Birmingham is a city in the United Kingdom that played a key role in the industrial revolution in history. This city is famous for many other aspects also one of which is higher education at the University of Birmingham, the 80th-ranked university in the world as per QS. Birmingham has five universities and many colleges. All these universities as well as colleges not only host local and national students but also a wide range of international students.
The five universities in which you, as an international student, can get a higher education are:
- University of Birmingham
- Birmingham City University
- Aston University
- Newman University
- University College Birmingham
After you start living in Birmingham, you may face many challenges, one of which is homesickness. But this is not such a problem that is difficult or impossible to beat. There are some homesickness tips following which you can beat this problem easily, which you can read below.
1. Join Student Clubs and Societies
Birmingham has an excellent student life, and here you can find various student clubs and societies of your interest. You can find many such clubs and societies in university, among which you can choose to join. These societies and clubs are based on subjects, ethnicities, hobbies, etc. Some instances of such clubs and societies are the Astronomical Society, Civil Engineering Society, Computer Science Society, Games Development, Global Engineering Brigades, Games Development, and more. You can find the aforementioned clubs/societies at the University of Birmingham, and similarly, you can find societies at other universities too.
Joining these student clubs and societies is one of the best ways to cope with homesickness. After joining them, you meet new people and get involved in different activities outside your home so you can get rid of homesickness completely.
2. Make Video Calls to Your Family and Friends
Talking to your loved ones is one of the best ways to cope with homesickness. International students in Birmingham can talk to their families, such as parents, grandparents, siblings, etc., and old friends in their native place to feel at home. Feeling at home is a great way to avoid homesickness. In this era of advanced technologies, you can also make video calls to your family and friends. Through video calls, you talk to them face to face, so you feel as if they are with you. Therefore, video calls are the most advised mode of talking to your loved ones.
3. Find and Enjoy Comfort Foods
Enjoying comfort food can also reduce homesickness to some extent; however, it is not a permanent cure. Soups, noodles, popcorn, etc. are some of the comfort foods that you can enjoy to divert your attention from homesickness.
4. Make New Friends in Your Institute and Housing Complex
Making new friends and involving them in different activities are great ways to get rid of homesickness. After joining your university or college, you will find many of your peers whom you can befriend. Besides, you can get ample opportunities to make new friends in student apartments in Birmingham. If you are living in a shared room or apartment, then you can start from there. Besides, if your apartment is in a student housing complex, then you can get a campus-like environment there and get many chances to find new friends. There are common areas in many student housing complexes, plus social events are also organized in many of them.
5. Attend Events and Activities on Campus and Housing Complex
Needless to mention, universities and colleges organize various activities and events. Attending these events on campuses is undoubtedly a great strategy to cope with homesickness. These events provide you with great fun and give you chances to meet new people. Similarly, you can attend the social events that may be organized in your student housing complex from time to time. If you have rented a house in a residential complex, then you can attend the activities organized in that area.
6. Visit Tourist Destinations in Birmingham
Birmingham is also a great place for tourists without a second thought. During your weekends or other spare time, you can also visit the tourist destinations of Birmingham, which can unquestionably be proven to be great to avoid homesickness. It will enhance your knowledge, provide you with fun, and if you are visiting there with friends, will give you time to spend some time with your friends. Below, you can read the names of some popular tourist destinations in Birmingham that you can visit.
- Victoria Square & the City Center
- The Roundhouse & Gas Street Basin
- Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- Birmingham Science Museum
- National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
- Jewellery Quarter
- St. Philip’s Cathedral (here, you can enjoy a concert also)
- Barber Institute of Fine Arts
- NEC & Resorts World Birmingham
- Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
- Cadbury World, Bournville
- Black Country Living Museum, Dudley
In conclusion, beating homesickness in Birmingham is achievable through joining student clubs, making video calls, enjoying comfort foods, making new friends, attending events, and exploring the city’s attractions. These strategies help create a fulfilling experience, making Birmingham feel like home and enriching your academic journey.
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