Studying in another country means having to say goodbye to family and friends for a little while. You can still keep in touch using Facebook, Skype, texting, and other social media, but it doesn’t end up feeling the same as being around that person. My sister’s birthday had recently passed and I couldn’t see her because I’m studying abroad while she’s in Maryland going through her freshman year of college.
I hadn’t expected to feel sad or homesick while I was up here because I’ve had no problem going to different places for any amount of time. Being abroad eventually makes you remember what you miss most about where you came from.
The language barrier is an easy reminder that you’re away from home. There are plenty of anglophones in Montreal, but some places are inaccessible unless you know french. I’ve gone into a number of restaurants and have had some situations where I’ve gotten the wrong thing because there was miscommunication between languages. After pantomiming for a minute in a Tim Horton’s I started to miss the ease of going into a Dunkin Donuts to get a Boston cream doughnut. I’ve even begun to miss the traffic system back in the states. A simple switch from red to green meant you could walk. That’s the principle up here but there are subtle differences. One side of the street will have a red light while the other half still has a green with traffic going through. You have to pay attention to the hand and walking man lights to truly know when you have the right of way. The huge emphasis on independently owned stores in Montreal is very cool and keeps a sense of identity in the city, but I won’t say I don’t miss Walmart. All the small things you never notice may become fully apparent after staying abroad for a while. I used to not understand the homesick feeling because I never had it. Missing my sister’s birthday, being away from my family, and my country has given me a new perspective. It makes me understand and feel more empathy towards those that get homesick. I recommend going back to the states for the weekend after a month or two of studying in Montreal to see friends, family, and familiar places. Familiar places can make us feel safe and comfortable, but after a while they become stale and boring.
If you’re someone that gets homesick easily, I still highly recommend studying abroad! Living in another country is an exciting adventure. All the beautiful art around Montreal is enough to make a huge photo album. Try hunting down every public art piece in a 5 block radius if you dare. The varieties of restaurants you can see and quality of food is amazing. There is at least one restaurant on every block. The connections you make up here as a gaming major are infinitely valuable. If you’re not sure whether or not to go, the industry connections and studio visits should be your main factor. While you’re up in Montreal you will also participate in plenty of fun activities such as picnics and pumpkin carving! And if you are really missing the ole U.S. of A it’s only a short bus ride away. Later in life you can pick one place and stay there. Make sure to explore as much as you can before then.
– Carlos Guitierrez, Game Design Major, Official Blogger, Fall 2013