Beating the post-Erasmus blues
Published by Lucy Walker | 6 years ago
All good things must come to an end, and as you head back home for the summer after your Erasmus stay, watch out for those post-Erasmus blues…
The time has come to say goodbye to your Erasmus city and friends, and whilst your friends, your family, and your mother’s cooking are surely beckoning, you can’t help but feel a little sad that it’s all over. It might feel like there is a gap in your life that was once filled with all things new, exciting and different. To help you through this emotional rollercoaster, we’re sharing our best tips to overcome the dreaded post-Erasmus blues and help you settle in back home.
1. Share your memories with your friends and family at home
Your friends at home will be dying to hear what you’ve been up to, but remember that they may feel a little left out from the experience if they didn’t go abroad. Starting every sentence with “When I was in the UK…” or making too many comparisons between life here and there can make them feel like they missed out, so be sure to catch up on everything that happened at home, too. Everyone has a different experience abroad, so find out about the other destinations your classmates visited, and remember, it’s not a competition, you can tell them about the highs and the lows.
2. Stay in touch with your housemates and friends in different countries
Liking someone’s photo on Facebook doesn’t count as staying in touch; plan a video call, send a postcard, create a Whatsapp group to share news, visit each other as soon as you can - you’ll be glad you did. They’re in the same boat as you, and may be the only people who can really understand how you’re feeling just after Erasmus!
3. Treat your town like a new city and get involved in the international community at your university
Do you remember how nervous you felt when you first arrived in your Erasmus city? Why not get involved with the new incoming Erasmus students, help them with orientation, and make it your mission to visit places you’ve never been before? Coming back to your university city is the perfect opportunity to discover it again from a new angle, and who knows, you might fall in love with the town all over again, and make more international friends at the same time.
4. Set up a language exchange
If you don’t use it, you lose it, so find some friends who are here to learn your language and set up a weekly conversation session to practise your English and help others.
5. Plan your next trip
Once you’re back, you’re hit with a heavy workload, and studies can get on top of you. To give you some motivation, make the time with your friends and ex-housemates to plan a reunion. Many european cities have easy connections and cheap flights, so you could all meet in the middle. Or why not arrange to meet in the city where you met and relive those Erasmus days?
6. Remember what you have learnt, not what you have lost
It’s so easy to focus on the empty space in your life that was filled with all things Erasmus. The parties, the people, the language, the food (!) and the general fast-pace life. This will only make you feel sad, however, so instead, make sure you’re remembering what you have gained: the independence, the memories, the lasting friendships, the transferable language skills, the ability to cope under pressure, and the international network you’re now part of. And maybe now, you’ll never say no to your mother’s cooking :)