学进去

Nowadays, people often go to another county to study or to work. Many find it difficult to adapt (适应), though. According to the research, up to 70% of adults experience homesickness (思乡之情) at some point in their daily life.

Almost anything can cause homesickness—a smell, a taste, even a color can remind them of home. Mohammed Barakat sent us a message on Facebook about his longing for “the smell of rain and green” during the Sudanese rainy season. Mari Damian misses “the smell of Christmas cakes”. “I feel a bit sad today because I am homesick. I miss the delicious plates of spaghetti (意大利面) with a special sauce my mother used to make. She is a great cook. But I work abroad and I have to deal with this kind of felling,” said a young man.

According to Dr. Susan Matt, who wrote a book about the subject, people used to see it as a dangerous disease. The ancient Greek poem Homer’s Odyssey talked about it. But the modern term (术语) was created in the 17th century to describe the feelings of Swiss soldiers, who longed for their homeland wind fighting elsewhere in Europe. They suffered great depression.

Modern technology can limit this feeling, allowing people to keep in touch with loved ones easily. Skype is a lifeline, because it can allow grandparents far away to watch their grandchildren grow up. People should not allow homesickness to stop them living in the present. I follow advice given by Dr. Wood: I write down three new things that I’ve been grateful for every night, as well as three things I’m looking forward to most every morning.

What about you? Have you experienced homesickness? What do you miss when you’re away from your home and family?