Home Sickness & Home Comforts

Western Comforts

Homesickness is very common when you move abroad. It’s a natural emotional response to big changes in your surroundings, routines, and support systems. All of us at Embark have felt it at some point, and still do especially at certain times of the year. I am British so most of the time when I feel homesick is during Christmas, especially when all my Irish and European family come and visit the UK, and when the weather changes. During Spring, when the weather gets warm enough, it is my DNA to want to go to a pub garden. However, especially because we are based in Seoul, there is a apparent lack of anything that could resemble a pub garden. However, drinking by the Han River or in Seoul Forest is always a good alternative. 

I think that finding your own community and building your own culture and traditions is important whether it is your first time living abroad or your tenth. As an example, Christimas is such an important time for a lot of nationalities and usually the while day is centred around Christmas dinner and the turkey. As one might expect, Korea doesn't sell turkey (only in Costco if you are lucky) so you would end up having to find an alternative. A lot of my friends take inspiration from Japan's tradition of eating KFC on Christmas Day and eat fried chicken. 


In a general sense, know that everyone feels homesick and it shouldn't be something you have to deal with alone. Talking to friends or family back home always helps me feel better and more grounded. However, if it is affecting your livelihood, mental health or demeanor, then it might be good to reach out to someone who is a professional to talk through your feelings. In this link, you can find some doctors who we have used personally who speak English and have a good understanding of living and working abroad: https://theworknplay.com/Blogs/Detail/Article/15856.

 

You can always reach out to your embassy if you need some support. You can see all the details for them here. 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some practical and emotional strategies that can help you deal with it:

 

1. Acknowledge your feelings

Don’t suppress homesickness or feel guilty about it, it’s part of adjusting. Recognize that missing people, food, and routines doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision; it means you value your connections.

 

2. Create a sense of familiarity

Bring small items from home such as photos, snacks, scents, or music to make your new space feel comforting. Recreate small routines like having your morning coffee the same way, taking weekend walks, or watching your favourite show in the evenings.

 

3. Build new connections

Join clubs, language exchanges, or community groups, even one or two regular social activities can make a big difference. Connect with other expats who understand the challenges, but also make an effort to meet locals to feel more rooted.

 

4. Stay connected with home (but not too connected)

Schedule regular calls or video chats rather than constant messaging,  it helps balance connection and independence. Share updates with family and friends, but also focus on building your own stories in your new country.

 

5. Explore your new environment

Treat your new home as an adventure: explore neighbourhoods, try local food, and learn bits of the language. Making discoveries helps replace the “unknown” feeling with curiosity and belonging.

 

6. Take care of your body and mind

Eat well, get enough sleep, and move regularly, emotional resilience is easier when your body feels good. Try mindfulness, journaling, or gratitude lists to reframe your thoughts and track small wins.

 

7. Give it time

Adjustment usually happens in phases: excitement, homesickness, adaptation, and comfort. It may take weeks or even months, but it does get easier as routines and relationships settle

 

However, if it does get too much and you need someone to talk through everything with, please seek out a therapist or trusted medical practitioner. We give some recommendations in our 'Hospitals & Doctors' post so feel free to have a look here. Remember everyone is or has been through the same feelings and thoughts you are going through, and it should never be embarrassing to reach out for help; your mental health should come first.

 

 

 

Restaurant & Café recommendations

American

Getting American food here is the easiest. There is Panda Express, Five Guys, Auntie Anne’s etc so here are some of the lesser known places that pride themselves on authentic American cuisine.

 

British

You will never be able to get proper British grub in Korea but here are some that try their best.

 

Irish

It is just pubs I’m afraid.

 

For general food, it is always worth looking at Coupang, iHerb or Amazon USA. 

- Amazon is trying to compete with Coupang, so you can get free shipping from the USA and most of the time they will pay for the customs tax.

 

Remember: if you are buying something abroad, you will need a Personal Customs Code (PCC). You can apply for one here. You do need your ARC for this.