Over the past few years, I have been very fortunate to gain experiences that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Studying at Trinity has been one of them. What I have enjoyed the most, though, is getting to know new people and making friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. The friends I have made here have taught me new things while directly contributing to my personal growth, and I hope to have done the same for them. Life in Dublin has been an absolute pleasure, which is something I wish to make exceedingly clear before embarking on the rest of this article. That is, longing for familiarity in no way negates one’s appreciation for the new, exciting things in life.
During my time on Erasmus, whenever my mother sounded especially irritable on the phone, I knew it was time to book a quick Ryanair flight home. Now, with us living further away from each other, I no longer have that luxury, which is a challenge I have had to face.
Fortunately, my heavier workload has been a blessing in disguise. Keeping myself busy, whether it be through assignments, friends, or work, has helped keep the homesickness at bay. However, when it does hit, it can be a bit melancholic. Luckily, I’m no stranger to living abroad, so I’ve developed a few mechanisms to cope with any nostalgia that comes along. Hopefully these tactics might help those of you feeling the same way.
“Still, the process of following recipes given to me by my grandmother or aunt – no matter how frustrating their instructions to ‘eyeball’ the measure for certain ingredients can be – is in itself relaxing enough”
One especially fulfilling method is food. Now, I am by no means claiming to be a good chef. Frankly, while I have the ability to cook some meals, I still struggle to make rice that isn’t mushy. Still, the process of following recipes given to me by my grandmother or aunt – no matter how frustrating their instructions to ‘eyeball’ the measure for certain ingredients can be – is in itself relaxing enough. Baking the brownies I’ve made for my family on several occasions makes me feel closer to reuniting with them. I’ve even taken to incorporating supplements into my diet. While I love Ireland’s crisp air, as someone who was raised in warmer climates, I have not fully adapted to its lack of sunlight. I love the rain, but I do not feel fully awake if I don’t wake up to some degree of natural light; this is when vitamin D capsules come in handy.
The twenty-first century has brought about a host of lovely inventions. From Instagram to Facetime, I do my best to keep in touch with my immediate family and close friends. Things as simple as a like on a story, or a quick DM commenting on something silly I did and shared online, will bring me the much-needed reminder that the people I miss are closer than they seem.
In addition to cross-national communication, technology has also made music more available than ever. One click and I’m listening to the likes of Fairuz and Dalida, whose soft tunes are capable of curing any wistfulness. Another playlist will have me bopping along to nostalgic beats, while my Egyptian wedding playlist will fill me with the kind of animation that is unmatched – even by the coffee I chug during all-nighters.
“Regardless of the plot or its quality, seeing it play out in my native language, especially when a day has gone by without me speaking it, can be a good reminder of my identity”
Streaming websites are yet another useful technological wonder. Through them, I am able to access the ultimate weapon against homesickness (or at least, my personal favourite): television. Whether it’s a rom-com that will have me sobbing my eyes out or a comedy that’ll have me in stitches, when it comes to Egyptian cinema, there are lots of options to choose from. Sometimes, when it’s been a particularly long week and I have assignments that need to be submitted, I’ll have an old sitcom on while I do some work. Regardless of the plot or its quality, seeing it play out in my native language, especially when a day has gone by without me speaking it, can be a good reminder of my identity. Watching the interactions between different characters helps me see myself and my family members represented through them. Simple scenes, like a mother eating sunflower seeds while watching TV, will have me flashing back to times when I did the same with my family. Despite the different genres I watch, there is almost always a character that reminds me of someone, whether that be a member of my family, a friend, or even an old teacher.
“The power of films and shows in preserving and showcasing culture is unparalleled”
The study-abroad experience is one of excitement and personal growth. From learning and adapting to new cultures, to making friends who help me grow and grow with me, it is a privilege that I am proud to hold. However, when homesickness rears its ugly head, coping mechanisms are required. From my country’s cuisine to its music, I use various ways to soothe my longing for home when needed. One of the most effective ways, though, will always be television. The power of films and shows in preserving and showcasing culture is unparalleled. Through it, seeing our family members, friends, and ourselves in the characters depicted can be a nice reminder of home while undergoing our studies and working towards our future.
