinavian colors and hospitality. The city is to modern, ultra-minimalist fashion culture what Paris is to classic luxury goods, so needless to say this fashion lover was ecstatic to finally experience Stockholm’s strong design sensibilities. I would return to this beautiful, forward-thinking city in a heartbeat.

Last but not least, I decided to pay a visit to my friend and fellow Sternie Kim Pham (BS ’14), who is living and working in Dublin, Ireland. After a month in Europe, it does come as a bit of a relief to be back in a predominantly English-speaking country! I highly enjoyed taking in the rich literary tradition of Dublin, which is home to some of my favorite writers like Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and W.B. Yeats as well as the Library at Trinity College (one of the oldest research libraries in the world). In addition, Kim and I took a day trip through the Irish countryside and Cliffs of Moher, which is truly a spectacular natural landmark. Hearing the fisherman traditions of the Aran Islands and cultural quirks of locals gave me a deeper appreciation of Ireland than any cheesy St. Patricks’ Day tropes could.

That’s all I have to share for now! It’s been a whirlwind month of travel adventures, making new friends and snapping an Instagrams’ worth of memories. It’s truly been inspiring to learn all of the cultural singularities, historical contexts and heritage that make up these remarkable European cities. Diving headfirst into these experiences helps me to better appreciate people from all backgrounds and ultimately myself.
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Pardon My French (Part 1)

1/20/2016

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By: Christine Lin

Greetings from Paris! My name is Christine Lin, and I’m currently a junior in the Stern Undergraduate College studying abroad at HEC Paris School of Management. My concentrations are in finance and marketing with a minor in computer science. I’m participating in the International Business Exchange (IBEX) program, which sends Stern students to 20 partner schools around the world.


A Very Different Campus Experience
As I type this from my dorm room, I’m well into my third week at HEC and really enjoying the experience so far! The school is located about 45 minutes outside of Paris in a town called Jouy-en-Josas, so it’s a bit removed from the hustle and bustle we’re used to at a city school. The campus includes student dorms, a gym, buildings with classrooms as well as a beautiful lake surrounded by trees. After spending two years living in the heart of Manhattan, coming to HEC is quite a different experience from our bustling campus.
Exploring Around Paris
However, this is not to say I don’t plan on doing my fair share of sightseeing! If you are as obsessed with art history, architecture and diving into new cultures as I am, Paris is a treat for the senses. During my first week, I was able to visit many historical landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Catacombs, the Palace at Versailles and the Louvre Museum. At the Louvre, I was excited to see so many famous pieces of artwork such as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix. My exploration of Paris culminated in a fantastic boat trip on the Seine River that was planned as part of HEC’s Welcome Week festivities.
Class Is In Session: Academics on Exchange
This semester, I am taking six courses that will all transfer back towards my Stern degree. The finance courses I’m enrolled in include Mergers & Acquisitions and Project & Export Finance, which count as advanced electives; in addition, I am taking beginner French, French Culture Studies and a few business electives including Luxury Wine Marketing (can you get a more French-themed class than that?). I like the classes I’ve attended so far, but a few are structured as seminars that happen in six-to-seven intensive blocks so I have yet to experience them. Prioritizing a class schedule that would transfer credits back to Stern as well as fulfilling my interest in deep cultural immersion was definitely a big advantage I considered when choosing my IBEX school.
Pardon My French: Learning the French Customs and Lifestyle
Something you may have heard about France is that you’re nearly expected to speak French when you are here – as a non-French speaker, I can confirm that Parisians are indeed proud of their culture but most are perfectly happy to help out foreigners! Bonjours and cheek kisses aside, I believe the most important rule of thumb for studying abroad in any country is to be humble, be open to learning from new experiences and to show respect to locals by brushing up on norms and basic phrases beforehand. I’m glad to be taking French through HEC because it will definitely help me get around and hear more authentic perspectives. Also, I have made a number of fellow international friends from such diverse countries as Morocco, Germany, Japan and Mexico who are equally excited to experience France for the first time.

That’s all I have to share for now! This weekend, I am taking a trip to Barcelona, Spain with friends, which kicks off my cross-country travel plans for the semester. Stay tuned for updates and thanks for reading!

Until next time!
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