<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I'm an international student from Switzerland who wants to go to college in the US. I really love America and it's kind of my dream to go to college there, I like basically everything there including the college culture, campuses, social life and the cities. My only concern is that I would be at least 8 hours away from home by plane and that I'm a bit concerned about how big of an issue that could turn out to be. On one hand, I'm really close to my parents and I really love them and living so far away from them is worrying. On the other hand, I'm very independant, I love new challenges and I'm confident I can manage on my own wherever I go, that's not the problem. It's more of a sentimental one of missing my parents too much. </p>
<p>How I see this now is that it'll probably be tough for a few weeks/months at the start but that I'll get used to being away when I get used to my new life and make new friends. And I mean there is still Skype to communicate and I'll be home during the holidays anyway. So I think I'd be fine but I can't stop from worrying anyway... </p>
<p>If anyone has been through the same kind of situation, could you please tell tell me how you dealt with it/how difficult it was?</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>Im not even close to my parents and im about 32 hour drive from them and it is terrible. I am so homesick and am transferring back home next year. Some people can succeed without the support system but I really cant and I am in deep depression and my grades are terrible. You won’t really expect it so you will probably still come but you will know exactly what I am talkiing about. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, if you are going to come here, go to a BIG campus or a city.</p>
<p>I just wanted to put my two cents to give you can have a different perspective than the above post. I went away from home to college, not as far as you but far enough that I only went home during winter break and a couple of weeks over the summer. I missed home every once in a while (usually when I was sick and wanted someone to cook for me =D), but certainly not the extent that the poster above felt homesick. I still talked to my family and my friends from back home, but I had always been fairly adaptable so it wasn’t too dramatic of a change. I graduated I’ve known several students who were international and lived with a couple, and they all seemed to adapt well. I think studying abroad attracts a certain type of independent student, and if you’re confident in your abilities, then it’ll all work out fine.</p>
<p>I think the key is to get involved. Meet new people, make new friends, try new things. Keeping busy and incorporating yourself into the school can really help to stave off homesickness.</p>
<p>Haha I’m from California, went to a tiny LAC in Georgia and dated a Chinese guy whose nearest relative lived in Michigan. The only times either of us felt homesick were in the week leading up to Winter Break (a 3 week to one month break American college students get between December and January), and Summer Vacation. However, my ex did have some cultural adjustment issues but that’s to be expected for anyone that spent their entire life in a completely different culture. </p>