Anyone else here just homesick?

[BackAgain 12]

I think it's a mix of missing what is familiar to us, feeling a little lonely and disconnected and missing family and friends. At least that is how I feel. My GF is German and I am American. We moved back here from Califnoria almost three months ago. We are living in a somewhat of an isolated/rural area. She even feels a little out of sorts having lived in the US with me for about 7 years. But, I am determined to make it work and I can always go home and visit family and friends. Hopefully we will be moving to a more diverse area. Hang in there, it will get better.

[Jerry557 5]

Understand the deal. Been with my German GF for 3yrs, keep a little apartment for privacy down from her house, and travel back to California every 2-3 months. By the time the return flight rolls around I can't wait to see my friends and family.

 

Trouble is, when I land and look around it looks really bad, and soon I can't wait to get back here where things are clean and green and the people have zero attitude.

 

Believe I'm getting more into the life here, and moving away from the US fantasy that still comes up. We've traveled throughout the UK, Greece, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, France, and Spain...very easy to get around here, and the adventures make the life interesting.

 

Even thinking now about buying a little lakefront house not far from here.

 

Get a little nuts hearing German all the time, glad I found this site today.

[Kay 4,137]

Welcome to Toytown.

[AncientBrit 1,934]

Lesley Garner advises one reader on how to overcome her feelings of homesickness

[chasca23 6]

Just wanted to add my two cents, (haven't lost that in this culture!) lol I have been here for 4 years, 4 months and 23 days. Not that I'm counting! And I've never gone home, to the US. I can't for several reasons, financial and canine. So, if anyone could be homesick, I could be. First of all, I don't get "homesick", I get "culture" sick. I have lived in some really bad places in the US and I wouldn't go back if you paid me all the money in the world. But, I do miss the friendly, polite, way people have about them in every day matters, like NOT running their cart into the backs of your legs for 10 minutes while they impatiently try to get through the line at the grocery store.

Here's my theory and motto in life, "YOu have to make it work." So, no matter where you live in the world, it will never be perfect. But, you have to make it work for you by finding people, regardless of nationality, that have the same values and principles and tastes as you. Then, there is not much difference from being "home" and being "here." You have to find your "motherly" figure to give you a hug when you need it, and your "fatherly" figure to give you good advice and yes, some "sisterly and brotherly" people as well. Of course, all these people on this forum who refuse to learn German or any other language other than English, are definitely missing out. Even if you can speak limited German, you open up your world to tremendous possibilities of finding the people that are like "home".

Of course, my final recommendation to beat "homesickness" is to have the tv channels from "home" and the internet set up at your house, and a good international calling rate, or a webcam and Skype. Plus, all your favorite music from home to listen to on those days when it doesn't stop raining/sleeting. Books in your own language help too.

And get involved in as many activities as you can, regardless of language, that you liked at home: sports, dancing, travelling, book clubs, etc.

If you do that, like I have, then you are at "home" no matter where you are in the world.

Good luck beating the blues!

[zemonkey 445]

Some people are not made to live abroad and if you can recognize this then consider that a move will be a passing experience and try to get the most of it. If you can't throw yourself into the adventure full-hearted, perhaps part of it will be good. Visualize the end of the pain and make plans to resolve it; either it is a passing thing or a push to go home. Why wait for it to get worse?

 

Personally, as the n'th generation of an immigrant's son, I haven't really got a home to be homesick about. There is usually a point when I'm ready to move on, but my family happily creates some roots. And I'm easy, I usually love where I am.

[veronasteve 3]

 

I went through homesick phases when I first came here. Now I couldn't see my self living anywhere else.

yes but your from liverpool(sorry cheap shot) :o

[Carl46 195]

No, I can't say that I am too homesick. However, I miss not be able to go to the grocery store (Giant of Safeway) on Sundays and watching the NFL from my own living room/basement.

[Wolf 20]

Why don't you all descend onto the center of the universe, i.e., Mülheim an der Ruhr, where you can meet English-speakers of all nationalities? ... and there's an international English-speaking Club as well - The Social Club Muelheim a.d. Ruhr. That's the place for you to get a gentle pat on the head when you're feeling homesick ... (a slight exaggeration has been included in this message - I do admit ...).

[gonzoryan 0]

It is a proven fact that as humans we try to remember the good things ie adults always remember that as children the summers were alot warmer and sunnier than they are now. The real fact is that it may have rained every day apart from one week but that one week is what one remembers. Same can be said when we leave home we remember the good things about home but the chance is that within any given year one will have missed out on nothing of major importance. The same mundane aspects of life will have passed as normal whereas when you are living someplace new you have a new experience every day.

[aspiadas 393]

 

yes but your from liverpool(sorry cheap shot)

Yes cheap shot indeed Anyway if I were to live back in the UK then Liverpool would be my first choice :D

[chasca23 6]

But the question is, would they want YOU? Or is it one of those towns where everyone is second cousins? Isn't that how life goes on those small island nations? ...

[aspiadas 393]

I believe you are confusing this with the USA hun! :lol:

[aspiadas 393]

 

Just wanted to add my two cents, (haven't lost that in this culture!)

Well thats much more than your comments are worth Chasca so don't flatter youself.

 

 

Of course, all these people on this forum who refuse to learn German or any other language other than English, are definitely missing out. Even if you can speak limited German, you open up your world to tremendous possibilities of finding the people that are like "home".

Of course, my final recommendation to beat "homesickness" is to have the tv channels from "home" and the internet set up at your house, and a good international calling rate, or a webcam and Skype. Plus, all your favorite music from home to listen to on those days when it doesn't stop raining/sleeting. Books in your own language help too.

Yeah right because watching TV channels from Home and reading books in your own language is a really good way to integrate and learn German.

[adamhb 0]

Hey there

 

I'm actually from oz but can relate to the homesick thing. I was wondering how can you get the tv shows from the states/uk/oz? I tried to get them from the internet and going to the various tv broadcastor sites to pay for them but it wouldn't allow me as it said I wasn't able to from my present location (i.e. Germany).

 

thanks in advance!

 

Adam

[Katrina 4,522]

The TV & Telecoms section has loads of threads on getting TV shows or sat TV installation.

Also check youtube, as some use that to host shows (e.g. Biggest Loser Australia - the last show had a totally evil eviction) or for other Antipodean TV diwana is apparently a good choice, but I wouldn't know anything about it, especially if the Law is reading this. Nothing at all. Especially about Underbelly 2. Or any rugby. Definitely not looking at any of that.

[eviz 78]

At least for UK tv, paying a modest fee to use a proxy server in the UK for access to lots of telly including live 6 nations rugby coverage is another quick and easy solution that probably shouldn't be recommended :ph34r:

[rahusa67 10]

Adamhb --- check out www.surfthechannel.com. If you have questions PM me

[Expaticus 752]

After refusing to do so for many years, I had UK FTA satellite TV installed last year; despite my not actually being from the UK, it (and the OFDC, and a tough of global financial crisis schadenfreude) has cured much of my homesickness.

[adamhb 0]

thanks to all the suggestions for the English language tv.

 

The authorities that be make it very difficicult to do things legitimately don't they! And then they wonder why there's so much piracy ;)