Describe a time when you felt homesick or missed home

I'd like to talk about the first few months when I was studying in Poland, three years ago. It was the first time I'd lived outside my own country, and, although I was excited when I left, I started to feel homesick within a couple of weeks.

The feeling was strongest in the evenings. During the day, I was busy with classes and exploring the city, but when I came back to my small room in the dormitory, it was quiet and rather lonely. I missed my family's voices, the smell of my mother's cooking and even small things like the noise of the neighbours' children. I remember once being at a supermarket and seeing a packet of tea that looked like the one we have at home. I stood there for several minutes, with tears in my eyes.

To cope, I did a few things. First, I called my family on video every evening, which helped, although sometimes it made me miss them more. Then I looked for a Central Asian student group and found a few people who also came from my region. We started meeting for dinner, cooking plov together and sharing stories. I also made an effort to make friends from other countries, and joining a volleyball club helped with that.

Gradually, the feeling became weaker. By the end of the second month, the dormitory felt like a second home. I still missed my family, but I also felt stronger and more independent. The experience taught me that homesickness is natural, and that you can transform it into a chance to build a new community.