New York City is busy, buzzing and at times isolating. Especially if you come from a small town, it can seem like a challenge to feel at home during your internship. But there are plenty of things you can do to make yourself feel more at home in the city; you just have to be proactive and indulge in a little me time.

Find a place of solace

One of the main reasons behind feeling homesick when you’ve started a new internship in NYC is how busy and overwhelming life may feel. This could happen in any city and it’s simply due to starting something new out of your comfort zone. At the beginning of an internship in particular, you’ll likely be living and working with brand new people on unfamiliar tasks. But just going for a walk out of your office at lunch time or from your home in the mornings or evenings can allow you to find a place of solace. 

Whether that’s a peaceful garden you discover by wandering the streets, such as the Ford Foundation Building or a particular bench in Bryant Park is up to you. Even something as simple as going to a multinational company which you recognise from home can remind you of home through the similar interior. Or why not chat to the barista at your local coffee shop to make those coffee breaks just that extra bit familiar and friendly? The place you choose to be your hideaway is particular to you.

Keep in contact with friends and family members

Although people often talk about “making it on your own,” the truth is that the people who are most adjusted away from home are still in contact with friends and family members. This doesn’t mean you have to speak to people from college or your hometown every day, it just means you shouldn’t deny the need to speak to familiar people to get you through the new experience of your New York City internship.

Talking to people who already know you, your situation and your background can instantly make you feel at home, even if they aren’t physically in front of you. A quick chat with an old friend or a family member can be the pick me up you need during a long, draining week of meeting new people.

Do things that remind you of home

The little things can make a huge impact on your mood. Take the time after your internship to relax, which can mean exploring New York or watching the same old Netflix show you always used to watch at home to remind you that nothing has really changed. Head to your local grocery store and buy the food you normally eat with your family and suddenly everything will feel much easier to digest.

Make an effort to make new friends

Making new friends is one of the best ways to feel at home during your internship. If you open your mind to meeting new people, you’ll be surprised how easily and deeply you can connect with someone, if only for a short time. Particularly when you get the chance to connect with other interns through co-living, you’ll find people with similar outlooks and in a similar situation to you. When you can share the highs and lows of your internship with other interns far away from home like you, suddenly you’ll find that the difficulties of adjusting to New York City become part of the charm. When you can bond over a train delay or an overbearing boss, the situation becomes lighter, and you’ll find yourself seeing things differently and even feeling at home.

Try new things in your new city

Travelling is a trade-off. You might feel homesick, but the new experiences you can find by going outside of your comfort zone to a new city can counteract that. New York is perhaps the most varied, buzzing city in the world, so take advantage of the many free events happening around the city throughout the year. Use websites such as Eventbrite and Facebook (where you can browse events near you by category) to try new things during your internship and you’ll soon forget that you even felt homesick in the first place.