How to Make Your Expat Feel Less Lonely

If you have a loved one living overseas, you can bet they get homesick. Whether living as an expat stationed with the military, traveling, backpacking or even as a college student, being thousands of miles from home can be very lonely. Here are 8 ways to make your loved one living as an expat less lonely.

Keep in touch. Send snailmail. Cards and letters sent through the mail are much more fun for anyone to open. Homemade cards can be even better. If you have kids, have them draw pictures or write letters to send to your loved one overseas. Send pictures as well, especially of kids. Kids grow so fast and an expat is missing many things.

Use the internet to keep in touch as well. Emails are fun to get even if not as exciting as regular mail. If your expat has a blog, keep up on it, and make comments. Chat with them online, or you can download a free online phone service such as Skype. On Skype you can talk for free if you both have the program. If internet access is a problem, send phone cards to encourage them to keep in touch over the phone.

Buy some favorite snacks not available outside of the U.S. Sometimes a favorite snack is what an expat misses most about the states. Sending a package of their favorite things is a very thoughtful way to show you are thinking of them back home.

Another fun thing to send in a package to a loved one living overseas is a copy of a magazine with news from the states such as Time or Newsweek, or a few issues of their hometown newspaper. Or you could send DVDs of U.S. television shows. Many of these are available online or in other countries, but recording your local news (complete with commercials!) could bring a fun reminder from home in a package.

Involve them in plans for their trips home. As if a loved one living overseas needs more reason to be excited for a visit to the states! Ask your expat what he or she would like to do, who to visit and what meals to have. They will feel special to be included, and will enjoy their visit even more. Having all the foods and seeing all they've missed will hopefully fill them up until their next trip home.

Send packages for U.S. holidays not celebrated in other countries. Some holidays are specific to the United States only. Others, such as Thanksgiving, may be celebrated but at a different time. Send a package of fun stuff to help your loved one celebrate American holidays overseas such as Halloween and Independence Day. Decorations, treats and a card would be fun.

Take an interest in their new life. If your loved one will be overseas for an extended period of time, more important than keeping them from feeling lonely is helping them adjust to their new surroundings. Taking an interest in the new things he or she is doing is very important. It will be difficult enough for your expat to merge two cultures, but being able to share their new experiences with you will help.

Encourage your expat to get involved, stay busy and get a routine. Refrain from interrupting your loved one's every day life with constant phone calls. Schedule a time to chat or talk if necessary.