EXPERIENCING UNIVERSITY LIFE AWAY FROM HOME: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON HOMESICKNESS IN OFF-SITE STUDENTS

Enrolling in university marks an important step toward adulthood, yet for students moving away from home, the experience can be daunting and challenging (Nghiem et al., 2021). Homesickness, a typical reaction to this separation, is frequently experienced by off-site students, particularly among younger individuals and particularly females, and can sometimes lead to negative effects like depression, loneliness, anger, and sleep problems (Biasi et al., 2018; Stroebe et al., 2015). Numerous studies have analyzed contextual, individual, and family factors linked to homesickness, usually through questionnaires. This study, however, aims to explore the psychological experiences of a group of off-site students, focusing on areas where they experience homesickness, using a narrative approach. A sample of forty-seven off-site students (33 female; average age 23; SD=2.6) completed a socio-demographic form and wrote a narrative text about their university experience. They focused on changes in their relationships with family and friends, their emotions, the difficulties they face away from home, and their academic and social lives. Through thematic analysis and Bruner’s self-indicators, results revealed that while physical distance does not sever ties with family and friends, students often struggle with adjusting to university life and to the new city without the support of these relationships. Their moods tend to be predominantly negative, with an associated fear of losing friendships due to distance and a feeling of missing out on shared daily experiences. Many students report a strong nostalgia for their "homeland" and feel overburdened by having to manage organizational responsibilities previously dealt with by their parents. Bruner’s social self-indicators appeared frequently in the narratives, with female students emphasizing the value of new friendships for adjustment, while male students highlighted the importance of family ties in relation to homesickness. The findings confirm existing research on homesickness in off-site students and shed light on the specific areas it affects, such as family, friendships, and life adjustment. They also suggest that the difficulties tied to the university transition are part of a broader shift toward adulthood. Although limited by sample size, the study contrasts with existing research in finding that female students in this sample tend to use social resources to adapt to the university environment.