Connecting with home while travelling

Written by Anne - Laure Guillaumat

You might have noticed that the football world cup just ended. Even if I dislike this sport in general, I surprised myself by wanting to watch the game. My country was playing, and I was far away from home. We all sat down in Phanganist's lounge area, ready to cheer. I was the only one rooting for France, but I'm not blaming anyone. Croatia did amazing and I understand why people wanted to see the underdog win such an important event. I even would have been happy for them! But still. It felt weirldy important for me to support France. And it got me thinking.
When you're travelling for a long time, it's crucial to reconnect with your roots regularly. To water yourself with small pieces of your culture. It helps reducing the home sickness that sometimes takes a hold of you for a day or two. So. How can you connect with home while travelling?

1 – Sport

It brings such a sense of community that it gives you a direct connexion to the heart of your country. Weither it's by sharing it with your friends through social media, or by going to a bar and meeting fellow travellers from your country, it's an amazing way to feel more at home. There's nothing like cheering for your team and sharing your excitement. Remembering that you're proud of your country and your people. And bragging a little bit when you become World Champion. 

2 – Food 

What a better way to connect with your culture than through the stomach? Discovering new dishes is always an amazing part of your travelling experience, especially in Thailand, but sometimes you really need a good smelly cheese with a slice of dry sausage. Or whatever you eat back home. It can be hard and pricy to find what you're looking for, but look around. Koh Phangan is a very diverse island. You might be surprised and find a restaurant with the perfect cassoulet.

3 – Speaking your language

Speaking English is important to survive abroad, but it can be tiring and sometimes you just want to parler français for a few minutes. It helps a lot to connect with your home country when you call and finally, you can talk about your most recent adventures around the island with your family and friends, in your own language.

4 – Meeting fellow countrymen

When I'm walking on the street and I hear people speaking French, I always turn around and go through this awkward moment where I want to run to them and start talking. No matter who they are. A family with kids, teenagers, people my age, roosters. When you live abroad, the culture shock can be important, and there is nothing like sitting down with fellow countrymen, compare everything, talk about how much we miss cheese and oh god, delicatessen (that's a constant).

Was that too French oriented? Appologies. Maybe this article was my fifth way of reconnecting with home!