By Emma Theron
As 2025 begins with an endless January and the prospect of the “good old days” looms on the horizon, we often forget how much we change in a year. This transformation is strikingly highlighted as students begin to decorate the Stellenbosch University campus, and the very idea of home undergoes a metamorphosis.
Homesickness is defined in the Oxford dictionary as “a feeling of longing for one’s home during a period of absence from it.” It may be the heavy feeling you get when missing your family, or your bed, or your pets, or that one comfort meal that feels like a warm hug. It might also be that subtle tug at the heartstrings when you wish an old friend could be here to share in a new adventure with you, because, cliché as it may sound, home really is where the heart is.
It’s inevitable that at some point, you’ll miss something about home, but homesickness doesn’t have to be entirely negative. There’s no shame in longing for the comfort and familiarity of the place you’ve left behind – it doesn’t diminish where you are now. You can be in the right place, living an exciting chapter of your life, while still wishing you could share this new experience with someone from home.
As WebMD notes, “It’s estimated that 50% to 75% of the general population have felt homesickness at least once in their life.” That means homesickness is a natural, common experience. However, the strange new symptoms that come with settling into Stellenbosch – whether it’s “Stelly-belly,” the first-year flu, or persistent allergies – are not side effects of homesickness. They’re just part of adjusting to a new environment.
So, how do we cope with these feelings? First, it’s essential to acknowledge that what you’re feeling is normal, and it’s okay to take time to adjust. Embrace your emotions without judgment and remember that it’s okay to feel homesick. Stay active and engage in university events that help you feel part of the community. But don’t mistake staying busy for healing. It’s just as important to allow yourself space to rest and process your feelings. Just don’t let the nostalgia pull you into inaction.
Take time to explore Stellenbosch and meet new people along the way – it’s a great way to discover that the town itself can become a home, too. And while you’re settling into this new chapter, keep in touch with the loved ones you miss. Let their voices remind you that it’s okay to miss home, but that this new place will gradually begin to feel like home too.
Remember, one day you’ll look around and realize that the mountains, the cozy coffee shops, and the new friends you’ve made will make Stellenbosch feel like your home too and feeling homesick will be a thing of the past.
Welcome to your new home away from home!
