By Leanora Karnath
When I made the choice to study abroad, the idea of FOMO or the “fear of missing out” never came close to crossing my mind. Why would I think about my small town college in Geneseo, New York when I’d be living in Florence? As someone who chose to spend the last semester of my undergraduate degree studying abroad, FOMO has happened suddenly and unexpectedly like when my friends tell me about how much fun they had on a snowday or when I hear about the upcoming spring concert I won’t be seeing.
Even if you’re not a senior, you’ve probably experienced FOMO when you think about home life. Here are a few tips to better deal with it:
- Find a balance between spending time with friends abroad and talking to loved ones at home. It might be tempting to schedule times to talk multiple days a week, but too much can be harmful. You run the risk of missing out on all of your surroundings in Florence when you’re too busy thinking about all you’re missing out on back at home. Don’t change your plans because you want to stay in your apartment and talk to those back home. Get out and explore! Afterwards, e-mail some photos and tell your family and friends the best part of your day in Florence. It’ll help make the city feel more like home.
- Go on the lookout for your favorite spots in Florence. How can you possibly think about what’s happening in your hometown when you’re experiencing something new and exciting? It may be an amazing view, colorful market, frothy cappuccino, flavorful dishes, or simply an eye-catching piece of street art. Strive to go out of your way and see the streets and places that rarely pop up with a Google search of Florence. You have adequate time to familiarize yourself with the culture and the areas most tourists never get to see.
- When you have a free day, take advantage of it. Don’t just sit around and aimlessly scroll on social media sites. Seeing posts and pictures makes FOMO even worse. Instead, write a list of places you want to see, things you want to eat, and museums to visit. After you’ve written the list, go out and cross some things off! The academic session will fly by, so don’t waste time. Been to all of the big museums? Check out this group of “small but big” Florentine museums.
- Be grateful for your opportunity to study abroad. Living in Florence is a once in a lifetime opportunity as I’m sure you already know. Don’t take it for granted by staying in when you don’t have class or clouding your mind with thoughts about what’s going on back home. Each day remind yourself that you’re living in a beautiful Italian city, one that should be appreciated and experienced to the fullest. You have the chance to go beyond the surface level of Florence during your time here. Take advantage of it!
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