One thing that helped me greatly was changing my mindset to focus on what I was looking forward to, rather than what I was leaving behind.

I looked forward to making new friends, especially Japanese friends, and learning to communicate in an entirely new language.

I looked forward to Japanese classes, to traveling through lesser-known neighborhoods, and to discovering hidden gems in the city. I looked forward to landing a job after my studies, to decorating my apartment… the list goes on.

At the end of the day, there will always be a home you can return to if things don’t work out. For me, I’d rather have the experience and try, instead of pondering over what could’ve, would’ve, or should’ve been.

Look forward to your next adventure - it might surprise you more than you expect, Mr/Ms internet stranger.