<p>My D started an intensive college program on Tuesday. Last night I recieved a call from her and quickly diagnosed a severe case of homesickness! Has anyone dealt with this? I could really use some wisdom right now.</p>
<p>Don’t use the word “homesickness” when you talk with her – that makes it sound like something that can only be “cured” by going home.</p>
<p>Rather, I suggest calling it the “adjustment period.” There’s an overwhelming amount of newness in your daughter’s life right now, and it’s too soon for her to have found the comfort of routine or familiar people.</p>
<p>Calling it an adjustment period rather than homesickness is not a lie. Homesickness, in my opinion, is mostly a matter of missing the familiar. Once college becomes familiar, your daughter may well prefer it to home. (Both of my kids reached that stage within a semester.)</p>
<p>Your daughter’s “disease” does have a cure – time. And in the meantime, getting as involved in her program as possible may help, both by speeding the adjustment period and giving her less time to brood.</p>
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<p>Yeah. It lasted about 5 days.</p>
<p>We’re looking forward to your “She never calls, she never writes …” thread in a couple weeks.</p>
<p>Great advice. I believe me, I am looking forward to my next thread! She is really worried about how the “adjustment period” is going to impact her performance. She is in a program that covers 1 year of language in 8 weeks. She has the ability…but the feelings are getting in the way of her concentration. </p>
<p>The group she is in is small and very competitive. Three of the five girls in the program have a lot in common. I know the program is extremely difficult…they call it boot camp. But I think the lack of connection with the other girls and the unfamiliar territory has really shook her confidence. I’m not use to tears from her. So unlike her. She is says she feels so silly feeling this way.</p>
<p>I suggested that she focus on the positive, no matter how small the positive may feel right now. I also told her I had the same experience and it did get better. Any other words of wisdom would be appreciated. My heart hurts.</p>
<p>There are probably some advisory or counseling services available on campus, even though it is summer. The person who is in charge of the residential unit where she lives (the RA or equivalent) could probably aim her in the right direction.</p>
<p>If she needs to talk to someone about her concerns, in English, this might be the best place to go. Speaking with the people in charge of the intensive language program might be more difficult if the rules require her to speak in the target language at all times.</p>
<p>I think the whole point of these programs is that the students are not allowed to speak/write/etc. in English for the duration of the program. I bet this adds to the homesickness…</p>