For many students, the transition to university life can be overwhelming. For Samika Jain, a freshman from Mumbai, India, the experience has been marked by the unique challenges of living in a different time zone while trying to maintain connections with family back home. As she navigates her studies in Baltimore, the emotional weight of distance becomes evident, especially during significant moments like family celebrations.
Jain’s feelings of homesickness first hit her during a quiet evening in Baltimore. At 7 p.m., she received a simple text from her mother: a photo of her morning cup of chai, a comforting reminder of home. Despite the late hour in the U.S., it was only 5 a.m. in Mumbai. This time difference transformed her understanding of home from a physical place into a matter of hours. The emotional connection remains strong, even as she grapples with the reality of living in two worlds.
Embracing the Distance
Throughout her first semester, Jain found herself FaceTiming her father during the vibrant celebrations of Diwali. The call, however, was often interrupted by poor Wi-Fi, yet the sounds of celebration—neighbors chatting, firecrackers, and music—filled the air on the other end. In contrast, she experienced a cold fall night in Baltimore, highlighting the emotional gap created by distance.
Jain attempted to combat this disconnect by staying awake for calls and juggling her schedule to connect with friends online. She even kept two clocks on her desk, trying to bridge the gap between her life in Baltimore and her family’s life in Mumbai. Eventually, she realized that no amount of effort could allow her to inhabit both spaces simultaneously.
With each passing day, Jain learned to accept the complexities of her situation. The guilt of missing out on important family moments weighed heavily on her. She recalled a night when she fell asleep after studying, missing the chance to wish her sister good luck before an exam—a small but meaningful tradition that reinforced her role as an older sibling.
Finding a New Sense of Belonging
This journey through homesickness is not merely about longing for a place; it encompasses a yearning for shared moments that now elude her. Jain misses family dinners that occur while she is in class, and holidays that coincide with midterms, highlighting a disconnect in shared experiences. It also requires her to cultivate a sense of belonging in a new environment, where her college life unfolds while her family sleeps.
Living in this duality forces Jain to confront unfinished moments. She recognizes that there will be calls she misses, messages that go unanswered, and celebrations witnessed only through screens. Yet, she emphasizes the importance of forgiveness—both for herself and for her family members who are also navigating their own challenges.
As she walks back from Gilman Hall in the evenings, Jain often pauses outside AMR III to watch the sunset. She finds solace in knowing that the sky is painted in the same vibrant hues of orange that her parents see ten hours ahead. In these fleeting moments, the barriers of distance momentarily dissolve, allowing her to feel connected to home.
Ultimately, Jain’s journey reflects the broader experience of many international students adjusting to life away from home. While the challenges may be daunting, they also present opportunities for growth, resilience, and the forging of new connections. In learning to navigate this intricate web of time zones and emotions, Jain is discovering that being far away does not diminish her presence in the lives of those she loves.
