Moving to the UAE can be exciting. It’s a country of ambition, opportunity, skyscrapers, and sunshine. But once the excitement fades and reality kicks in, many expats experience a quiet, aching feeling that’s hard to explain — homesickness.
Homesickness isn’t just missing your family or craving home-cooked food. It’s a mix of emotions — sadness, loneliness, disconnection, and even guilt. Whether you’re a student in Abu Dhabi, a new employee in Dubai, or a long-time resident in Sharjah, you’ve likely felt this at some point.
The good news? You’re not alone. Over 85% of the UAE’s population is made up of expats — and many of them deal with the emotional challenge of living far from home. Here’s how to understand homesickness and find ways to cope with it while living in the UAE.
What Homesickness Really Feels Like
Homesickness is more than just missing your country. It can feel like emotional discomfort, especially during quiet moments — holidays, birthdays, or even lonely nights. It hits hardest when you’re scrolling through photos of your family or watching videos of familiar places.
For many, it shows up in unexpected ways. You might feel unmotivated at work, avoid socializing, or cry randomly. You might even question why you came here in the first place.
Homesickness often includes a deep longing for comfort, familiarity, and connection — things that feel far away when you’re living in a different culture.
Why Homesickness Happens in the UAE
The UAE is a multicultural melting pot. With so many people from different backgrounds, languages, and values, it’s easy to feel like you don’t fully belong. The country moves fast — especially in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi — and you might feel pressure to keep up, succeed, and “be okay” all the time.
Add to that the time difference with your home country, the high cost of travel, and long work hours — and you’ve got the perfect recipe for emotional isolation.
Even though the UAE is known for its safety, luxury, and opportunity, it’s important to remember that emotional well-being doesn’t automatically follow material comfort.
Real People, Real Struggles
Fatima, a 28-year-old teacher from Egypt, says her first few months in Sharjah were overwhelming.
“I was excited at first, but then I started missing my mom’s cooking and my dad’s jokes. I’d cry quietly after work, not because anything was wrong — I just felt empty.”
James, a Filipino nurse in Abu Dhabi, shares a similar story.
“I missed my younger brother’s graduation. I watched it over Zoom, but it wasn’t the same. I felt like I was letting my family down.”
These stories are not rare. They’re common, and they’re a reminder that even the strongest people need emotional support.
The Stages of Homesickness
Understanding what you’re feeling can help you deal with it better. Psychologists say homesickness has several stages:
The Honeymoon Phase – You’re excited, curious, and thrilled about your new environment.
Culture Shock – Differences in language, work culture, or social norms begin to feel overwhelming.
Adjustment – You start adapting but still struggle with emotional ups and downs.
Acceptance – You find a rhythm, build a routine, and feel more connected to your life in the UAE.
Wherever you are in this journey, know that it’s okay. There’s no fixed timeline to adapt emotionally.
Signs You’re Experiencing Homesickness
Not everyone realizes they’re homesick. It can creep up quietly. Here are a few signs to look out for:
Feeling constantly sad or low
Losing interest in daily activities
Daydreaming about being back home
Avoiding social events
Getting easily irritated
Struggling to sleep or eat properly
If you relate to these, you’re likely homesick — and that’s completely normal.
How to Cope With Homesickness in the UAE
Build Your Support System
Make friends who feel like family. Whether it’s colleagues, flatmates, or community members — invest in relationships. Join social groups, attend events, or use apps like Meetup or Internations to connect with other expats. Even a few close connections can make a huge difference in how you feel.
Bring a Piece of Home With You
Decorate your space with photos, traditional items, or your favorite snacks from back home. These small things can create comfort. Cook dishes that remind you of family. Watch movies in your language. Celebrate your cultural festivals even if you’re far away. Home is not just a place — it’s a feeling.
Stay Connected — But With Boundaries
Regular calls and video chats with family help reduce emotional distance. But avoid spending all your time online. Too much focus on what’s happening back home can stop you from building a life here. Try to balance staying connected with being present.
Get Involved Locally
Explore the UAE. Go to weekend markets, cultural exhibitions, or desert trips. Volunteering is another great way to feel fulfilled. Giving back builds purpose — and purpose helps fight loneliness.
Focus on Your “Why”
Remember why you moved. Maybe it was for a better career, education, or to support your family. Remind yourself of your long-term goals. Write them down and review them often. Having a clear purpose makes emotional challenges easier to handle.
Create a Routine That Feels Familiar
Your body and mind love familiarity. Create a routine that feels similar to your life back home. Wake up at the same time, include habits you enjoyed before — like a morning chai, journaling, or evening walks.
Limit Social Media Scrolling
Scrolling through people having fun at home can trigger emotional FOMO (fear of missing out). Take breaks from Instagram or Facebook when it feels too much. Use that time to do something nourishing for your mind — like reading, meditating, or just resting.
Talk to a Therapist
Mental health is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. Many clinics in the UAE now offer online and in-person therapy. Some even offer support in different languages. Talking to a professional can help you process emotions and feel stronger emotionally.
What Employers and Universities Can Do
If you’re a company hiring expats or a university welcoming international students, it’s important to recognize the emotional journey of relocation. Creating emotional safety is just as important as providing housing or insurance.
Offer orientation programs, emotional support groups, mentorship programs, or flexible schedules during cultural holidays. A little empathy goes a long way.
You’re Not Weak — You’re Human
Feeling homesick doesn’t mean you’re not strong enough. It means you care deeply about where you come from. That emotional attachment is what makes you grounded — not broken.
Many people in the UAE appear successful on the outside but are silently dealing with emotional gaps. You’re not the only one struggling. Be kind to yourself. Healing takes time.
The UAE Can Be Home Too
With time, the UAE can start feeling like home. It doesn’t replace your original one — but it can become a second home where you create new memories, build new bonds, and grow emotionally.
Allow yourself to evolve. You don’t have to erase where you’re from to embrace where you are.
Final Words: You Will Be Okay
Homesickness is tough, but it’s not forever. Every day you wake up and show up is a small win. Every time you laugh, make a new friend, or try something new, you’re building emotional resilience.
Give yourself permission to feel. You’re allowed to miss your mom’s hugs and still enjoy your life here. You’re allowed to cry on a Thursday and dance on a Friday night. This experience will shape you — not break you.
The UAE is full of dreamers like you — each with a suitcase full of hope and a heart full of homesickness. And yet, day by day, they’re making it work. So will you.
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