My Beef wtih Homesickness

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain

I know what some of you are already thinking, "How can you be homesick? You're living in beautiful SPAIN on the Mediterranean Coast!" That may be true and let me tell you Málaga is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited. But living abroad for an extended period of time is such an interesting journey. I have talked about the roller-coaster emotions in an earlier blog (See Como Te Va) so I will not rehash them in this one. Instead, I want to offer some advice to my fellow language and culture assistants in Spain, about ways that help me cope with homesickness. Hopefully they will give you fresh perspective and help you as well.

1. Going to the beach- I am very fortunate to live in a city with a gorgeous beach. For me, going down by the la playa is extremely soothing. Although I am from the beach (shout out to my lovely 757ers) I can honestly say that our piece of the Atlantic doesn't compare to the gorgeous Mediterranean (sorry!). Walking or running along the boardwalk, enjoying a drink at one of the many chiringuitos, tomando sol (sun bathing), sitting under the shaded palm trees, swimming in the crystal clear water, having a picnic, or sitting on rocks by the water all are different ways I enjoy the beach. Simply being down there, knowing that I will not have the same atmosphere at home helps me a great deal.


2. Start a new hobby- We have the luxury of only having 12 hour work weeks which equates to having A LOT of free time. This can be a good or bad thing. I have started running down by the beach to take up some of my time as well as learning to become a better runner. I have never enjoyed running and honestly I've never been very good at it. I have the time here where I can really dedicate myself to it, and that has helped a great deal. Plus, all of the wonderful tapas, wine, bread and cheese is not going to work itself off. ;). Maybe running is not your thing, pick a different hobby! Cooking, photography, exercising, writing, salsa dancing! The options are endless.

3. Teach clases particulares (private classes)- tutoring English on the side is a great way to make a professional impact in someone's life and to earn some extra money doing so. I was tutoring 7 hours a week up until January and now I am only tutoring 2 hours a week. You decide what's best for you. At the beginning I really needed those extra 7 hours to keep myself busy. For the second half of the year I have decided to only teach 2 hours, so I am still occupying my time but also having time to enjoy my last few months in Málaga.


4. Spend time outside- I know this sounds crazy but honestly being outside really helps! We are blessed with good weather (most of the time) in Malaga. However, the temperature inside our apartment is FREEZING. I am always cold in our apartment and I feel like Jessica and I are not the only ones. Having no insulation and living in a shaded area will do that to you. Spending time outside not only thaws me out, but it gives me a great change of scenery. Staying inside my apartment all of the time contributes to missing home, and freezing while doing so. Go outside!

5. Travel- Traveling on the weekends gives you something to look forward to! Venture out to a new country, or even a new city in Spain. Take a day trip somewhere. Traveling will give you something to look forward to and will take your mind off of your homesickness.







7. Spending time with Americans- I know we want to immerse ourselves in the Spanish culture and not only surround ourselves with Americans, but I think that we should have a balance. Hang out with your Spanish or international friends, but also have some American friends in your area or in another area in Spain that you can keep in touch with. Sometimes it's comforting to be reminded of your roots and to have that kind of support.







8. Go to a coffee house- Go to a coffee house to meet up with friends, have an intercambio, or even surf the web in an area that is outside of your apartment. There is a wonderful place in Málaga called Cafe con Libros that I have become obsessed with. If I have lessons to plan or other work to do, I try to make myself do it at this coffee house so I can 1) enjoy amazing cafe con leche and 2) still be productive but in a social setting.


9. Do things that you know you can't do in the states- Buy cheap wine at a chino store, eat tapas, take a siesta (without feeling guilty that you're taking a nap!), go to a discoteca at 3am and dance until sunrise, etc. Looking back, you won't regret taking advantage of things that Spain has to offer.


I hope that this advice helps you. I'll leave you with these quotes.

“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” -Samuel Johnson

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” -Lin Yutang

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” -St. Augustine