Navigating Freshman Life: Embracing Distance and Time

Transitioning to university life can be challenging, especially for students studying abroad. For many, the experience is marked by a unique blend of excitement and nostalgia. This is particularly true for first-year students like Samika Jain, who finds herself grappling with the complexities of distance from her home in Mumbai, India.

As Jain reflects on her experiences, the emotional weight of being away from family becomes evident. In a recent column dated November 9, 2025, she shares how simple moments, such as receiving a text from her mother with a photo of her morning cup of chai, evoke feelings of homesickness. Although the text carries no expectation of a response, it serves as a reminder of the comforts of home.

Jain’s feelings intensify during special occasions, such as Diwali, when she Facetimes her father. The vibrant lights of the festival illuminate his balcony, contrasting sharply with the cold autumn nights in Baltimore. As she hears the sounds of celebration, the physical distance from her family seems to amplify her sense of loneliness. The experience reveals how living in different time zones reshapes perceptions of home and connection.

Understanding Time and Distance

For Jain, the struggle lies not just in the geographical distance but in the dissonance of time. She describes how “good morning” messages arrive when the sky outside is dark, and inquiries about her day come before it has even started. This phenomenon creates a peculiar intimacy, allowing her to feel connected to her loved ones, yet acutely aware of their separation.

Initially, Jain attempted to bridge this gap by maintaining two clocks on her desk, staying up late for calls, and skipping meals to connect with friends. Over time, she realized that attempting to live in both places is ultimately futile. Acceptance becomes crucial; she learns to navigate the complexities of time, recognizing that it can stretch and warp, creating a space between her current life and her past.

Jain also grapples with guilt when she misses important moments, like not being able to wish her sister good luck before an exam due to exhaustion. These missed connections illustrate the emotional toll of being out of sync with family traditions and milestones.

Cultivating New Connections

Homesickness, Jain discovers, is less about missing a physical place and more about longing for shared experiences and moments in time. It encompasses missing family dinners that occur while she is in class, holiday celebrations that coincide with midterms, and the simple joy of being present with loved ones.

To cope, Jain is learning to build a new sense of belonging in a college town that operates on a different schedule. This process of adapting to her new environment involves embracing the concept of “unfinished moments.” There will always be calls she misses and celebrations that she witnesses only through a screen. Yet, she emphasizes the importance of self-forgiveness in these situations, recognizing that everyone is navigating their own lives and stories.

In her evening walks back from class, Jain finds solace in the beauty of the sunset, a moment that connects her with her family across the globe. She envisions the same orange hues lighting up the sky in Mumbai, allowing her to feel a fleeting sense of togetherness despite the miles that separate them.

Through her reflections, Jain highlights the resilience of first-year students who are navigating the complexities of distance and time. Her journey underscores the importance of maintaining connections, even when faced with physical separation. While the challenges are real, the experience of embracing both the new and the familiar ultimately shapes a deeper understanding of home and belonging.