Overcoming homesickness in Ireland isn’t easy, but Student Ambassador Tan Jieru found comfort through video calls with family, celebrating festivals with friends, and engaging with the Malaysian community. These connections turned challenges into moments of belonging and made Ireland feel like home.
As international students, we need to ensure that we are “surviving”. This involves tasks such as buying groceries, cooking for ourselves, and working part-time while studying. However, the biggest challenge faced by all overseas students is dealing with homesickness. Here are my strategies for Malaysian students battling homesickness in Ireland.
Video Calling with Family I can say with certainty that making video calls to my family eases my homesickness. Hearing their voices not only makes me feel less homesick but also reduces my stress levels. To be precise, I have to manage everything on my own. Occasionally, when I feel my mental stamina waning, I’ll call my parents and, in their eyes, become their child again. I deeply appreciate how much technology has advanced, enabling us to maintain these kinds of meaningful connections.
Celebrating Local Festivals with Peers Another effective strategy for overcoming homesickness is celebrating local festivals with friends. Without a doubt, my friends are like my second family. For example, during festivals, we often organise potluck meals to gather and celebrate together. To feel more at home, most of us learn how to prepare Malaysian dishes. The food we make is clearly shown in the attached photos. I promise they taste amazing! My mouth is watering just thinking about them. In summary, I feel most at home when I am with my peers celebrating local festivals.
Connecting and Engaging with the Malaysian Community in Ireland To be honest, I felt quite lost when I first arrived in Ireland. During that time, I struggled with homesickness. Fortunately, I had joined the Malaysian community in Ireland before my arrival. Participating in their events, socialising, and making friends greatly helped me. For instance, events such as Deepavali celebrations, Lunar New Year festivities, and post-departure gatherings brought me a sense of belonging. I no longer feel alone, as there are many other Malaysians who support one another. Seniors have also shared valuable advice and insights based on their experiences. Connecting with the Malaysian community in Ireland has significantly reduced my anxiety and fear.
These strategies have made my journey as an international student more manageable and have helped me find a home away from home.
Jieru Tan is studying Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science at ATU via Education in Ireland.