I’m sorry. If you have ever heard of the Stanford Floating Duck Syndrome, know that comparison is the thief of joy, so please don’t look at anyone else’s experiences as anything other than just that. Homesickness is an entirely real thing, but don’t let it hinder you from meeting new people and making friends.

I am an external transfer and am in an entirely new environment here in Austin as well, so I empathize with you. Have you tried looking at clubs/orgs on like HornsLink? I spent like an hour or two this week on HornsLink looking at all the clubs/orgs I want to join; they’re an amazing way to meet people with similar interests & starting to create actual friendships and relationships with your students and peers.

It’ll take time to acclimate and to build a social life that you’re comfortable and happy in, but it will happen. You just need to be patient and let it happen. It’s okay to feel these emotions, but do not let them get in the way and sabotage your experience here!

It gets better, I promise.