The Sure-Cure for Homesickness

There comes a time in every exchange student's year when their days start to feel longer, their friends back home start to feel like more of a memory, and they begin to question that perhaps they are doing something wrong. I've had my fair share of these days, especially recently, as the original "pizzazz" of exchange has worn off. Through talking to my other exchange friends, I have discovered that a lot of us are in a similar position. We (of course) are very content in Chile, and have no intention of going home, but at the same time we can't help but wonder what we are missing. Sometimes, it is easy to get so caught up in thinking about what we are missing at home, that we start to become blind to all the beauty right in front of us.

Thus, I have discovered the absolute cure (or at least an effective way to suppress) homesickness or sadness. Drumrole please... Photography! And no, that doesn't mean you need to go out and buy an incredibly expensive camera, download editing programs, or rent out a darkroom. All you need is a camera on your cell phone or disposable camera, and you are ready to go! In the end, it doesn't matter how beautiful the photo turns out. Going around your neighborhood or town with the intention of taking photos will encourage you to pay much closer attention to the small and unique details that you would've otherwise missed. I find photography extremely therapeutic and it always cheers me up to just get out of the house and walk around.

When I go out, I like to focus on one thing that I wouldn't be able to find in my home town. For example, as it is Spring here in Chile right now, I like to take photos of all the bright and tropical flowers. It is also incredible to just go to a heavily-populated part of the city and take photos of the locals as they go throughout their day. It is eye-opening, entertaining, and a great way to spend a few hours.

Whether you're an exchange student, a college student, or just someone who is feeling a little blue, photography can be a great pick-me-up. You can go out shooting with your friends, or alone with your thoughts. Either way, you are guarenteed to feel a little bit better after taking some time to slow down and enjoy the little beauties of the enchanting life that surrounds you.

Enjoy some of my photos from my most recent walk around my neighborhood!