Navigating the Journey: Support for International Students
Most People Think Homesickness Is the Biggest Challenge
When parents send their child to study abroad, one of their biggest worries is often homesickness.
Will they miss home?
Will they settle in?
Will they make friends?
These are understandable concerns. As a parent myself, I know how difficult it can be to watch your child travel across the world and start a new chapter away from family.
However, after supporting young people and international students, I've noticed something surprising.
The biggest challenge is often not homesickness.
It's overwhelm.
Understanding the Real Challenges
The Reality of Arriving in a New Country
Imagine arriving somewhere completely unfamiliar.
You don't know the routines.
You don't know the transport system.
You don't know what you're allowed to do or who to ask for help.
Even simple questions can feel overwhelming:
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What time is breakfast?
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Can I have a shower whenever I want?
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Where do I get a drink?
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What happens if I'm late?
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How do I get the bus?
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What do I do if I get lost?
Many students don't ask these questions because they're worried about getting something wrong.
Instead, they stay quiet.
They spend more time in their room.
They become hesitant and uncertain.
What looks like homesickness is often a young person trying to navigate a huge amount of change all at once.
Practical Support for International Students
Small Details Create a Sense of Safety
One thing I have learned is that small details matter far more than most people realise.
Before a student arrives, it can help enormously to show them where they will be staying.
A video call around the house.
Photos of their bedroom.
Knowing where the bathroom is.
Knowing that there will be Wi-Fi available.
Knowing they can access water when they need it.
Knowing what to expect when they arrive.
These details may seem small, but they remove uncertainty.
And when uncertainty decreases, confidence begins to grow.
Structure Helps Students Thrive
What are the early signs a student may be struggling?
In my experience, structure is one of the most effective ways to reduce anxiety.
Students often feel calmer when they know:
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What time is their flight?
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Who is collecting them?
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What to do if plans change.
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Who to contact in an emergency.
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What the first few days will look like.
I often encourage families to create simple visual plans before travel.
A step-by-step guide.
A timetable.
A journey plan.
Even using colours, symbols or emojis can make information easier to understand during stressful moments.
When young people know what comes next, they can focus on settling in rather than worrying.
Recognizing Subtle Indicators
The Early Signs a Student May Be Struggling
IMany people expect a student who is struggling to become emotional or openly upset.
Often the signs are much quieter.
I have noticed students may:
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Spend more time alone in their room.
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Become unusually quiet.
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Eat less.
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Avoid going out.
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Feel nervous about travelling independently.
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Look overwhelmed rather than distressed.
Sometimes they resemble what I describe as a "rabbit in headlights."
Not because they are incapable.
Because everything feels unfamiliar.
Supporting International Students
Building Independence Through Practical Tools
One of the biggest misconceptions about supporting international students is that we should do everything for them.
I believe the goal is the opposite.
The goal is to help young people build confidence in their own abilities.
Simple tools can make a huge difference:
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Learning how to use Google Maps.
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Understanding local transport.
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Setting reminders on their phone.
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Creating routines that support organisation.
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Knowing where to find information independently.
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Learning everyday household skills.
These small experiences help students realise something important:
"I can do this."
Confidence doesn't appear overnight.
It develops through repeated experiences of successfully managing challenges.
A Message to Parents
A Message to Parents
From one parent to another, I know how much courage it takes to send your child abroad.
You are placing enormous trust in other people and hoping your child will feel safe, supported and happy while building a life away from home.
For me, communication is one of the most important parts of that process. Parents need to know that someone is there. Someone who will notice if a student is struggling. Someone who will provide reassurance when needed and pick up the phone if there is a problem.
Most importantly, someone who genuinely cares.
Studying abroad can be one of the most life-changing experiences a young person will ever have. It develops resilience, confidence and independence.
The aim is not to remove every challenge. The aim is to create enough safety, structure and support that young people discover they are capable of far more than they realise.
While many parents worry about homesickness, I have found that uncertainty and overwhelm are often the bigger challenges. When young people know what to expect, where to go, who to ask and how to manage everyday situations, confidence begins to grow.
With the right support, studying abroad becomes more than an educational opportunity. It becomes a chance for young people to build lifelong skills, resilience and independence that will stay with them long after they return home.
Final Thoughts
Homesickness in international students is real.
But in my experience, the bigger challenge is often overwhelm.
When students understand what to expect, know where to go, have practical tools available and feel supported without being judged, something remarkable happens.
They stop focusing on what might go wrong.
And they begin building a life that feels like their own.
The Role of Communication, Safety, and Trust
When everything feels overwhelming, focus on the next 1%. Day by day. Hour by hour.
Becky Stone
About Becky
I’m Becky, the founder of Home From Home Canterbury, a qualified counsellor, and a mum.
My background in counselling has given me a deep understanding of how young people cope with change, uncertainty and being away from the people and places that feel familiar. Through my work, I’ve seen how confidence grows when young people feel safe, understood and supported without judgement.
At Home From Home Canterbury, I believe that supporting international students is about much more than providing accommodation. It’s about creating an environment where students feel welcome, settled and able to thrive. Small things matter – clear communication, familiar routines, practical guidance and knowing there is someone available when questions arise.
My aim is to help students develop confidence, resilience and independence while giving parents peace of mind that their child is being cared for in a safe and supportive environment.
Whether a student is arriving in the UK for the first time or settling into a new school year, my focus is always the same: helping young people feel at home while they build the skills and confidence to flourish independently.
Helping Your Child Feel Safe, Settled and Supported
Whether your child is preparing to study in the UK for the first time or returning for another school year, the right support can make all the difference.
At Home From Home Canterbury, I focus on creating a safe, welcoming environment where young people can build confidence, develop independence and feel at home while they are away from their families.