Your first time traveling to another country for seasonal work is full of challenges and obstacles. Traveling, budgeting money, acclimating to a new country, and working for a new employer are all challenges that seasonal workers face in their first season or first couple of seasons. But one of the biggest challenges seldom discussed is homesickness. You’re bound to miss your family, your friends, and your home. It’s inevitable.

Our goal is to prepare candidates for all aspects of working in seasonal positions in other countries. Today’s blog discusses homesickness and offers some tips for dealing with missing your homeland, your way of life, and your family and loved ones.

Why homesickness feels stronger during your first season

You’re going to experience a range of feelings and emotions during your first season working abroad. From excitement to nervousness to anxiety and uncertainty, going to work in another country for the first time can take a toll on your emotions. The most successful candidates compartmentalize those emotions and focus on doing their job to the best of their abilities. Regardless, homesickness can feel stronger during your first season in America or while working abroad. A few reasons why homesickness feels stronger during your first season include:

You’re adapting to a new culture: The transition from South Africa to another country can be a lot to handle and leave you missing home more than usual.
First time away from home: Leaving South Africa for the first time to work in another country is different from taking a holiday or enjoying travel. Couple this with being away from friends and family, and homesickness can set in quickly.
Language and communication barriers: Small differences in the way other cultures and countries communicate take time to learn and can leave you missing your home, where everything is familiar and comfortable.
Feeling isolated in a new environment: Working abroad on a seasonal visa can be a lonely experience. Combine this with a new environment, new coworkers, and a new employer, and it’s easy to feel isolated and alone.

These are just a few common causes of homesickness in seasonal workers. But there are things you can do to curb the impacts of homesickness.

Here are a few tips for dealing with homesickness.

1. Create a routine right away

One of the best ways to combat homesickness is to create a routine in the early days of your seasonal contract and stick to it. The routine you create in your first season will stick with you into other contracts and seasons. Routines are also healthy for your mind and body, which in turn helps combat homesickness. Focus on consistency with aspects such as:

Sleep and wake times (easier said than done working in agriculture)
Work start times
Meal times
Practicing your faith and attending church (if you normally go to church on Sundays back home, keep that same routine)
Exercise and recreation

2. Use technology to stay connected (without living on your phone)

We live in a tech-driven world, and that makes staying in touch with friends, family, and loved ones easy regardless of where you’re located. Using various online tools such as FaceTime (from Facebook Messenger) or WhatsApp to stay connected with loved ones back home is one of the easiest and best ways to cure your homesickness. Schedule times to connect with your friends and family, even if it’s a quick 5-minute check-in to say hello. Use video-calling features so you can experience the human aspect of connecting with your loved ones and see each other’s faces. This is more important than most realize. Technology is a great tool for curbing homesickness. Take advantage of these free online tools for staying connected globally.

image of h2a worker using facetime to connect with loved ones for curing homesickness during h2a season

3. Make new friends

The last thing a first-time seasonal worker is focused on after arriving for their job is making new friends or meeting new people, but it’s a great way to acclimate to a new environment and curb homesickness. Chances are you’ll meet plenty of new people in shared housing and on the job. Don’t be afraid to connect with your fellow seasonal workers and enjoy some fellowship. Whether that’s attending church together or going out for something to eat, connecting with others and forging new relationships will help you acclimate to your new environment and avoid overwhelming homesickness.

4. Stay focused on your bigger goals

Always keep in mind that you’re away from home to work and create a better life for yourself and your family. Do not lose sight of that goal. In the moments when you’re really missing home, it’s tough to shift your thoughts back to your bigger, long-term goals and remember why you’re away from your family to begin with. Remind yourself why you’re there, why you’re working so hard, and focus on the difference the work opportunity will make in your life now and in the future.

Learn more about turning seasonal H2A jobs into a career path

5. Take care of your mental and physical health

We’ve seen workers get so homesick that they completely neglect their own physical and mental health. Neglecting your health only makes your homesickness worse. Instead, focus on caring for yourself by exercising when you can, even if it’s just going for a short walk at night, and staying mentally sharp by doing things like reading or continuing to practice your faith, if applicable. Don’t get so preoccupied with missing home that you neglect your mental and physical health.

Homesickness is normal and does not mean you are failing

In the end, it’s critical to remember that homesickness is a completely normal human feeling and it does not mean you’re failing or not cut out for seasonal work abroad. Utilize technology to stay connected, stick to a routine, and do your best to acclimate to your new work environment and the local culture.

image of h2a worker in america succeeding despite being homesick standing between two semis

Come for training so you’re prepared to succeed

Training ahead of time won’t help cure your homesickness, but it will prepare you to succeed on day one of your new job so you’re not overwhelmed with learning on the job, getting used to a new country with a new culture, working for a new employer, and overcoming feelings of missing home all at the same time.

Come for training. Get prepared for success. Reach your career goals.

Contact our team now or book a call online to find out more about our training courses and how USA Truck Labor can help you realize your dreams.

How to Handle Homesickness During Your First H2A Season and Beyond