Moving to a new country can be a very exciting time full of new adventures. But what do you do when you start feeling homesick or experience sad moments? Not every moment living away from home will be happy, but here are some tips that will help you stay positive when you need it the most.
Honestly, moving to Australia has been the most exciting time of my life and I arrived with a positive mood. From the time when I left the airport everything was perfect: welcoming weather and friendly people – I just fell in love with this city – Brisbane. I took a thousand pictures whenever I visited a new place, tried different food and new things I could touch. Everything was perfect, from my house to university.
Wherever I go, I take a picture- Gold Coast Beach
But, what happens when you start missing your country, feel homesick and a little sad because you are not going great in your studies? This all was happening to me, I was feeling tired working and studying and I was also keeping all my feelings to myself – I started to feel lonely by living in a different place to where I was born.
“I started to feel lonely”
So how did I handle it? I can not deny I felt like I was about to give up, however when I looked back at all my photos I took before I remembered all the great things I have experienced. After that, I decided to change my priorities. I now spend 5 days a week studying and going to as many GELI activities as I can, and the last two days I am enjoying my part-time job. My new focus is being happy and getting a student award.
Here are some tips of what you can do to stay always positive:
- I look back at your photographs. They will remind you of your happy memories and friends around you
- Manage time for study, work and doing some activities
- If you have a problem, share your feelings with someone you trust
- Make friends and always stay positive
- Smile 😀 – This is the key to happiness
Volunteer for Color Run 2016- Brisbane
I now always remind myself that I am here – in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Everybody faces some bad days but being happy is not hard work. You only live once so do not waste your time to stay in your routine life. Don’t be shy to shine and be yourself.
I won the GELI Excellence Award and $1,000 AUD!
– Ahn (Nana) Tran,
Vietnamese guest blogger current GELI student
Ahn Nana Tran, Vietnam
About Nana: Hi, my name is Nana and I’m from Vietnam. I love to smile, read books and listen to music. I don’t have a favourite author or singer, I just enjoy the way I feel when I’m doing the things I love. My other hobbies include traveling, trying new food, taking pictures, writing and cooking. Being an international student enjoying my time in Australia, sharing my own experience and being happy makes me feel blessed.
