Studying Abroad and the Fear of Missing Out

By Rosie Atkinson, Stony Brook University, U.S.A

Studying abroad in a foreign country is a life-changing experience as you meet new people, learn about new cultures and visit new places, but this can also come with the fear of missing out on what’s happening back home. I have been in the USA at Stony Brook University for almost a month now and have made new friends and took part in many different activities and trips, but I still face the fear of missing out on things back at home. The fear of uncertainty that you face in your new foreign country combined with the familiarity of what you are leaving behind can seem scary and sad at times, but it is worth noting and taking advantage of the amazing opportunity you are experiencing. 

Leaving Home: Facing the Initial Anxiety

I found the weeks and days leading up to my departure from the UK to the USA as the biggest challenge I have faced so far. Anxiety about the unknown that awaited me and sadness about leaving my friends in Manchester behind took over my head. Despite my apprehensions about missing out on things at home, I took the opportunity to investigate the things I could look forward to in my new foreign university and the local areas I could visit. I looked on the university’s social media pages to look at what events the university held and researched attractions and places to visit around the university to see where I could visit in my free time. I knew that if I dropped out of the exchange programme before it began then I would regret my decision as I would always be thinking of the ‘what ifs’. 

Taking Your Mind Off Things: Embracing New Activities

Despite settling down into my new university accommodation, getting familiar with the campus and making new friends abroad, it is normal to worry about what you are missing out on back at Manchester, especially in the age of social media where you can see what your friends are up to. To counter these feelings, I fill up my free time with on campus activities that for me were mainly covered by the fees I paid to the university, or small fees for trips off campus. I found that Stony Brook has a website, SB engaged, where events are listed, and that there is usually an event that I am interested in almost every single day. Events that I have taken part in so far include flower pressing, painting, perfume making, clay magnet making and bingo. The mandatory recreation fees mean that I also have access to the gym and their weekly fitness classes such as dancing, boxing, yoga and cycling. Taking part in these activities has been a good way for me to take my mind off things at home as I have been lucky enough to make friends at these classes and to try new activities that I wouldn’t have been able to in Manchester. 

Acknowledging the Opportunities You Have

It is important to realise that homesickness is inevitable and is natural, but it is also important to take advantage of the opportunities you have. It is not worth spending all my time in the USA missing home when I know that I will miss my new friends upon my return to the UK. I know that my friends in Manchester will be waiting for me when I return home and that I need to make the most of the limited time I have at Stony Brook.