Top tips to help employees overcome the six-month homesickness slump

When employees go abroad to work for a period of time, it is not uncommon for them to feel homesick – a longing for the familiarity of home, wherever in the world that may be.

Many expats often report a six-month low; once the initial excitement and thrill of the new have worn off, it is normal to miss the comforts of home: friends and family, cultural norms, even the weather. This period can be particularly challenging at certain times of the year, such as summer, when the increased attention to family gatherings and traditional events back home can intensify homesickness. Studies on seasonal affective disorder [1](SAD) point out that different seasons can significantly affect mood and well-being, with summer often bringing with it a longing for missed family traditions and gatherings.

Homesickness is the emotional distress we all feel when we find ourselves in a new or unfamiliar environment away from home. It can make transitioning to a new culture difficult. Academic research has shown that homesickness has a negative impact on both non-native employees and the organizations they work in; with negative effects on individual well-being and workplace engagement.[i].

That’s why Samantha O’Donovan, Chief People Officer of AXA – Global Healthcare, uses her many years of experience in HR for global companies to explain how HR managers can help their employees get rid of these feelings, because homesickness is not a welcome guest on an international employee’s journey.

“First, we need to make it clear to employees that homesickness complete “It’s normal,” Samantha begins. “It’s possible to feel isolated when a once-in-a-lifetime experience becomes confusing and uncertain. So it’s perfectly normal to feel torn. I’d say it’s not a true expat experience without a certain amount of homesickness.”

“Many international internships are very competitive, so employees can feel pressure to enjoy and make the most of every moment. These emotions brought on by homesickness can even make them feel ungrateful for the opportunity they have worked for, so it is important for us to remind our international employees that it is nothing to be ashamed of.

“Below are some common causes of homesickness and my top tips for HR managers on how to help their expats overcome this feeling…”

Help your child establish a routine that feels familiar

“A new country brings with it a new culture of expectations in the workplace. In many Asian countries and in the Americas, working overtime is the norm, while many European countries have strict rules about signing off at the end of the working day.[ii]Some countries have a completely flat hierarchy model, while others have strict hierarchy structures in decision-making. It can be a shock for expats to learn a new way of working that they have never been familiar with before.

“One way to counteract this is to create familiarity. Encourage expat team members to maintain the habits they practiced at home. Did they usually go to the gym at home before work and could they do this again in their new location? Building routines based on the things they enjoyed at home can help expats reduce feelings of foreignness.

Help them find time to talk

“When expats work full time and start their workday five hours before everyone else they know at home, it can quickly become difficult for them to find time to talk and catch up with loved ones. This can increase feelings of loneliness when all you want to do is chat to someone from home, but everyone else is fast asleep while you’re working.

“Time differences can make it difficult to stay in touch, but it can be helpful to help employees establish a consistent schedule. This may mean understanding that in order for your employee to be happy and engaged, they need to take time out of their workday to call home. Recommend that they regularly reserve this time in their diary so they have something to look forward to. This scheduled time also means that expats don’t constantly feel pressure to call home, which could also increase feelings of homesickness.

Help them build a community

“It can be isolating to live in a new place and not have anyone to share fond memories or even everyday moments with, especially if there are language barriers in the new home. It can be difficult for expats to immerse themselves in a new culture and find their new social circle. This can feel even more difficult when working from home.

“In my experience, finding fellow expats who are in a similar situation can help expats tremendously to cope with homesickness. Even if they are not from the same country, connecting with people who have had the same experiences can overcome those feelings of isolation. Expat Facebook groups and co-working spaces are great examples of places where expats can meet like-minded people, so it’s useful to do your research and have a few recommendations ready.

“If you’re looking for other ways to connect, depending on how well you know people’s interests, you can also recommend a sports club, volunteer project or new hobby. Even better if this hobby is social and local, as this will help new expats find a community and better settle into their new surroundings. Expats can also network with other expat groups through their local embassy to build new relationships and connect with like-minded people.

“It’s important to remind expats that homesickness doesn’t last forever and a six-month low doesn’t mean your internship isn’t right for them. Feeling homesick is a normal part of starting a new life away from home. The best way we can help expats is to encourage them to recognise that what they’re doing is a brave and challenging experience, so take time to process these emotions and know that the uncertainty will eventually subside.”

Let them know they are not alone

“While these tips will help you support expats through their homesickness and overcome the six-month slump, managing mental health in the workplace should never be a task limited to individuals and their managers.

Organisations have a responsibility to support their employees who leave their home country to perform duties. They can do this through a combination of mindful company culture and peer support, proven human resource management and comprehensive health insurance to provide expert help when needed. Data from our recent Mind Health Report shows that 40% of non-locals want their company to offer an external counselling service or appoint an external specialist to bolster the mental health support available.

“Mental health issues and their causes, such as homesickness, are not an issue that can be swept under the carpet. By listening, communicating and taking the right actions, expats, their managers and their employers can work together to support and maintain good mental health around the world.”

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